BankTech Series 2020

Christina Theofilidi

Christina Theofilidi was appointed Retail Banking General Manager and Member of the Executive Committee of NBG in December 2018. She was elected Executive Board Member in July 2019. She started her career in the banking sector in 1988 working for Societe Generale. Following her MBA, she joined Citibank for six years, holding positions in Retail Banking and Branch Network. In 1997, she joined Eurobank and held various senior positions in Retail Banking. From Commercial Manager of Eurobank Cards SA, Assistant General Manager of International Activities and General Manager Risk of Eurobank Household Lending S.A. until 2013 when she became the Managing Director of the same subsidiary company. In 2014, she joined the newly founded Troubled Assets Group and held the position of Retail Remedial General Manager. Between September 2016 and December 2018 she served as Retail Products and Individual Banking General Manager. Mrs. Theofilidi was born in Athens in 1967 and holds an MBA Degree from INSEAD (European Institute of Business Management) and a Bachelors Degree with a double major in Economics and Psychology from Swarthmore College of Pennsylvania, USA.

Antreas Athanassopoulos

Antreas Athanassopoulos joined Dixons Carphone Group in the UK as Chief Customer Officer and CEO Financial Services in May 2018 after having served as Vice President and CEO of the Greek operation since July 2013. In the Greek operation he led a major business transformation with significant achievements in terms of profitability, market share, net promoter score and employee engagement scores. All these achievements were based on ways to improve organic growth and sales conversion increase from 23% to 34% during these years.

Under his tenure he was awarded Manager of the Year prize in 2016 and 2017 by INFOCOM and by the Hellenic Management Association respectively. Antreas was General manager of Retail Banking at the National Bank of Greece from 2008 to 2013. He also carries over 15 years of CEO experience in retail banking at Eurobank and Piraeus bank in Greece. He has also worked as Senior Lecturer at Warwick Business School in the UK (1992-1997) and he also is a visiting professor at Nottingham Business School.

Under his academic activities he has published research in scholarly refereed journals including Management Science, Journal of Money and Credit Banking, Production and Operations Management, Journal of Operational Research Society, European Journal of Operational Research, Interfaces, Journal of Regional Science, International Journal of Production Economics, Journal of Productivity Analysis, Journal of Business Research, Journal of Management Studies, and European Journal of Marketing. He has a diploma in Mathematics from Patras University, an MSc in Statistics and Operational Research from Essex University and PhD in Operational Research from Warwick Business School and Post-Doc from London Business School.

Angelos Angelidis

Angelos Angelidis is a Greek national, born in Athens. He studied in the American College of Greece and holds a BSc in Marketing Management. He joined Mellon Group in 2002 and in 2005 assumed the General Management of Mellon Romania. Beginning 2009, Angelos relocated in Athens as Group Business Line Head Call Center and Debt Recovery services in the region of CESEE. From 2011 to 2018 he was the Managing Director of Mellon Contact Services. As of today, he is the President of the board and Managing Director for Melfin and EDS S.A. and Group Business Line Head for Call Center and Business Process Outsourcing services of Mellon Group. He is a President of the Board of Directors for ESEDA, the Greek member of FENCA. He has over 20 years of experience in senior management positions in competitive and emerging markets.

Damianos Charalampidis

Damianos Charalampidis is the Chief Digital Officer and Head of Retail Products in Alpha Bank and in charge for the Digital transformation of the Bank. Prior to this position he was the Group Chief Operational Officer of NBG. Damianos has more than 25 years of experience in the field of Financial Services and Telecommunications, serving as a c-level Executive at all 3 mobile operators in Greece. He is also the vice chairman in Alpha Venture, which is the Venture capital arm of Alpha Bank. He holds a BSc in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from John Moores University in Liverpool as well as an MSc in Digital Electronics from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST).

Haris N Constantinidis

Haris Constantinidis is co-founder of the entity that created Mellon Group and currently the CEO of Mellon Technologies S.A.. With a background of insightful business development and over 25 years of experience in banking solutions, he is responsible for the establishment and the evolution of a large part of the solutions offered by the company. Mr. Constantinidis is currently responsible for ensuring a data driven company that seeks innovation in the solutions offered and excellence in customer experience. Mr. Constantinidis has lived in the United Kingdom and Greece. He holds a BA degree in Economics & Mathematics from the University of Sussex and an MSC degree in Economics from University of Surrey in the UK.

