Panellists of the 11th City of London Biennial Meeting

Profiles

Mr Axel Moltzau Aas, Managing Director, Clarksons Project Finance

• 2004 - Present, Clarksons Project Finance AS, Founder / Senior Partner
• 2002 - 2004 Fearnley Finans AS, Project finance broker
• 1997 – 2002, Rodskog Shipbrokers Ltd. Hong Kong, Ship Broker
• 1993 – 1997, Fearnley Consultants AS, Analyst and later Managing Director Education
• 1992-1993 City University, London MSc (Shipping, Trade & Finance)
• 1989-1993 University of Warwick, Birmingham BSc in Management Science
• 1987-1989 The Norwegian Navy’s Officer Training Academy, Second Lieutenant.

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Dr Roar Adland, Global Head of Research, SSY

With over twenty years of professional experience in shipping market analysis, freight derivatives trading and applied research, Dr. Roar Adland has built a reputation as one of the most outspoken shipping experts in the world today.

Beginning his career as protégé of Dr. Martin Stopford at Clarkson Research, he has since been portfolio manager of freight derivatives at Clarkson Fund Management and chair professor of shipping at the Norwegian School of Economics before taking up the Global Head of Research position at shipbroking giant SSY in May 2023.

Having gained a Ph.D from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Adland is widely regarded for his unique combination of technical knowledge and commercial insight and has built up a substantial following on social media.

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Professor Amir Alizadeh, Professor of Shipping Economics and Finance, Bayes Business School

Amir Alizadeh is a Professor of Shipping Economics and Finance and a member of the faculty at the Centre for Shipping, Trade, and Finance at Bayes Business School. Currently, he lectures in Oil and Energy Transportation and Logistics, Advanced Quantitative Methods, Shipping Investment and Finance, Shipping Risk Management, Oil and Energy Trading, and Energy Project Investment and Finance.

His research interest includes modelling freight markets and markets for ships, derivatives and risk management in financial, commodity and shipping markets, as well as forecasting and analytics. He has published in several academic journals in areas of energy, shipping, risk management, finance, and economics.

He also has visiting positions at the University of Geneva and Copenhagen Business School, ESCP Europe, and serves on the Editorial Board of several academic and industry journals and acts as a member of the scientific committee of the Swiss Research Institute on Commodities (SRIC).

He has been in close contact with the maritime industry, acting as an adviser and consultant for a number of trading and shipping companies and institutions, including the Baltic Exchange, TotalEnergies, A.P. Moller-Maersk, Glencore, Standard Chartered, Polaris Capital Management, Barclays, Geneva Shipping and Trading Association (GTSA), amongst others.

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Mr Kristian Andersson, Chief Executive Officer, SEB Ukraine

Kristian has been based in Kyiv, Ukraine, since 2008 and is the CEO of SEB’s subsidiary bank in Ukraine. He joined the Swedish banking group SEB in 1994, and has since held various positions with the bank in Stockholm, Frankfurt, Oslo and Kyiv.

Prior to transferring to Kyiv he was within Structured Finance and Head of the SEB Export & Project Finance team in Frankfurt for 4 years. He started out his career as an Officer in the Merchant Marine and in the Royal Swedish Navy.

This included 7 years as an Officer aboard various types of merchant vessels sailing for Wallenius Lines, Atlantic Container Line, and Lindblad’s Special Expeditions, as well as service in the Royal Swedish Navy. He holds a B.Sc. in Nautical Science from Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg (1985), and a M.Sc. in Shipping, Trade & Finance from Bayes Business School, City of London (1993).

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Professor Konstantinos Andriosopoulos, Affiliate Professor of Finance and Energy Management, Alba Graduate Business School - The American College of Greece; Academic Director, HELLENiQ Energy Center for Sustainability and Energy; CEO, Akuo Energy Greece SA

Professor Dr. Kostas Andriosopoulos is the Academic Director of the HELLENiQ Energy Center for Sustainability and Energy at Alba Graduate Business School, The American College of Greece, and Affiliate Professor of Finance and Energy Management.

He previously held academic positions at Audencia Business School in France as Full Professor and Founding Director of the Energy Transition & Sustainability Center, and at ESCP Business School, where he was Academic Director of energy management programs and Founding Executive Director of the Energy Management Centre.

He has published over 50 peer-reviewed papers in top journals, including Energy Economics, Journal of Banking and Finance, and Energy Policy, and serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Energy Markets. Kostas chairs the Energy Committee of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and sits on the boards of the Global Gas Center (World Energy Council) and the Hellenic Association for Energy Economics, which he founded. He has organized major international energy forums, including Greece’s flagship Energy Transition Symposium and the Southeast Europe Energy Forum.

Kostas has served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of DEPA (2014–2015, 2019–2021), Senior Advisor to the Hellenic Ministry of Environment & Energy, and Head of the Decarbonisation Fund of the Greek Islands. He contributed to national legislation on e-mobility and represented Greece in climate diplomacy at COP28 and COP29. In his corporate role, he is CEO of Akuo Energy in Greece, recently acquired by Ardian, and Co-founder & CEO of Deeprunner.ai, a Silicon Valley–based AI solutions company.

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Professor Panagiotis Angeloudis, Professor of Transport Systems & Logistics, Imperial College

London Professor Panagiotis Angeloudis is the Director of the Transport Systems and Logistics Laboratory, based in the Centre for Transport Engineering & Modelling at Imperial College London. He is also a Turing Fellow with the Alan Turing Institute.

His research focuses on the intersection of autonomous systems, multi-agent modelling and network optimisation and their applications to freight distribution and passenger transportation. His research group specialises in developing high-performance, scalable models that capture the interactions between users, providers, infrastructure and operating regimes.

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Mr Harris Antoniou, Founder and Managing Director, Neptune Maritime Leasing Ltd.

Harris is the Founder and Managing Director of Neptune Maritime Leasing Ltd, a company established to transform the maritime finance space, and provide access to funding for the fleet renewal required to decarbonize the global merchant fleet.

Harris is also the founder of Codrus Capital AG, a company focusing on transformative investments and advice in high impact technologies and real assets. Currently an Investor and Board member of Natech SA, a rapidly growing financial software firm that builds and operates 360º Financial Software Solutions Serving Banks, Fintechs, E-money Institutions & Companies. Harris was instrumental in the set-up of Snappi, the first fully digital bank in Greece and is a member of its Board of Directors.

