IDEA - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Chief Digital Officer / Bank of Cyprus
• Chief Digital Officer at Bank of Cyprus

Demetris is the Chief Digital Officer at Bank of Cyprus since January 2022. He is responsible for the Bank's Digital Channels, the Digital Economy Platform and the delivery of the Digital Transformation initiatives. He joined Bank of Cyprus in 2017 as Manager Digital Transformation to oversee the delivery of the Bank's Digital Transformation programme. Prior to joining Bank of Cyprus, Demetris held various technology roles in the UK working for UBS Investment Bank from 2007 to 2012, and at Citibank from 2012 until 2016 where he most recently held the position of Global Head of Futures eTrading technology. On his return to Cyprus, he took over the role of Chief Product Developent Officer at FxPro Financial Services. Demetris holds a BEng in Computing from Imperial College, London, UK, and is also a CFA Charterholder.

Job Titles:

• CEO
• Founder
• Founder and Managing Director of ADRAKSE

Angelos Vouldis is the founder and Managing Director of ADRAKSE. An innovative organisation with the aim to inform, train, educate and inspire parents and students in the field of studies and career development. He is also involved in numerous projects that deal with business rebranding and sales performance improvement and holds non-executive directorship positions in successful corporations. Angelos is also an academic lecturer at several local and international universities in the areas of Business Strategy, Innovation and Sales Management, as well as an editorial member of the Electronic Journal of Knowledge Management and the Journal of Organisational Studies and Innovation (JOSI). He holds a PhD in Business Performance (Middlesex University), a Master's degree in Business Management and Operations (University of Patra) and a diploma in Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics from the Polytechnic School (University of Patras). Beyond his academic career his resumes trace a history of extensive management background, experience and accomplishment in all aspects of strategic planning, performance management, sales and marketing management with the Mercedes-Benz Cyprus. He has a solid entrepreneurial approach to business and academic initiatives and have been cited for insight and creativity in developing workable solutions to expand operations, customer accounts, and bottom-line profits.

Job Titles:

• Chairman
• Deputy CEO
• Member of the INTERNAL TEAM
• Chairman Deputy CEO & Chief of Business Bank of Cyprus

Dr. Charis Pouangare is the Deputy CEO and heads the Business Banking Sector for the Bank comprising of the Retail Banking Division, the SME Banking Division, the Corporate Banking Division, the International Banking Division and the Digital Channels, Corporate Affairs Division and Innovation & Entrepreneurship Centre. He is responsible for defining the strategy of all of the aforementioned Divisions under his responsibility and help achieve the strategic objectives of the Group. He is also responsible for the guidance of the Directors and Managers of the above Banking sectors, in developing their individual strategic targets and implementing their plans. His aim is to manage and develop customer engagement, so as to increase the Bank's market share and also develop and provide products and services that meet customer needs. Continuously he has to coordinate, support and follow-up the business activities of the component under his responsibility for the purpose of implementing the strategy and achieving its business objectives. Prior to his appointment as Deputy CEO, he held the position of the Director of Consumer & SME Banking (2009 - August 2019). Previously, Charis served the Bank of Cyprus Group through various strategically important positions. Before joining the Bank of Cyprus Group, Charis spent two years in Boston and Tokyo as a Civil Engineer Consultant. Charis holds a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) and a Master of Science (MSc) in Civil Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States, as well as a Diploma in Civil Engineering from the National Technical University in Greece. He is Chairman of the Board of Director of IDEA Innovation Centre and a Member of the Boards of Directors of BOC Oncology Centre, the Cyprus Cancer Research Institute and the Board of Cyprus Employers & Industrialists Federation (OEB)

Job Titles:

• Founder and Managing Director / Excelix Ltd
• Founder and Managing Director of Excelix

Georgios is the Founder and Managing Director of Excelix, a boutique consulting firm specializing in business transformation, innovation strategy & strategic partnerships.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Associate Professor of Management Information Systems

Dr. Panos Markopoulos Director | Centre For Entrepreneurship University of Cyprus Panos Markopoulos is Associate Professor of Management Information Systems in the Department of Business and Public Administration of the University of Cyprus, and Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship, Univesrity of Cyprus (c4e.org.cy). Dr. Markopoulos completed his PhD in the University of Pennsylvania studying the mechanism by which consumers receive information about products and services in electronic markets.His professional experience includes the Athens Stock Exchange, IBM Research, and the management consulting firm McKinsey & Co, where he consulted for the top management of leading corporations in Europe, USA and Canada. As an academic, he has taught in Cornell University and the Wharton Business School, and has published in top tier journals including Management Science.

Job Titles:

• Officer Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center Bank of Cyprus

George Pelekanos is working as Entrepreneur & Innovation Officer at IDEA since September 2018. He joined the Bank in April 1999. He served as a Clerk at Laiki Telebank, Administrative Officer Telebank, Officer at Wealth Management Services (Operations WM), Officer Electronic Service System Support at Alternative Delivery Channels and Officer Business Solutions Dept ADC. He studied Business Administration (Associate degree) at Cyprus College.