Dr. Nicodemos Damianou

Nicodemos Damianou joined JCC Payment Systems Ltd as CEO in December 2017. Before that he served as Chairman of the Board Risk Committee of the Company since March 2014. Nicodemos holds a PhD in Security Management of enterprise distributed systems from Imperial College London, an ScB in Computer Science from Brown University, USA and an MBA from the University of Cyprus. He has more than 17 years of combined experience in the Banking industry, with emphasis on internal control systems and payments; before joining JCC he was heading the Operational Risk and Data Governance functions for the Bank of Cyprus Group.

Panagiotis Divriotis

Panagiotis currently serves as the Chief Retail Officer in Attica Bank responsible for the Retail Banking, the Branch Banking and the Digital Channels being on the forefront of the Bank’s digital and commercial transformation process. In the past he has held several executive positions in the Retail Banking sector both in Greece and abroad. His main interest and expertise lies in the intersection between the physical and digital world in Retail Banking including also Cards and payments. He graduated from the Marketing & Management Department of Athens University of Economics and Business and holds a Master Degree in Operational Research from London School of Economics (UK) and an MBA Degree from Bocconi School Of Management (IT).

Dimitris Economou

Dimitris Economou is Deputy General Manager, Head of the Small Business Segment General Division in Eurobank. The Small Business Segment aims to develop Small and Medium Enterprises through an integrated approach, covering all banking and business needs. Dimitris has extensive experience and specialization in Small and Medium Enterprises, having worked for 22 years in Corporate Banking, the last 11 of which as Sector Head, Corporate Banking, covering the geographical areas of Attica, Central Greece, Evia, Peloponnese, Western Greece, Ionian Islands and Rhodes. He studied Economic Sciences at the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens and holds an MBA from Leicester University Management School.

Oliver Gienow

Over 25 years of experience in the payment card arena, in managerial positions covering both geographies: Western as well as Central and Eastern Europe. Successfully managed multi-cultural teams. Oliver focussed on Product and Sales Management at Issuing and Acquiring sides of the card ecosystem. Track record of success in developing markets, creating brands, growing card portfolios and build sustainable client relationships. Roles held include positions at BfG Retail Bank (today Santander), MasterCard Europe and since 2011 Unicredit in CEE. Oliver is client-driven, open minded about new paths for compelling solutions, inspiring innovations, commercially experienced.

Alberto Guidotti

Alberto Guidotti, 20 years of managerial experience in process consulting (Accenture), in strategic consulting (Bain & Company) and as Head of Innovation of the leading Italian bank (Intesa Sanpaolo). For 7 years, Alberto has been an entrepreneur in digital transformation, founder of Euronovate Group, leader of a group of 6 companies in 6 countries around the world (Switzerland, Italy, Romania, Spain, USA, China) and over 200 bank customers all over the world. Businessman, innovator and dreamer about an easier world for everybody.

Stavroula Kampouridou

Stavroula Kampouridou is Head of the FinTech Innovation Hub and Advisor at the central Bank of Greece (BoG). Her focus is on the FinTech initiatives undertaken by the BoG, like the Hub created in March of 2019, and the upcoming launch of a Regulatory Sandbox. In addition, her focus is on the overall digital transformation of the bank through the fast procurement of relevant IT projects, like the new website that launched in September of 2019. Her main interests include: digital transformation, PSD2, SupTech, Blockchain, tokenization of assets, challenges that Big Techs pose for financial markets, and how all these can possibly transform the business model of supervised institutions and subsequently adjust the relevant regulations. Before joining BoG she was an IT Procurement Manager at NBG Group (2009 – 2016), heading the efforts of the sourcing unit, charged with an annual spending IT budget of €50M. Prior to that, she was a Hardware Sales Manager at IBM (2005 - 2009), responsible for the hardware sales in the Banking and Telecom sectors in Greece (€35M sales annually), achieving “Rookie of the Year” status (highest sales in IBM EMEA) her 1st year. She holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Athens with distinction, and an MSc in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University (on a full scholarship).

Konstantinos Kanavos

Konstantinos Kanavos was born and raised in Athens, Greece. He holds a BA in Business Administration from Coventry University and an MSc in Business Administration and Management from Kingston University. Konstantinos has worked over 10 years in the commercial sector and has led many sales & strategic marketing initiatives across various business and technology areas. Furthermore Mr. Kanavos has a significant working experience, with a 14-year track record in the banking sector and assumed various managerial positions, the majority of which has been in Retail Banking. In September 2019, he was assigned the position of Head of Business Banking Segment, at National Bank of Greece.