Over the past 25 years Harris has held various C-Suite executive and management positions in leading institutions in the financial and investment sectors, focusing on Energy, Commodities and Transportation, debt and equity investments, as well as in investment banking. He is passionate about technology, education and digital transformation. He was one of the first signatories of the Poseidon Principles, a supporter of United World Colleges in the Netherlands, and member of Abundance 360. Under his guidance NML joined as an associate member Helmepa and United Nations Global Compact.

Since May 2023 Harris is a board member and treasurer of “Komvos-Node, Networks of Global Hellenism”, a non-profit organization that was established in 2021 in Greece by prominent Greek scholars, scientists, entrepreneurs, and thinkers of Greece and the Hellenic diaspora. KOMVOS aims at promoting dialogue and initiatives related to scientific, technological and societal growth. He is also vice chairman of the Zug Commodity Association.

Harris holds an MSc in Business Administration and Management from the University of Piraeus, Greece, and an MBA from Rotterdam School of Management (Erasmus University), the Netherlands. He also successfully completed the General Management Program of Harvard Business School.

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Professor Charles Baden-Fuller, Centenary Professor of Strategy, Bayes Business School

Charles Baden-Fuller FBA is the Centenary Professor of Strategy, Bayes Business School, City and St Georges, University of London.

He has raised more than £5 million for management research into the topic of business models for the digital economy, managing biotechnology companies and knowledge management.

The strategy research group at Bayes, that he led for many years, is one of the strongest research groups in strategy in Europe and under his leadership it frequently won the London Financial Times accolade of being in the top 10 globally for strategy teaching for MBAs.

Charles is currently a trustee to the British Academy and has been adviser and trustee to several major charities. His previous roles include being director/adviser to several high-tech biotechnology companies and strategy adviser to CEOS of several major UK and EU corporations.

Charles’ honours include being a Fellow of the British Academy (and Chair of the Management Section), Senior Fellow at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Editor-in-chief of Long Range Planning 1999-2010, Fellow of the Strategic Management Society, Fellow of Academy of Social Sciences, and Fellow of British Academy of Management.

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Mr Taimuraz Badtiev, Chief Executive Officer, Fidartis

Taimuraz Badtiev holds an MSc in Energy, Trade and Finance from The STF Centre (2005) and an Executive MBA from London Business School (2013). He has held executive roles with leading companies in the LNG industry across the Far East, Middle East, and Europe, with responsibilities spanning both trading and shipping.

Most recently, Taimuraz successfully established and led the LNG business from the ground up for EnBW, Germany’s third largest utility.

Currently, at Fidartis, he is developing an innovative shipping service aimed at making LNG transportation more accessible and efficient for shippers.

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Professor Apurv Bagri, President and CEO; Medtist Group of Companies; Honorary Visiting

Professor, Bayes Business School The Hon Apurv Bagri is the President and CEO of the Metdist Group of Companies, a multi-generation diversified set of global family businesses. The group is involved in a range of industries including copper manufacturing and trading, Financial Services, Virtual Assets, Fintech, hospitality, retail and digital media, in geographies spanning Europe, the Middle East, and South and South East Asia.

He is Chairman of the Board and non-executive director of HKEX Global Commodities Ltd, Senior Advisor to the Board of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX), Member of the International Advisory Council and past Member of the Board of HKEX (May 2016 – April 2025).

Mr Bagri is past Chairman and current Board member of the International Wrought Copper Council (IWCC), representing the global copper fabricating industry. He is Chairman Emeritus of London Business School and past Chairman of the Governing Body (2014-2023), Honorary Rector and former Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council of City St George’s, University of London, and a visiting Professor, Bayes Business School.

Mr Bagri is an Honours graduate in Business Administration from Cass Business School in London and has an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science from City, University of London, and an Honorary Fellowship from London Business School. He also served on the Board of The Royal Parks as Chairman 2008-2016.

June 2024 Mr Bagri was awarded with the “Bronze Bauhinia Star” (BBS) by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, for his long-term service and dedication to the community and financial market of Hong Kong. In 2017 he was awarded “Copper Man of the Year” by the Copper Club in New York.

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Mr Nicolas Bornozis, President, Capital Link

With a 40+ years career in the US financial and capital markets, since 1995, Nicolas Bornozis is the Founder & President of Capital Link, Inc. an international investor relations and strategic advisory group focusing on the maritime, energy and commodities sectors.

Capital Link is also widely known for hosting annually 18 top level investment and industry forums in Europe, Asia and the USA and for its robust digital presence through a series of webinars, podcasts, roundtables and articles. It is one of the most recognizable and respected organizations in its sector with an extensive and unique network of contacts around the world.

Nicolas holds an MBA from Harvard Business School (1982) and a Law Degree with a specialization in commercial and corporate law from the University of Athens (1979) in Greece; he is also a graduate of Athens College in Greece. For a period of 12 years he was Visiting Lecturer on International Banking & Finance at the Costas Grammenos Centre for Shipping, Trade & Finance He has been recognized for his contribution to the shipping industry by several organizations, including Lloyds List and the Propeller Club of Piraeus.”

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Mr Laurent Bozzoni, Chief Executive Officer, Socatra

Laurent Bozzoni (50) studied at university of Bordeaux where he graduated in Finance & Economics and in Political Sciences, and later graduated in Shipping, Trade & Finance in 1999 (intake 1998) at City university - London.

After a stay with French shipbrokers barry rogliano salles in Paris, he joined general maritime corporation as a consultant in New-York to assist the Chief Financial Officer during the initial public offering of the company.

In 2001, he joined Socatra, his Bordeaux - based family-controlled shipping group, where he was responsible for finance, projects, and business development. He has been the CEO of the group since 2021.

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Mr Edward Buttery, Chief Executive Officer, Taylor Maritime Ltd.

• Founder and CEO of Taylor Maritime
• Former CEO of Grindrod Shipping and IVS Nordea Bank - Shipping Oil and Off Shore Banking Asia Maritime Pacific (now CETUS)
• Deputy COO Pacific Basin Chartering Clarksons Dry Cargo Proud
• Graduate of City Of London Business School.

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Mr Cyrus de la Rubia, Chief Economist and Head of Economics, Hamburg Commercial Bank AG

Cyrus de la Rubia is Chief Economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank, overseeing economic, interest rates, currencies as well as global trade forecasts.

