VASSILIOS DEMETRIADES
President
UW Group
Vassilios DEMETRIADES served as Shipping Deputy Minister to the President of the Republic of Cyprus from July 2020 to February 2023. During his tenure, the strategic vision for Cyprus Shipping “SEA change 2030” was formulated, promoting an extroverted approach and a new philosophy and working structure within the Shipping Deputy Ministry (SDM). Vassilios demonstrated leadership at global and EU level in effectively responding to crises (COVID-19 and Ukraine war) taking charge of key actions to enable safe crew changes, formulating and implementing a national vaccination plan to cover 40000 seafarers, facilitating a fast-track process for seafarers affected by the war in Ukraine to open bank accounts and access their salaries.
He put forward a number of incentives and funding programs aiming to decarbonize shipping (Green Tax Incentives, “Research Innovation Shipping Environment” Program), and was actively involved in the formulation of a broad and diverse set of actions required to achieve emissions reduction targets at EU and IMO level. During his tenure Cyprus’ Blue Economy was further developed through the formulation of Cyprus’ Maritime Spatial Plan. He also took initiatives at global and regional level proposing an Agenda for the sustainable use of the Oceans by Commonwealth and promoting maritime safety in the Mediterranean through a proposal for a harmonized ship inspections regime.
The efficiency of SDM was further developed by creating the framework conditions for one-stop-shipping-shop through an EU funded project for the digital transformation of all SDM services already under implementation. During the same period a maritime passenger link between Cyprus and Greece was reinstated, after a 21-year hiatus, providing alternative connectivity through an effective framework of public subsidy. Vassilios placed great emphasis to the young generation aiming to create a culture for seafaring, maritime and blue studies and professions through innovative and interactive campaigns and initiatives. Prior to his appointment he served as a Policy Officer in the Directorate General of Mobility and Transport of the European Commission coordinating the EU maritime transport strategy and EU’s external maritime transport relations for 5 years, promoting the interests of the EU shipping industry at bilateral and multilateral level with all the major trading partners of the EU (US, China, India, Japan, Brazil, Iran). He was previously involved in the formulation and coordination of European Sustainable Shipping Forum and he has also served the European Commission as a Member of Cabinet of Commissioner Vassiliou in the formulation, communication and implementation of EU policies on education and vocational training. He has formerly served the Cyprus Public Administration as the Head of EU Affairs Unit at the Cypriot Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works formulating Cyprus’ national position to the EU on transport, telecommunications, shipping and integrated maritime policies and he was in charge of the overall coordination of the Cyprus Presidency to the EU pertaining to these areas. Vassilios served as the first Maritime Counsellor of Cyprus to the EU, from Cyprus accession to the EU in 2004 until the end of 2008, representing Cyprus to the EU in the fields of maritime transport, intermodal transport and networks, EU Integrated Maritime Policy, EU Space Policy, Global Navigation Satellite Systems. Previously he served the Maritime Administration of Cyprus from various posts putting forward visionary ideas and initiatives such as the Limassol Declaration on the EU Integrated Maritime Policy – one of the main priorities of the 2012 Cyprus Presidency to the Council of the EU. Vassilios was also a lecturer at the Cyprus Academy of Public Administration on EU policies and decision-making processes. He is the Chief Strategy Officer of UW Group leading the formulation and implementation of the Group’s vision and its strategic development. He is also the Founder of the VisionDo Advisory Ltd providing consultancy services to companies in meeting effectively their global and EU policy and regulatory challenges, promoting an extrovert and proactive approach in their organizational behavior. Since September 2024, he also holds the position of Director of Shipping, Yachting and Blue Economy at the Cyprus Investment Hub. He holds a BSc degree in Business Economics from Surrey University and an MSc degree in Management Science from the same University.