Alketa Lamce

Alketa Lamçe holds the position of Head of ICT Division for Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania. Mrs. Lamçe joined the Bank (former American Bank of Albania) in 1999 and has worked in different leading positions, such as Head of Information System Department and Deputy Head of IT. Before joining the bank, Mrs. Lamçe worked at Raiffeisen Bank Albania (former Savings Banks of Albania) and National Institution of Informatics and applied Mathematics (INIMA). Under her management, ISP Albania performed and achieved full alignment of the ICT application architecture with Intesa Sanpaolo Group Strategy. Mrs. Lamçe represents Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania in the Albanian Association of Banks as chairperson of the ICT Committee established in February 2017. She is also member in the Digital Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Albania, since September 2019. Alketa has a degree in Applied Mathematics, Faculty of Natural Sciences- University of Tirana, followed by specialization in software development at INIMA. She completed the Master in Business Administration, in Nebraska University Program in Tirana, and attended numerous advanced trainings on Information Technology area, Banking and Leadership Development.

George Marinos

George Marinos is the Head of Digital Transformation Division at National Bank of Greece responsible for areas like the new technology adoption, process simplification and optimization, customer journeys review, digital channels operation, etc. He is with the bank for the last 20 years working at the IT and technology field in various technical and managerial positions. Before NBG he worked as a software developer and IT consultant for private companies, banks, and research labs in Greece. He has studied at School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens.

Andreas Marneris

Andreas has more than 15 years’ banking experience across Western & Eastern Europe, having worked in commercial & remedial positions in the United Kingdom, China & Ukraine. Andreas joined Eurobank more than a decade ago, as Head of Consumer Lending in Universal Bank (Ukraine) & currently serves as Head of Cards Issuing & Loyalty Programs for the Bank’s Retail Products General Division. He holds an MBA degree from SDA Bocconi (Italy).

Vasilis Panagiotidis

Vasilis Panagiotidis is a graduate of International and European Studies Department of Panteion University where he completed his postgraduate studies in international economic, financial and banking law. He joined the Hellenic Bank Association (HBA) on October 2000. He is head of the payment systems, financial crime combating and physical security department. He is also head of the Hellenic Banking Institute (HBI), the training body of the Hellenic Bank Association. He represents the HBAs member-banks in committees and working groups of the European Banking Federation (EBF) and the European Payments Council (EPC). He is a member of the Board of Directors of DIAS SA, Hellenic Deposit and Investment Guarantee Fund and Hellenic Development Company and represents the ΗΒΑ in various legislative drafting committees.

Yannis Papakostas

Yannis is leading the Digital Transformation sector in Eurobank, with the responsibility for defining and overseeing the implementation of the Bank’s digital roadmap, in collaboration with the Business and in line with the Bank’s Digital Strategy. Before joining Eurobank, Yannis led Alpha Bank’s Digital Transformation and Innovation Division, being responsible for the bank’s key Digital Transformation Projects and the promotion of innovation within and outside the organisation. Yannis, has also held senior roles in Vodafone Greece and Frigoglass, while he has worked for a number of years in McKinsey & Company, focusing primarily in the Banking and Telecommunications sectors. Yannis holds a Diploma in Mechanical and Aeronautical engineering from the National Technical University of Athens and an MBA from the Cardiff Business School, where he graduated top of his class. He is married and has two children.

Manos Perdikaris

Manos is Business Unit Manager of Payment Solutions & services for Mellon Group of Companies. He has more than 26 years’ experience in payments across all areas of the value chain of Merchant Acquiring, having held senior roles within Mellon for the past 20 years. Manos brings diverse and extensive experience in the payments industry and financial services space, with a focus on building strong, long term relationships. He is passionate about making consumer payments seamless and supporting customers with an emphasis on leveraging innovation and bringing parties together. He works directly with senior executives in the industry including most of Tier 1 & 2 acquirers and issuers in SEE, Payment Service Providers, Payment schemes and Terminal vendors, resulting a great understanding of complex payment solutions, innovation and applicable business models. Manos holds diplomas in Industrial automation and telecommunications engineering.

Nikos Petrakis

Nikos Petrakis is the Senior Director of Cards Business in Piraeus Bank responsible for the commercial development and operations of cards products. Nikos has more than 24 years banking experience starting with Citibank Greece in 1996 and then to Alpha Bank in 2014, where he held various senior positions with the responsibility for the development and management of Investment Products, Operations, Credit Cards, Merchant Acquiring and Portfolio Management. In November 2017, he joined Piraeus Bank as Head of the Merchant Acquiring & ePayments and since December 2017 was appointed Head of the Card Business management. Mr. Petrakis holds a BA Hons in Business Administration from the University of Hertfordshire in England.