With over two decades of hands on experience in international financial markets de la Rubia shares his insights through numerous publications, podcasts, TV interviews and editorials for prestigious newspapers.

De la Rubia‘s academic journey includes studies at the university of Kiel and Cordoba (Argentina) after which he earned a doctorate from the University of Potsdam with a focus on bond markets.

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Mr Hakki Deval, Managing Director and CEO, Devbulk

Born on 17 June 1980 in Istanbul, Hakki Deval is a seasoned executive in the maritime industry. He earned a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree in Shipping Operations from Solent University, Southampton, in 2001, followed by a Master of Science degree in Shipping, Trade and Finance from Bayes Business School in 2002.

From 2003 to 2004, Mr. Deval fulfilled his national service as a reserve officer in the Turkish Navy, holding the rank of Lieutenant. He joined the family business in October 2004, taking on various strategic roles across different divisions. Since 2014, he has been serving as the Managing Director of Devbulk, overseeing the company’s growth and global operations.

He has actively contributed to the wider maritime community. He served two terms as a Board Member of the International Chamber of Shipping and holds memberships with the Turkish Chamber of Shipping, the Turkish Shipowners’ Association, and the Baltic Exchange.

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Mr John Dragnis, Chief Executive Officer, Goldenport Shipmanagement

John started his career with Goldenport Group in 2001 as Commercial Manager of its dry bulk and container fleet. In 2006, he led the Initial Public Offering of Goldenport Holdings Inc. that owned part of the commercial shipping activities of the Group on the main market of the London Stock Exchange and in 2012, he was appointed as CEO of the company.

John also co-founded Oceangold Tankers Inc. that focuses on product tankers and was actively involved in setting up and running Golden Yachts, a super yachts construction, management and chartering business. In 2016, he successfully managed to de-list and re-capitalize Goldenport Holdings Inc. that was absorbed by Goldenport Group. Today, the Group operates a fleet of 43 ocean-going vessels and has another nine product tankers under construction, seven mega-yachts, three mega-yacht building and refit shipyards in Perama, Greece and one of the leading commercial yacht management platforms in the Mediterranean. John is a Member of the ABS, DNV, LR and BV Committees.

He is also a Member of the Skuld P&I Club Committee and of SYBAss, the Superyacht Builders Association. He holds a BSc in Business Administration and an MSc in Shipping, Trade and Finance from Bayes Business School (formerly Cass), London.

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Professor Sir Anthony Finkelstein, President, City St George's, University of London

Professor Sir Anthony Finkelstein joined City St George's as the University’s President in June 2021. Anthony joined City St George's from his position as the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser for National Security, which he had held since 2015.

During that time, Anthony’s research was based at The Alan Turing Institute and he held a Chair in Software Systems Engineering at University College London (UCL).

Prior to this, he was Dean of the UCL Faculty of Engineering Sciences and Head of UCL Computer Science. His scientific work is in the broad area of systems engineering.

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Mr Michael Fostiropoulos, Director, Almi Tankers S.A.

Michael Fostiropoulos 1997 Athens College 4-year Lykeion 2000 BSc (Hons) Sociology/Economics, City University, London 2001 MSc Shipping, Trade and Finance, City University, London 2001- 2003 Trainee, 2004 Deputy C.E.O., 2005-2015 C.E.O. Fairsky Shipping and Trading S.A. Michael hired young, well qualified successors for all the Departments and ameliorated the operational capacity of this bulk carrier operator through an integrated management system based on the H.S.Q.E. Marine Standard of the American Bureau of Shipping. 2014-2015 Director, UK P&I Club 2009- 2025 Director, Almi Tankers S.A., Athens www.almitankers.gr

In March 2009, Michael and his brothers Alexander and John, organised the establishment of this new tanker management company. A team of young but well-qualified tanker managers was selected. The guiding principle was operational integrity, proof of which are the highest industry standards to which the company adheres, including TMSA Stage 3+ as well as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001, ISO 50001 and ISO 22301 certifications from Lloyd’s Register. The Investors in People (IIP) accreditation was achieved in 2011.

IIP Gold recognition was achieved in September 2020 and the ‘We invest in Well-being’ certification, was awarded in June 2023.

Michael set up the Strategy Management Office and adopted the Balanced Scorecard Framework for the effective planning, monitoring and execution of the corporate Strategy. Collective participation in Strategic Planning through the four Strategic Focus groups takes place regularly and team members are encouraged to contribute to the discussion and initiate strategic projects on developing our people, improving our internal business processes, achieving customer satisfaction and ensuring the financial sustainability of the company in the long term.

In 2017 Michael designed the “Shipping Company Management” elective and has been delivering it with the help of his colleagues and guest speakers from the industry to MSc students of the Costas Grammenos Centre of Bayes Business School, City, University of London. 2014-2025 C.E.O. of Biamax S.A., Real estate and facilities Management, Yacht Management.

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Mr Moritz Fuhrmann, Co-CEO & CFO, MPC Container Ships

Moritz Fuhrmann joined MPC Container Ships ASA in 2022 as CFO, and was appointed Co-CEO & CFO in April 2024. Before joining MPCC, he worked in London-based Hayfin Capital Management LLP, where he served as Principal in the maritime team.

Originally from Hamburg, Mr. Fuhrmann has substantial international experience within finance and shipping. In addition to Hayfin Capital, he has held positions with companies, such as DVB Bank in Germany and the Netherlands, Credit Suisse in Germany and the US, as well as German ship broker Andreas J. Zachariassen in Hamburg. Mr. Fuhrmann is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers and holds an MSc in Shipping, Trade & Finance from Bayes Business School (formerly Cass) in London, UK.

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Mr Marius Halvorsen, Founder, Matterhorn Capital Advisors

Marius Halvorsen is the founder of Matterhorn Capital Advisors, a maritime advisory and finance firm. Prior to Matterhorn Marius was the Head of Investment Banking for Arctic Securities and CEO of Fearnley Securities.

Marius started his career as a banker at Goldman Sachs International and has spent the past 20 years in maritime finance. Marius is a graduate of Harvard Business School, and Cass Business Schools Center for Shipping, Trade and Finance. For the bast 10 years he has been a visiting lecturer at Bayes Business School. Marius lives with his family in New York.