Job Titles:

• Member of the INTERNAL TEAM
• Executive Director People & Change Bank of Cyprus
• Regional Manager for the Corporate Arrears Management Units

Irene is the Executive Director People & Change at Bank of Cyprus since January 2022. She is responsible for the Human Resources Division, the Legal Services Division, the CEO Office, the Transformation Office, and the Corporate Affairs department. She joined the Bank in 2002 as a Management Trainee and then served at key positions in Retail Banking, Corporate Banking, and Human Resources for the Limassol region. In March 2014, Irene was appointed Regional Manager for the Corporate Arrears Management Units in Limassol, a position she held until June 2016. Until August 2019 she served as Manager of Corporate Banking at Centre 2 Limassol, while from September 2019 to December 2021 she headed the Human Resources Division. Irene holds a BSc in Mathematics and Business Studies from Warwick University, UK, as well as an MSc in Banking and International Finance from Bayes Business School (City, University of London). She is a member of the Board of Directors of the IDEA Innovation Centre, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation.

Job Titles:

• Officer Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center Bank of Cyprus

Maria Evgeniou is working as an Entrepreneur & Innovation Officer at IDEA since December 2019. She joined the Bank in 2007, having collaborated as a historical research associate with the bank's Cultural Center for a length of time. She has served as a Cultural Officer and in recent years as a Customer Service Officer, assisting in all matters both local customers in-branch and overseas through electronic channels, oftentimes acting as a Customer Service Relationship Officer. Along with her diverse experience in the banking sector and research, her organizational and communication skills, she brings with her an enthusiasm in promoting innovative entrepreneurship to youths in Cyprus. Maria holds a BA in History and Archaeology from the University of Cyprus.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Manager Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center Bank of Cyprus

Panayiotis is leading the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center of the Bank of Cyprus, having the responsibility for IDEA Innovation Center - the largest Incubator-Accelerator for Startups in Cyprus and the Business Academy which develops financial and digital literacy in SMEs. During his long career in the banking sector in Cyprus he served in various departments and positions which enabled him to get involved in Intrapreneurship. He served as Manager of the Leasing Department of the Bank, Secretary and President of the Finance House Association promoting members best interests to the various government departments and to the House of Parliament. The Association was the initiator for the introduction of new leasing legislation in Cyprus. The next move in his career was to serve as Head of the Governance Department of the Bank comprising Compliance, Regulatory and Complaints Units. Following a service as Manager Personal Lines in Genikes Insurance, he is now leading the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center of the Bank of Cyprus and he is today a coach trainer, mentor, and advisor to young entrepreneurs from idea-stage to revenues and investment. He holds a BSc (Hons) - First Class in Business Finance and Economics - University of East Anglia, an MBA with specialization in New Ventures (London University), a diploma from Imperial College, and he is an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

Job Titles:

• Digital Marketing Director
• Marketing, Advertising, Media

Job Titles:

• Entrepreneur in Residence

Simos is passionate about startups and entrepreneurship and loves bringing new ideas to life. He is currently combining his passion for good food and technology and working hard on growing Yumbles.com, the UK's leading marketplace for artisan food, a company which he co-founded with Katie Kitiri. Prior to this Simos also co-founded PeoplePerHour, which is today one of the largest marketplaces for freelance services globally. Before getting involved with startups, Simos has worked for top technology companies like Accenture and Amadeus in various roles and graduated with First Class Honours from Cambridge University

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Areti Charidemou & Associates LLC in 2010 As an Associate
• Partner / Areti Charidemou & Associates LLC

Socrates graduated with an LL.B from the University of Essex in 2009 and obtained an LL.M in Commercial Law from the University of Edinburgh in 2010. His thesis was on Mergers and Acquisitions (Council Regulation 139/2004). He qualified as an Advocate in 2011. Socrates joined Areti Charidemou & Associates LLC in 2010 as an Associate and was appointed Head of the Corporate and Commercial Department in 2012. Partner and a Board Member of the Law Firm, Areti Charidemou & Associates LLC, dealing with a broad variety of transactions related to Company Law, Tax Law, International Trusts, Funds, Shipping Law, Banking and Finance Law and Contract Law. He advised various European Banks in cross border financing transactions and securitization and he has advised major ship owning and ship management companies in relocating / establishing new ventures using Cyprus as their flag of choice. He has been involved in the preparation and filing of applications for obtaining permits for regulated business (such as AIF and CIF) from both the Central Bank and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission. In several occasions he has provided his legal opinion to the Underwriters and Joint Bookrunners in regards to the issuance and listing of Bonds, IPOs and SPOs. Finally, he is a Cyprus company law expert, successfully involved in structuring corporate entities and complicated structures, reorganisation of group companies, acquisitions, corporate governance regulation, conflicts and other related matters.

Job Titles:

• Chief Commercial Officer / Fameline Holding Group
• Chief Commercial Officer of Fameline Holding Group

Stephanos is the Chief Commercial Officer of Fameline Holding Group (FHG). He is a highly motivated and passionate business leader with extensive experience in policy making, strategy, and business development. Fascinated by the technology disruption in new sectors. A maritime and shipping industry enthusiast.