DOXIA NIKIA HADJIVASSILIOU
Ex-Officio President
KIRILL KORNEYCHUK
Vice President
XANTHOS KYRIAKOU
Vice President
COLUMBIA SHIPMANAGEMENT
Xanthos Kyriacou is an experienced leader in the maritime industry, presently holding the role of Regional Managing Director. With over two decades of experience in the shipping industry, he held various positions and played a pivotal role in expanding Columbia Shipmanagement’s (CSM) international footprint and operational excellence. Xanthos has also been instrumental in CSM’s strategic expansion. Most recently, he oversaw the opening of a new office in Dubai, enhancing the company’s presence in the Middle East and the offering of integrated maritime services.
VALENTINOS STELIOU
Acting General Manager
MARGARITA ALEXANDROU PAPADOPOULOU
Assistant General Manager
Margarita Alexandrou completed her studies in South Africa, in the field of Travel and Event Management and started her career in the hospitality industry in Cyprus. Expanding her areas of expertise, she took up profound training courses in Trading and Banking, as well as the Shipping sector, where she was employed for many years. She successfully, completed the shipping program, offered by the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (Cyprus Branch) in Collaboration with the Cyprus Shipping Chamber. Throughout her career, Margarita, has been constantly upgrading her business skills and expertise by taking up professional seminars and training courses, adding to her all-around knowledge of various industries in Cyprus. Margarita’s passion for event management, paired with excellent communication skills serve her well in her position of Assistant General Manager, with the Cyprus International Businesses Association, which she has held since 2007. Margarita is actively involved in the meetings and social activities of the Cyprus business community and constantly strives to enhance her business skills and knowledge of the business landscape. She is a WISTA Cyprus member. Moreover, she has served as President of the Ladies Circle Limassol and is currently on the Board of Wellspring – an Anti-Human Trafficking Non-Profit organisation – serving as the Vice-President. A firm believer in lifelong learning, she is at present expanding her area of expertise to obtain her CAPD Coaching Credentials. In 2024, she was awarded the Visionary Leadership Award – Global 100 – 2024 Woman In Leadership.
PAVLOS VARNAVAS
Executive Committee Member
ANDREAS PISHIAS
Executive Committee Member
MARIOS FOTIOU
Executive Committee Member
AVANTI HYLAS 2 CYPRUS LTD.
Marios Fotiou is a space systems engineer with more than a decade of experience in satellite communications. He is a graduate of Electronic Engineering from the University of Surrey and holds a Master’s degree in Spacecraft Systems and Satellite Communications from UCL’s Mullard Space Science Laboratory. Over the last years he has worked in Cyprus for Avanti Communications as a lead systems engineer in several satellite missions and as the HYLAS 4 satellite programme manager and spacecraft mission director up to its successful launch from French Guiana in April 2018. Since then he has taken the role of the Managing Director of Avanti in Cyprus running a diverse team of administrative, commercial and technical personnel supporting the operations of the company in Cyprus and the Middle East. He is also serving at the technical experts committee supporting the Minister of Communications and Works on issues of national space policy, that lead the country signing up a European Cooperate State agreement with the European Space Agency in 2016.
MARIANNA HADJIANDONIOU
Executive Committee Member
Executive HR Strategist / HR Consultant / Founder of “BizandLove”
Marianna Hadjiandoniou holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Surrey, UK, and is an esteemed member of the CIPD. With over two decades of extensive experience, Marianna has successfully formulated and implemented HR strategies for various local and international companies. Marianna is dedicated to combating workplace discrimination and promoting women’s rights through comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. She is the General Secretary of the Cyprus National Paralympic Committee. Marianna is also an active BPW Cyprus Federation of Business and Professional Women member, an accredited trainer by Cyprus’s Human Resource Development Authority, and a Certified Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) Professional since January 2021. From 2020 to 2023, she served as the Secretary of the CSR Cyprus Board. She is also a board member of the Limassol Red Cross branch and supports the association “One Dream One Wish,” contributing to significant community welfare projects. Her outstanding leadership in HR was recognized in 2023 at the international ‘The Leadership Awards’ in London. She also received the title ‘Woman of the Year’ at the prestigious international awards, Rewards 2024.