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Mr Erik Helberg, Chief Executive Officer, Clarksons Securities

Erik has held the position as CEO at Clarksons Securities for the last 15 years. Before joining RS Platou Markets as CEO in 2009, Erik was a Partner and Head of Shipping Research at Pareto Securities.

He has received numerous awards from top analyst ranking agencies such as StarMine and Prospera, including three #1 rankings as the best stock picker in Europe/Norway. Erik has extensive industry and business experience with all types of ECM transactions and M&A assignments in Europe, Asia, and the US.

He holds a Master of Science degree in Shipping, Trade, and Finance from Bayes Business School in London, and a Candidatus Magisterii in Law from the University of Oslo.

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Professor Haiying Jia, Professor, Norwegian School of Economics

Haiying Jia is a Professor at the Department of Business and Management Science, Norwegian School of Economics (NHH). Prof. Jia obtained her PhD in Finance from Bayes Business School in 2006 and worked as an investment analyst in the finance industry in London after the PhD study. Jia has been a visiting scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2018/19 and a visiting professor at the University of Tokyo in the fall of 2022.

Jia’s expertise includes ship finance and insurance, big data analysis in shipping, and global trade. Jia has published extensively in the areas of energy efficiency, shipping emissions and operational behaviour, risk assessment, and trade predictions in top academic journals.

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Dr Sadan Kaptanoglu Dikici, Owner, Kaptanoglu Shipping

Chairperson, TURMEPA-Turkish Marine Environment Protection Association Owner and Board Member, Kaptanoğlu Shipping Inmediate Past President of the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) Şadan Kaptanoğlu graduated from Istanbul University with a degree in Philosophy and pursued further education in the UK.

She studied Maritime at London City College, earned a master’s degree in Maritime, Finance, and Commerce at Bayes Business School (formerly Cass), and completed her PhD at De Montfort University.

Formerly CEO of H.İ. Kaptanoğlu Maritime Group, she is now a Board Member at Kaptanoğlu Denizcilik. She served as Vice President of the Turkish Chamber of Shipping (2018-2022) and as a trustee at Piri Reis University (2008-2025). She was an Independent Board Member at Aygaz (2019–2024) and currently serves on the Board of Tüpraş as an Independent Board Member.

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Alderman Alastair King DL, Lord Mayor of London 2024-25

Alastair is the 696th Lord Mayor of London. The principal role of Lord Mayor is as a Global Ambassador for UK’s Financial and Professional Services, alongside championing charitable interests for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal and the wider community.

Alastair qualified as a solicitor in the City of London in 1995. He practiced in both London and Asia with the leading international law firm Baker McKenzie. He joined a leading venture capital firm, NewMedia Investors, in 1999 which provided early-stage capital for some of the UK’s leading technology companies. In 2002, he and a business partner took control of a small LSE-quoted investment vehicle which they turned into a highly successful buy-out firm. In 2006, Alastair founded his own fund management company, and in parallel founded, raised and ran an LSE-quoted fund to invest into infrastructure projects.

Currently, he is on the board of five City of London-based financial services companies, four of which he chairs. Of the five companies, four are FCA-regulated and he owns two – Naisbitt King Asset Management Limited (a fund manager) and Naisbitt King Limited (a family office).

Alastair is Chair of the British Liver Trust – the national liver charity and Treasurer of the long-established City charity, the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association.

In his civic career, having lived in the Ward of Queenhithe in the City of London since 1991, Alastair was elected to the Court of Common Council for the Ward in 1999. He was appointed Deputy in 2006 and then elected as Alderman in 2016. During his continuing 24 years of service with the City of London Corporation (CoLC), he has had active roles in a number of key Committees. Through the CoLC, he is Chair of the Investment Committee and Trustee of Morden College and a Trustee of the Samuel Wilson Loan Trust.

Alastair has substantial involvement in the Livery movement, being a Past Prime Warden of the Blacksmiths (his Mother company) and Past Master of the Masons (the Stonemasons).

Alastair is a Deputy Lieutenant for Greater London, and he is an Honorary Fellow - Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI), an Honorary Visiting Professor - Bayes Business School, City St George’s, University of London and an Honorary Bencher - Honourable Society of the Middle Temple

Alastair is active in business groupings, both in the United Kingdom and around the world. He is Secretary of the UK Parliament’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Sovereign Wealth Funds. He is also Chair of the Institute of Directors, London Region. He is a member (and past three-time Chapter Chair) of the Young Presidents’ Organisation and a member of CEO, an invitation-only group of 2000 leading CEOs from around the world.

Of proud Scottish heritage, Alastair was educated at Oundle School and at the University of Bristol, University of Kent, the College of Law in London and the London Business School. His interests include boxing and hill walking in Scotland with Florence his wife and their Italian Greyhound.

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Mr Loukas Lagaras, Head of Shipping - Greece, Hamburg Commercial Bank AG

Loukas Lagaras is involved in ship finance for over 30 years. He started his career when he finished his postgraduate studies (MSc) in Shipping Trade and Finance - CITY University, London back in 1992 (intake 1991), joining ABN AMRO Bank ship finance team in Piraeus.

Since then and for over three decades, he has been involved in a very large number of deals/ transactions covering the full spectrum of the ship finance landscape, from pure asset finances to complex corporate deals, M&As, restructurings, etc.

Currently he is working for Hamburg Commercial Bank (ex. HSH), heading the Greek Shipping Team. He joined the Bank back in 2007, setting up the Greek office/ Branch.

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Professor Michael Mainelli, Chairman, Z/Yen Group; President, London Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Professor Michael Mainelli KStJ OMRI FCCA FCSI (Hon) FBCS FRSA is Chairman and founder of Z/Yen Group, the City of London’s leading think-tank, and President of the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Educated at Harvard, Trinity College Dublin, and LSE, he has been a senior accountancy partner and Ministry of Defence research director.

Michael is a fellow of KCL, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Birkbeck, Goodenough, and Gresham colleges, visiting professor at UCL and City St George’s, Bencher at Middle Temple, active in fifteen livery companies, past Master World Trader, Lord Mayor of London 2023-2024, Sheriff 2019-2021 with charity interests in the environment, education, and care.

The Price Of Fish: A New Approach To Wicked Economics And Better Decisions, written with Ian Harris won the Independent Publisher Book Awards Finance, Investment & Economics Gold Prize. Michael owned a commercial shipping vessel for two decades, worked on maritime insurance projects, produced economic reports on the maritime industry, and represented the London maritime sector overseas.

