A graduate of Izmir Science High School and Bilkent University's Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department, İlik completed his master's degree (MBA) at Boğaziçi University's Department of Business Administration. He began his career as an MT at the Koç Group and worked for the Eczacıbaşı Group for 21 years, the last 10 of which were as the Eczacıbaşı Holding Human Resources Director. During this period, İlik and his team implemented numerous projects in various areas, including "Strategic HR Management, Talent Management, Employer Branding, and Flexible Working Models," both in Turkey and abroad. He also provided training and mentoring on numerous topics. İlik has spoken at numerous Human Resources conferences and served on various HR working groups abroad.

Utku İlik, who continues his work at his own organization, "INSIDEOUT," contributes to the development and transformation of organizations, teams, and individuals through development programs for senior leaders and management teams, cultural transformation programs that strengthen collective work, leadership and team coaching, and design projects focused on future workplaces and adaptable new working approaches.

Utku İlik is also a PCC-certified ICF coach and serves as a "Leader Trainer" in the "Coaching" and "Agility" faculties at ADLER Central Europe.