DEMETRIS ALETRARIS
Executive Committee Member
EMMA CAPITAL LTD
Mr. Demetris Aletraris is a professional with a vast experience of three decades in almost all the sectors of the financial industry and in managing large and reputable companies, who identifies and pursues strategic priorities and opportunities, with a proven successful track record and who builds long term relationships based on trust and integrity.
A Chartered Accountant, a member of the ICPAC, a graduate of LSE and a member of the Executive Board of OEB.
Mr. Demetris Aletraris is the CEO of Emma Capital Limited, which is one of the largest Investment Groups operating its Head Office in Cyprus, with Investments in the sectors of Energy, Gaming, Marinas, Pharmaceuticals, Logistics, E-Commerce and other and with a capitalisation of more than €1 billion and more than 3.600 employees. He is an Executive Director in all the Holding Companies of the Emma Group.
Mr. Demetris Aletraris was the Executive Director and CEO of OPAP Cyprus Limited from 2013 until early 2024, the largest Company in the gaming sector offering lottery products through a network of more than 200 Agencies.
During his leadership the Company doubled its Turnover, tripled its Profitability and enhanced its reputation to the highest level by being respected by both the Authorities and the Public.
In addition, he achieved to move the Company to be the CSR Leader of the Country and a Leader in giving in Health, Education, Culture, Athletics and Environment, turned around the Betting sector of the Cyprus operation by doubling its Profitability within two years and introduced the online betting operation, concurrently working in running the lottery operation, whereas he negotiated and agreed with the Ministry of Finance a 15-year Concession Agreement of exclusivity offering lottery products worth more than €400 million.
Mr. Demetris Aletraris began his career from KPMG London, continuing in KPMG Nicosia and then he served in the Insurance sector by being the Financial Controller of Pancyprian Insurance, General Insurance and the General Manager of CP Reinsurance, the largest Insurance entity at the time in Cyprus.
MICHAELLA PILLAKOURI
Executive Committee Member
ENALIAN CONSULTING LTD
Michaella Pillakouri holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and a dual Master’s degree in International Commercial and Maritime Law from Swansea University in Wales. She has been a member of the Cyprus Bar Association since 2016 and, as of January 2025 serves on the Board of Directors of the recently inaugurated Board of Directors of the Cyprus-Uzbekistan Business Association.
Michaella brings a diverse legal background, combining litigation experience before the Courts with in-house advisory roles for international corporate groups. This unique blend allows her to offer both strategic legal counsel and practical dispute resolution support.
With a strong foundation in commercial, corporate, employment, and gaming law, Michaella founded Enalian Consulting in 2019 to guide clients through complex legal landscapes across various industries. From structuring startups and negotiating contracts to advising international groups on headquartering, regulatory compliance, gaming frameworks and taxation, Michaella and her team bring a practical, business-focused approach to every legal challenge in both traditional and emerging industries.
MARIOS SOUROULLAS
Executive Committee Member
KENDRIS
Marios Souroullas was one of the first employees to join KENDRIS Cyprus in November 2017. His involvement and contribution were instrumental in the set-up of a fully-fledged office in Larnaca, as well as in the successful granting of an “Administrative Service Provider” licence by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission in 2018.
Marios Souroullas studied Accounting and Finance at the University of Manchester and has been an Associate Chartered Accountant since 2013. Prior to joining KENDRIS, Marios Souroullas rose through the ranks at KPMG Cyprus from Audit Junior to Assistant Audit Manager. In 2015, he joined KPMG UK in London where he worked as an Assistant Audit Manager in the Private Equity Funds department, further expanding his international knowledge and professional experience.
Marios Souroullas is CFO of KENDRIS (Cyprus) Ltd and team leader of the accounting team in Larnaca, which specialises in the bookkeeping of client entities in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.