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Miss Federica Maiorano, Chief Executive Officer, Oceanis Tech.

Federica Maiorano is the CEO of Oceanis Tech GmbH. Recognized among the Top 100 Inspirational Women in Ocean & Energy, she is a prominent keynote speaker in the shipping industry, widely known for her expertise in digitalization, decarbonization, and commodity trends.

With over a decade of experience in commercial shipping, Federica has held senior leadership roles including Vice President of Strategy and Chief Commercial Officer at Spot Ship. She played a pivotal role in driving the company’s international expansion into 16 countries across four market segments.

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Mr Thrasyvoulos Makios, Chief Executive Officer, QB STREEM

Thrasyvoulos Makios received a BA in Business Administration from the University of Macedonia, Greece and an MSc in Logistics, Trade and Finance (2006) from Bayes Business School (formerly Cass), U.K.

He was the CEO of Makios Logsitics, one of the top 3PL companies in Greece. As the youngest family member he was active in transforming the company into a key 3PL provider around the Balkan countries. Today Makios Logistics is part of OB STREEM, the biggest 3PL Group in Southeastern Europe, following a partnership with HIG in 2020.

He is the CEO of the Group, an active Angel investor, and a board member of the Hellenic Business Angel Network. Since 2011 he sits on the Board of the Northern Greece Industry Federation and he has also been the Vice President of the Alum Association of Anatolia, The American College of Thessaloniki. He is a YPO member since 2020 and he is married and has two children, 14 and 12.

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Mr Asaf Malamud, Chief Executive Officer, Portline Group

Chief Executive Officer, Portline Group Asaf serves as Chief Executive Officer of Portline Group, a diversified maritime company with a fleet of approximately 30 vessels, primarily in the dry bulk segment with a focus on modern Japanese tonnage, as well as involvement in containers and chemical tankers.

Since 2016, he has led the Group’s ship-owning activities, alongside its broader involvement through affiliated companies in ship management, cargo operating, and maritime-focused private equity and venture capital investments. Prior to joining Portline, Asaf held positions in various shipping and finance-related firms across commercial, operational, and financial functions - including shipbroking houses, ship-finance departments of commercial banks, and independent shipping research firms.

Asaf holds an MSc in Shipping, Trade and Finance from Bayes (formerly Cass) Business School in London. He also holds a Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) and a B.A. in Business Administration with a finance focus from Reichman University in Israel. He is a member of the Israel Bar Association.

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Mr Thanassis J. Martinos, Managing Director, Eastern Mediterranean Maritime Ltd.

• Shipowner
• Born in 1950 Graduate from Athens University – School of Economics (1968) and from City College of London- Shipping Studies (1969)
• Co- Managing Director of the family shipping business “Thenamaris” from 1968 to 1990. In 1991 he established in Glyfada his own shipping company ‘Eastern Mediterranean Maritime Limited’ (EASTMED) of which he is Managing Director.
• Member of the Union of Hellenic American Educational Foundation (HAEF)- Athens College
• Founding Member of “SYNENOSIS” of the Union of Greek Shipowners, a company offering social services
• Member of the Board of Directors if the Center for Asia Minor Studies
• Archon of the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
• Archon of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, Egypt
• Ex Civil Governor of Mount Athos (2019-2023)
• Honorary Doctor of the Department of Maritime Studies of the School of Maritime and Industrial Studies of the University of Piraeus (6/2023)
• Honorary Doctor and Grand Benefactor of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA) (10/2024)

He is married to Marina and they have two daughters and three grandchildren. They both support social benevolent causes mainly in Greece through their family foundations “AIGEAS NON-PROFIT CIVIL COMPANY” and the “ATHANASIOS AND MARINA MARTINOS FOUNDATION’.

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Mr Sanjay Mehta, Founder|Chairman, S ONE

Mr. Sanjay Mehta is an investor and C-Suite leader/mentor with global business experience and investment management experience. His core competence is in proprietary fund management, investments, mergers and acquisitions, public boards and investment trusts.

Mr. Mehta currently chairs S ONE Trust and manages its multi asset investment portfolio with investment focus on socially/environmentally driven impact investing, technology, renewable energy, zero emission mobility and sustainable agriculture. He is the founder and managing partner at ReNew ONE Investments, leasing company for zero emission public transportation and last mile logistics assets in the UK and NEO Fund, supercharge the decarbonisation of shipping by investing in net zero emissions vessels.

Mr. Mehta was founder of two special purpose acquisition companies listed on Nasdaq and London Stock Exchange with within the energy storage value chain and carbon capture Mr. Mehta was the Managing Director of Essar Capital from 2000 to 2014 where he managed a proprietary fund with assets under management of US$32 billion and led a team in making transformational investments, value creation and harvesting of investments in businesses spanning, energy, mobile communication, transportation, metals and infrastructure.

Prior to Essar, Mr. Mehta worked at J. Aron & Company (a subsidiary of Goldman Sachs) in New York from 1993 to 1996 and American Marine Advisors Inc. in New York from 1996 to 2000. Mr. Mehta serves as an independent investment trustee on Steamship Mutual underwriting Association Trustees (Bermuda) Limited.

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Mr Theofanis Moustakatos, Head of Shipping, Assistant General Manager Shipping, National Bank of Greece

Mr. Theofanis Moustakatos was appointed Head of Shipping in National Bank of Greece in December 2020. Previously, since 2014 he held the position of Head of the Deputy CEO’s Office.

Between 2012-2013, he served as Independent Non-Executive Director to the Board of OPAP, the leading listed Greek Gaming company. In 2008 after leaving Citigroup, he became an investment director and partner at a private equity fund. He joined Citigroup in 1994 and served as a senior banker / Director in the corporate and investment banking area from 2000 to 2008. During his tenure in Citigroup, he originated, structured, negotiated, and successfully executed numerous financing deals both locally and internationally.

He holds two master’s degrees from Manchester School of Management and Bayes Business School respectively and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Athens University of Economics and Business.

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Lord Jeffrey Mountevans, Hon. President, Maritime London; Crossbench Member, House of Lords

Jeffrey Mountevans,  has spent a lifetime in maritime. He career in shipbroking was with the leading international firm of Clarksons Platou, initially in Tankers before specialising in Gas markets.