Panagiotis Polydoros

Panagiotis joined the Strategy & Business Development department of Mastercard in March 2017. His responsibilities include Product Management, with a focus on Premium & Commercial Segments, Open Banking, Instalment and Benefits. Prior to his current position, Panagiotis was a Manager for Deloitte in the Strategy & Operations service line. Panagiotis worked for Bloomberg London as a Fixed Income Sales Associate, covering JP Morgan’s account. He interned at Mazuma Capital Management (London), a Fund of Hedge Funds focusing on the Systematic CTA Hedge Fund universe. Academically, Panagiotis has graduated from the MSc in Management at London Business School, while also having completed the Summer School in Financial Markets at London School of Economics. He also holds a Diploma with Distinction in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Finally, Panagiotis holds the CFA Level I.

Effie Presvia

Effie joined Attica in June 2020. She is member of the ExCo of the bank Leading the Areas of IT & Digital Technology, Organization Department & Backoffice Operations. From 2016 to 2020, Effie was a Director in Accenture, Cyprus Lead and Digital Technologies. In parallel to her involvement in managing Accenture clients, she was leading the areas of Digital & New Business, as well as Cyprus in the Financial services field. Also for 2 years she held a consultancy position at Viochalco’s Digital Transformation & Innovation Board, reporting directly to the Owners. Additionally, for several years she was the only female representative since of Information, Technology & Communication -EIΠ of EEDE. Effie has over 18 years of experience in Financial Services. She started her professional career at Accenture and in few years she joined Eurobank. In 2005 she joined Eurobank's group International IT department and took over the Program Management of Polbank's establishment, Eurobank's subsidiary in Poland. In 2007 she was appointed Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Eurobank Stedionica S.A., in Belgrade, Serbia. From 2010- 2016, she was appointed Director of e-Business Sector of Eurobank Group and then she rejoined Accenture Greece’s Technology Consulting as a Senior Manager. Effie holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Piraeus.

Yannis Serafeimidis

With more than 20 years of experience in retail banking distribution and lending, Yannis is currently the Head of Branch Network in Eurobank. Previous positions include Head of Retail Banking & Head of Branch Network in Postbank, Bulgaria and Head of Small Business Banking in Bancpost, Romania. Yannis has a management consulting background and holds a BSc in Economics from University College London (UCL)& an MSc in International Relations from London School of Economics (LSE).

Lorenzo Tassan - Bassut

Senior Executive Director with more than 25 years of working experience in the Financial Industry, including leading the fields of Operations/IT, Financial and non-Financial Risk Management. Strategic leader balanced with strong execution and well versed in building and transforming organisations. Culturally astute and able to adapt well in diverse environments, having worked in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Moscow, Budapest, Amsterdam and Curacao (The Dutch Antilles).

Prof. Markos Zachariadis

Professor Markos Zachariadis holds the Greensill Chair of Financial Technology (FinTech) and is Full Professor of Information Systems at Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS), at the University of Manchester. He is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Financial & Monetary Systems and a FinTech Research Fellow at the Cambridge Centre for Digital Innovation (CDI), University of Cambridge. Professor Zachariadis’ research sits at the cross section of economics of digital innovation, financial technology studies, and network economics, and has studied extensively the economic impact of ICT adoption on bank performance, the diffusion of payment networks, and the role of data & standards in payment infrastructures (SWIFT), financial markets (LEI), and digital banking (Open Banking), among other things. Prior to joining AMBS, Prof. Zachariadis was Associate Professor in Management Information Systems & Digital Innovation at Warwick Business School, University of Warwick – where he also directed the Executive Education Diploma in Digital leadership – Visiting Professor in Financial Technologies (FinTech) at Ivey Business School, Western University, Research Associate at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School, Visiting Scholar at London Business School, and Research Economist at the Centre for Economic Performance, London School of Economics.

Stergios Zlatanos

Stergios Zlatanos is currently responsible for Piraeus Bank’s Small Business Segment, with particular focus on strategy and commercial development. He has more than 20 years of experience, mostly in the banking & financial services industry. In Piraeus Bank, he has also been involved in the bank’s international retail operations and in setting up and developing affluent banking. Prior to Piraeus Bank he worked in the UK, Spain, Germany and Italy for Barclays, Abbey National (currently Santander) and Marconi (Telecommunications). He holds degrees in Marketing, Business &Technology and a Master’s degree in International Business Administration.