Alan C. Mellaart

Alan C. Mellaart is a highly experienced management consultant in the field of executive search with over 28 years of experience in the industry.

He is the Vice Chairman of The British Chambers of Commerce in Turkey (BCCT), one of the UKTI's key strategic partners within the 20 fastest growing economies worldwide. 

Since 2005, Alan is also the member of Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), a New-York based business consulting and services organisation. 

Alan worked as a management consultant in executive search at Egon Zehnder International from 1993 to 2001. He then became a partner at K Partners, an associate of Korn Ferry, where he focused on efficiently addressing the recruitment needs of multinational and local clients.

Alan's extensive business experience dates back to his tenure with Spinneys (1948) Ltd., a prominent distributor and retailer in Saudi Arabia. He also served as a Territory Manager at The Welcome Foundation pharmaceutical company and as a Sales Manager at Tetra Pak in Turkey.

Having graduated with joint honors in Modern Middle Eastern Studies from Durham University in the United Kingdom, Alan's academic background provided him with a solid foundation for understanding the complexities of the region. He further enhanced his knowledge through the Advanced Executive Program at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management of Northwestern University in 1998.

Alan has also published ‘James Mellaart, the journey to Çatalhöyük’ on which the 2021 BBC documentary ‘Raiders of the Lost Past: the world’s first city’ has since been based.

As the Managing Director of Mellaart International, Alan plays a crucial role in maintaining client relationships and leading the team in executing regional and local executive searches flawlessly. He is dedicated to delivering the highest level of service and helping companies secure executives with the right skills, experience, and cultural compatibility for their success in a competitive marketplace.

Mellaart International is an esteemed member of the IMD International Search Group, a global affiliation of premier executive search firms known for their expertise in their respective markets. Alan firmly believes that human capital is the key to a company's success, and his firm focuses on identifying, recruiting, and retaining top talent to drive business performance and growth.

Alan Mellaart was born in Istanbul in 1955 where his parents were resident, and as a child attended all his father’s archaeological excavations in Turkey including Çatalhöyük 1961-65. He was educated at Cokethorpe Boarding School, near Oxford and went to Durham University, Hatfield College, where he studied joint honours in Modern Middle Eastern Studies. 

He began his career in 1993 at Egon Zehnder International, a prominent executive search firm, where he worked until 2001. Following that, he became a partner at K Partners, an associate of Korn Ferry, until 2004. In September 2004, he founded his own company, Mellaart International, with the aim of being the leading executive search firm specializing in Turkey, the Middle East, Iran, Pakistan, Egypt, and North Africa.

Alan holds a joint honors BA degree in Modern Middle Eastern Studies from Hatfield College, Durham University, United Kingdom. In 1998, he attended the Advanced Executive Program at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University. Before entering the consulting field, Alan gained 15 years of business experience between 1977 and 1992. He worked for Spinneys (1948) Ltd. as distributors and retailers in Saudi Arabia, The Welcome Foundation pharmaceutical company as Territory Manager, and Tetra Pak as Sales Manager in Turkey.

Alan, a British national born in Istanbul, is fluent in Turkish. He is the son of Arlette and James Mellaart, a retired lecturer in Anatolian and Near Eastern Archaeology at London University. His parents are renowned for their discovery of Çatalhöyük, one of the world's earliest Neolithic urban sites dating back to 7000 BC.

As the Managing Director of Mellaart International, Alan leads client relationships and ensures prompt response to their needs. He coordinates the team in executing complex regional and local searches flawlessly. During his career, he has also worked with multinational and local clients, efficiently fulfilling their recruitment needs.

Mellaart International, an international management consulting and executive search firm, operates on a retained basis and focuses on Turkey, the Middle East, Iran, and Central Asia. The company is a member of the IMD International Search Group, a global affiliation of top-tier executive search firms. Mellaart International believes that identifying, recruiting, and retaining exceptional talent is key to a company's success in a competitive marketplace. They recognize the importance of executives with the right mix of skills, experience, and cultural compatibility in leading organizations through rapid change and growth.

Published Work

Alan C. Mellaart's “James Mellaart: The Journey to Çatalhöyük” was published by Archaeology & Art Publications in December 2020. The book delves into the life and achievements of his father, James Mellaart, a trailblazing archaeologist who made groundbreaking discoveries about Turkey's prehistoric era. 

Through meticulous research and personal insights, Alan explores his parents' lives and family history, providing a backdrop of the social milieu in which they thrived, including the vibrant atmosphere of a summer palace on the Bosphorus. 

The book vividly recounts James Mellaart's archaeological excavations, particularly his groundbreaking work at Çatalhöyük, an extraordinary Neolithic site that revealed previously unknown art, culture, and societal complexities. With a wealth of historical reports, eyewitness accounts, and expert assessments, the book offers a comprehensive examination of James Mellaart's immense contributions to the field of archaeology in Turkey and the broader Near East. 

Enhanced by colorful illustrations and previously unseen archival materials, including personal notebooks and accounts, the book sheds new light on the life and legacy of one of archaeology's most significant and controversial figures.

Alan aims to be recognized as the "best in class" firm in the industry, particularly focusing on Turkey and expanding its reach to encompass the Middle East, Iran, Pakistan, Egypt, and North Africa.

With this vision, Alan aspires to provide exceptional executive search services that exceed client expectations. He aims to differentiate Mellaart International by delivering outstanding results, demonstrating a deep understanding of the local markets, and providing tailored solutions that address the unique needs and challenges of businesses in these regions. 

By striving to be the best in class, Alan C. Mellaart envisions Mellaart International as a trusted and sought-after partner for organizations seeking top-tier talent and strategic leadership.