He has chaired Maritime UK and Maritime London and has held a number of senior maritime industry positions, including serving as President of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers  and chairing the Advisory Board of London International Shipping Week four times. He is currently a Director of the Baltic Exchange Council, following two years as Chairman and is Honorary President of Maritime London.

He was elected to sit in the House of Lords at a crossbench hereditary peers’ by-election in July 2015. He served as the 688th Lord Mayor of London in 2015-16. For a number of years he has been Honorary President of Canning House, the forum for UK-Latin American relations.  He is a Vice President of the Marine Society and Sea Cadets.

Lord Mountevans has an MA in Economics from Pembroke College, Cambridge and holds Honorary Doctorates in Maritime Science from City University and in Maritime Business from Korea Maritime and Ocean University.

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Dr Ioannis Moutzouris, Associate Dean for Employability & Engagement; Onassis Associate Professor of Shipping Finance & Sustainability, Bayes Business School

Dr Ioannis C. Moutzouris is an Onassis Associate Professor of Shipping Finance and Sustainability; the Associate Dean for Employability and Engagement; and the Shipping and Energy Research Programme Lead at Bayes Business School, City St George’s, University of London.

Ioannis acts as a Principal Academic Adviser at the UK Department for Transport and as the UK Academic Director of the Greek Energy Forum. He is a Co-Investigator, leading the “Digitisation, Maritime Operations, and Finance” theme, of the UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub. Ioannis studied Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens (BEng and MEng).

He holds an MSc in Shipping, Trade and Finance; an MRes in Finance; and a PhD in Finance from Bayes Business School, City St George’s, University of London. He joined The Costas Grammenos Centre for Shipping, Trade and Finance in 2013 and he was the Director of the MSc Energy, Trade and Finance from 2021 to 2023.

Ioannis’s areas of expertise are shipping finance and economics with a focus on sustainability. His work has been published in leading academic journals in the related fields. Ioannis has also worked as a Supervising Naval Architect and Marine Engineer and as a consultant in the shipping industry.

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Professor Nikos Nomikos, Professor of Shipping Finance, Bayes Business School

Prof Nikos K Nomikos, PhD, FICS Nikos Nomikos is Professor of Shipping Finance at Bayes Business School. He is the Academic Director of the Bayes Modular Executive MBA Program and the former Director of the MSc in Shipping, Trade and Finance.

His area of expertise is Ship Finance, Risk Management and Asset Pricing for Shipping and Commodity Markets. Examples of his research include the development of ship valuation models, designing shipping indices and market benchmarks, structuring risk management products, valuation of freight derivative contracts, big-data analytics for assessing market dynamics and sustainable finance.

Nikos has published over 50 papers in peer-review academic journals and co-authored the book “Shipping Derivatives and Risk Management” considered the leading reference book in this area. Nikos’ career began at the Baltic Exchange, where he served as Head of Market Analytics. During this time, he oversaw the development of shipping indices that are now widely used as pricing benchmarks in the market.

Recognising the importance of applied and commercially viable research, Nikos collaborates extensively with corporations, both as a consultant and in executive education. He also acts as an expert witness in shipping-related cases.

Nikos lectures on Finance, Economics, Asset Pricing, and Risk Management for the MSc, MBA, and PhD programs. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.

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Mr Konstantinos Oikonomou, President and CEO, Marine Tours

Konstantinos Oikonomou is the CEO of Marine Tours, a leading Travel Management Group in Southeastern Europe with a long-standing presence in global Marine and Offshore travel.

With more than 20 years of experience in the sector, he has worked alongside key players in global shipping, gaining perspective on the industry’s evolving priorities and the wider environment in which it operates. Through his role, Mr. Oikonomou has developed a strong awareness of the strategic and operational challenges facing the maritime industry today—from geopolitical instability and shifting trade dynamics to regulatory complexity and workforce sustainability.

His work is driven by the belief that strategic partners must not only respond to immediate needs, but also understand the broader challenges and business environment. His approach to Travel Management is of a strategic nature, aligned with the evolving needs of the maritime industry.

Mr. Oikonomou regularly contributes to industry forums in Greece and abroad, offering insights on global travel and the role of specialised services in supporting the long-term adaptability of shipping companies in a rapidly changing world.

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Mr Nikolaus Oldendorff, Shipowner, Reederei Nord

Nikolaus Oldendorff is the co-owner of Reederei Nord Group. Reederei Nord is a shipping company founded by Klaus E. Oldendorff in 1964. The company owns and operates a diversified fleet that includes tankers, container ships, and bulk carriers.

Reederei Nord offers fully integrated ship management services, co-investment opportunities, and runs its own pool and commercial management platforms, such as N2 Tankers (Aframax Pool), Dry Dot (Handymax Pool), and Hanseatic Unity (Container Pool).

The company has offices in Hamburg, Amsterdam, Limassol, and Singapore. Nikolaus studied at CASS Business School in London and at EBS Oestrich-Winkel in Germany.

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Mr Punit Oza, Director, Maritime NXT Pte Ltd.

Mr. Punit Oza is the current President of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, UK. Punit has over three decades of experience in the Maritime Industry and has held senior management positions in leading shipping companies including Precious Shipping & Noble Group.

At Torvald Klaveness, he held senior commercial positions and headed Digital Transformation of Klaveness Dry Bulk. Punit now heads Maritime NXT, Singapore, driving the “Next” in Maritime through training, teaching, mentoring, & consulting. Punit is a Senior Adjunct Fellow at Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) Academy, an Affiliated Research Fellow at Singapore Management University (SMU) and a guest lecturer at several other universities and business schools lecturing on “Geopolitical Risks & their impact on Supply Chain and Trade Flows”.

He also regularly conducts customized Geo-Strategic workshops for Shipping & Trading Companies. Punit is also an angel investor and advisor in Motion Ventures, a VC fund focused on Sustainable Maritime startups and sits on the advisory boards of FrontM, HarborLab & Tathya.Earth Punit holds a Masters in Shipping, Trade and Finance from Bayes (previously CASS) Business School, UK and a LLB and Post Graduate Diploma in Maritime Law from University of London.

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Dr Anthony S. Papadimitriou, President, Onassis Foundation

Anthony Papadimitriou is the President of the Onassis Foundation. Founded in 1975, under the will of Aristotle Onassis, this foundation is dedicated to health, culture, social solidarity and education, with projects that can effectively inspire social change and justice across borders.

