Born in Istanbul in 1954, Hamdi Akın graduated from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Gazi University. In 1976, he founded Akfen Holding, which currently operates in infrastructure and superstructure construction, seaport operations, maritime transportation, water distribution and wastewater services, energy, and real estate, investing in, managing, and coordinating its subsidiaries and affiliates.
In addition to his role as Chairman of the Board of Akfen Holding, he also serves as Chairman of the Board of Akfen Renewable Energy and Akfen GYO, and as a member of the Board of Mersin Port Operations (MIP).

He served as Chairman of the Board of TAV, the company he founded in 1997 to undertake the construction and operation of Turkey's first large-capacity airport in the aviation sector, one of the world's most challenging sectors, until 2017. In addition to his private entrepreneurship, Akın also implemented infrastructure, energy, and investment projects within the scope of privatization. He also carried his dynamism and diligence in the business world into civil society organizations, serving as a founder and executive in numerous voluntary organizations such as associations, foundations, and professional chambers. Hamdi Akın served as Vice President of Fenerbahçe Sports Club between 2000 and 2002; President of the Ankara Region Representative Board of the Metal Industrialists' Union (MESS) between 1992 and 2004; President of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Young Businessmen's Association (TÜGİAD) between 1998 and 2000; a member of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations (TİSK) between 1995 and 2001; a member of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TÜSİAD) and President of the Information Society & New Technologies Commission between 2008 and 2009; and a member of the Board of Directors of the Clean Seas Association (TURMEPA) between 2011 and 2018. Akın, one of the founders of the Chair of Contemporary Turkish Studies at the London School of Economics, has been a founding member and Honorary President of the Turkish Human Resources and Education Foundation (TİKAV), which he established in 1999 to provide Turkey with well-trained human resources. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Basketball Education and Support Foundation (BİDEV), and a member of the Board of Directors of the Bodrum Promotion Foundation (BOTAV). Hamdi Akın also serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fenerbahçe Sports Club and holds the honorary title of Chairman of the Board of Directors responsible for the Muğla and Denizli provinces of Hungary.