Anthony Papadimitriou, born in 1955, is a lawyer and economist. He graduated from the Athens University Law School and holds a post-graduate degree in law (DESS) from the University Aix-en-Provence (France).

He obtained his PhD in Political Science at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He holds a BSC (Economics) Degree from the London School of Economics. He is a Doctor of Science Emeritus of City University.

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Dr Nikoloas Papapostolou, Reader in Shipping Finance; Director, MSc Shipping, Trade and Finance, Bayes Business School

Dr. Nikos Papapostolou is a Reader (Associate Professor) in Shipping Finance at Bayes Business School, City St George’s, University of London and currently serves as Director of the MSc in Shipping, Trade and Finance.

With over two decades of academic and research experience, he specializes in shipping finance and investor sentiment in shipping markets. Dr. Papapostolou holds a PhD in Shipping Finance from Bayes (formerly Cass) Business School and has published extensively in top-tier journals. His research integrates advanced empirical analysis techniques with real-world maritime and commodity markets, influencing both academic discourse and industry practice.

His work bridges academic rigor with practical relevance in the evolving global shipping and finance sectors. He is a seasoned educator and executive trainer, delivering ship finance programs in collaboration with the Baltic Exchange. His external engagements include consulting for companies and serving as an external examiner for leading business schools. A frequent presenter at international academic and practitioner conferences, Dr. Papapostolou is also an active peer reviewer for numerous finance and transport journals.

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Mr Aristos Philis, Director & Deputy CEO, Lemissoler

Aristos Philis is the Deputy CEO of Lemissoler Navigation, where he focuses on the company’s strategic development and sustainability efforts. Based in Limassol, he works on advancing green shipping solutions and ensuring Lemissoler remains at the forefront of efficient and responsible maritime operations.

He holds a BSc (Hons) in Economics & Statistics from University College London (UCL) and an MSc in Shipping, Trade & Finance with Distinction from Bayes Business School. He began his career at Barclays Investment Bank in London, working in Risk & Analytics, before joining his family’s shipowning group, Lemissoler Navigation, in 2017.

In 2020, Aristos co-founded KeelX, a company that develops AI technology for the shipping industry. He leads KeelX as CEO while continuing his work at Lemissoler, ensuring both companies drive innovation and efficiency in the maritime sector.

He has been recognized with awards, including the YoungShip Cyprus Young Leader Award (2021) and the CCCI Young Entrepreneurship Award in Shipping Enterprises (2023).

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Mr George Politis, Director, FinTech.lab, Bayes Business School

George grew up in Piraeus, studied in Shipping and Finance at Southampton (BSc), Cardiff (MSc) and London/Cass (MSc), Fintech at Oxford/Said (Executive), and completed the EP at Singularity University.  Since 2016, he is an ambassador for City St. George, University of London, as well as mentor and donor.

He has been CEO at the family-owned ship owning / management group, operating a large, specialized sugar carrying fleet.  Earlier in his career, he was involved in equity and alternatives research and trading in the family office and in shipping software development.  He started out as a shipbroker in London, member of the Baltic Exchange.  Past 15 years he’s been involved in global financial markets.

In 2019, he created, and still teaches, the Fintech in Shipping, Energy, Trade & Finance course, in 2021 he launched the Captain Tasos Politis Prize for Best Fintech Innovation, and in 2022 he launched the FinTech.Lab at Bayes Business School.

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Mr Irfan Raouf, General Manager & COO, Pakistan state Oil

Irfan Malik is an accomplished investment banker, corporate strategist, and venture capital executive with over two decades of experience leading multi-billion-dollar transactions across energy, infrastructure, technology, and financial services.

He has held senior leadership roles in the Middle East and South Asia, including General Manager – New Ventures at Pakistan State Oil, where he co-led the company’s 10-year strategic transformation and spearheaded initiatives in renewables, EV infrastructure, and fintech.

Irfan holds an Executive MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and an MSc in Shipping, Trade & Finance from Bayes Business School, City, University of London. He is currently engaged in advising and building high-growth ventures in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and beyond.

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Mr Emanuele Ravano, Co-CEO, Ifchor Galbraiths

Emanuele (Manu) Ravano is the co-CEO of IFCHOR GALBRAITHS (IG), a merger that unites IFCHOR and Galbraiths, focusing on dry-bulk, tanker, and ship sales.

Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, IG has over 350 employees in 25 offices globally, offering innovative, competitive brokerage services with a focus on diversification, including offshore, renewable services, gas projects, and maritime financing. The company also invests in digitalization and research.

As a member of IFCHOR's founding family, Manu brings over 20 years of shipping experience and advocates for sustainable practices. He's known for driving change and diversification in IG, actively working as a competitive chartering and S&P broker with a focus on dry-bulk Capesize.

Manu holds a bachelor's in International Relations from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva and a minor in Finance from Harvard University.

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Mr Alex Ryland, Head of Ocean Industries CEMEA, DNB

Graduated from the Grammenos course in 1999. Prior to this he was as a shipbroker in London and Saudi Arabia, specialising in LPG and Chemical chartering.

Extensive ship finance experience having spent 11 year with RBS in London and Athens, and the last 16 years with DNB in London and Singapore.  Alex's role in DNB is Head of Ocean Industries, CEMEA.

This includes running the coverage team across multiple sectors in the region, including Shipping, Logistics (ports & tank farms), Seafood and Ocean Services (inc FPSO, OSVs, Oilfield service business and strong focus on offshore renewable installation and servicing).

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Professor Andre Spicer, Dean, Bayes Business School

Andre Spicer is Professor of Organisational Behaviour. He is an expert in leadership, corporate social responsibility and organisational theory.

As Dean of Bayes, he focuses on strategic oversight of the School, faculty issues, working with the wider university, and representing Bayes in many external forums.

He is a member of City St George's, University of London's senior leadership team. He previously led the Faculty of Management, the largest department at the University. Andre joined Bayes in 2011 and took up the role of Dean in January 2022.

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Professor Martin Stopford, Economist and Author, Marecon Ltd; Honorary Visiting Professor, Bayes Business School

Over 50 years in the Maritime industry Martin Stopford held positions as Director of Business Development at British Shipbuilders; Global Shipping Economist, Chase Manhattan Bank N.A.; Chief Executive, Lloyds Maritime Information Services; Managing Director, Clarkson Research; and Executive Director, Clarksons PLC.

From 2009 to 2021 he ran a farm in Staffordshire Moorlands. He is author of many papers on sea transport, including “Maritime Economics” 3rd Ed (2009), available in Japanese, Greek, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean and Turkish.

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Professor Siri Pettersen Strandenes, Professor Emerita, Norwegian School of Economics, Honorary Visiting Professor, Bayes Business School

Professor Siri Pettersen Strandenes is Professor Emerita at Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) where she also has served as Head of Department. Her main research areas are Maritime Economics, Economics of Air Transport, International Economics, and Industrial Organization. Professor Strandenes has published on shipping market modelling, port pricing strategies, international competitiveness in the shipbuilding industry, the shipbroking function, and airline competition among other topics.

She has taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses in shipping economics, transport economics and international trade. Siri Pettersen Strandenes was awarded The Onassis Prize 2023 in Shipping. Professor Strandenes is Honorary Visiting Professor at Faculty of Finance, Bayes Business School, City St George's, University of London, and has been Guest Professor at the Department of Transport and Regional Economics, Faculty of Applied Economic Sciences, University of Antwerp.

She has served as guest editor and member of editorial boards of scientific journals and has been external examiner and member of appointment committees at several universities around the world. Strandenes has served on numerous boards of public institutions and private companies in shipping and finance among them Bergshav Shipholding, DNB and Norwegian Hull Club.

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Professor Michael Tamvakis, Professor of Commodity Economics and Finance, Bayes Business School

Michael read economics at the Athens University of Economics and Business. He received his MSc and PhD from City and is currently Professor of Commodity Economics and Finance at Bayes. He lectures in energy economics, international commodity trade, power and renewable markets, commodity derivatives and shipping economics.

He has served as Associate Dean for Undergraduate programmes and as Director of both the MSc courses in Shipping and Energy, Trade & Finance. His research interests are in the areas of energy and commodity economics, energy derivatives and shipping economics. He has published in academic journals such as Energy Economics, Energy Policy, Journal of Alternative Investments, Journal of Derivatives, Transportation Review Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review and Maritime Policy and Management.

He has contributed to several edited books and is the author of Commodity Trade & Finance. He is also a contributor and commentator on commodity and energy issues to the press, including BBC Radio 4, the BBC World Service and many more.

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Professor Helen Thanopoulou, Professor, University of the Aegean; Honorary Visiting Professor, Bayes Business School

Helen A. Thanopoulou is Professor in Operations Management of Shipping Companies at the Department of Shipping, Trade and Transport of the University of the Aegean where she served (2014-2016) as Head of Department. In 2017-2018 she served as the University’s Vice-Rector of Academic Affairs and Quality Assurance and is a Bayes Business School Honorary Visiting Professor (2018-2027).

Having studied Economics (University of Athens), she holds a postgraduate degree in Development Economics (University of Paris I, Panthéon- Sorbonne) and a Doctorate in Maritime Studies from the University of Piraeus where she taught briefly spending, next, 8 years as Lecturer and Senior Lecturer at Cardiff University where she served also as Director of shipping related postgraduate courses and elected Chair of the Academic Assembly returning to Greece to assume, in 2004, her new post on Chios island.

She has published on maritime crises, shipping competitiveness and investment strategies, shipping policy, liner alliances, ports, uncertainty and resilience, quality shipping, maritime innovation etc.

She has served as Council member of the International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), Guest Editor and Editorial Board member of international academic journals, as evaluator of research proposals and postgraduate programmes in Europe and has taught undergraduate and post-graduate courses in Europe and Asia while active in research projects and consulting.

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Mr Christoph Toepfer, Chief Executive Officer, Borealis Maritime Limited

Christoph Toepfer is CEO & Founder of the Borealis Maritime Group, an independent maritime investment and ship management firm based in London. Since inception in 2010, Borealis Maritime has invested over $2.9bn of capital in partnership with leading institutional investors.

Today, Borealis has around $1.0 billion of assets under management, and is managing a fleet of 25 vessels in the container, chemical tanker, drycargo and offshore supply vessel sectors. Via its subsidiary Australis Maritime, the group has provided over $1.2 billion in debt financing to other shipowners, financing over 15 vessels in all sectors.

Borealis co-established Hanseatic Unity Chartering for the commercial management of container vessels, it has its own ship management divisions for chemical tankers with Borealis Denizcilik and Borealis Tankers in Istanbul and founded Aurora Offshore for the management of offshore supply vessels with offices in Kristiansand, Aberdeen, Gdansk and Perth.

In 2019, Borealis launched Aurora Marine Fuels as a worldwide supplier of marine fuels and lubricants. Prior to Borealis, Christoph was Managing Director of Allocean. Christoph holds a Bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University, New York, and a Master’s degree in Shipping, Trade & Finance from Bayes Business School (formerly Cass) in London.

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Mr Nikolaos Triantafyllakis, Chief Executive Officer, W Marine Inc.

• Year of birth: 1963
• Marital Status: separated
• Nationality: Hellenic
• Academic qualifications: BSc Business Studies (University of Buckingham), MSc Shipping, Trade & Finance (City University Business School)
• Languages: Greek/English/French.

Professional career:

2003 – present: W MARINE INC: Acting as CEO for the said Company, since its inception in 2003. W MARINE INC is a fully integrated Ship Management Company, established in Athens, Greece, offering a whole range of ship management services. The Company currently manages 16 dry bulk carrier vessels, ranging in size from Ultramax to Post Panamax. Current N/B orderbook includes 2 x 82,000 dwt Kamsar maxes set for delivery in 2026 and 2+2 1800 TEU Container vessels set for delivery in 2028.

1997 – 2002: AM Nomikos Transworld Maritime Agencies S.A./Operations Department Officer

1992 – 1997: Elefsis Shipyards - Greece Involved with the privatization of said shipyard and acted as Liaison Officer between the Board of Directors and the Shareholders of said Company.

1990 – 1992: Pegasus Shipping Services – London Acted as Consultant for the development of an IPO for this crude oil tanker operator.

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Mr Ilias Tsakiris, Chief Executive Officer, Hellenic Hull Management

Ilias Tsakiris has been leading Hellenic Hull Management Ltd since 2005 and serves as the General Manager of the American Club, Europe, a role he has held since 2016. With 30 years of experience in marine insurance, he is a graduate of the Hydra Merchant Marine Academy and Liverpool John Moores University.

He began his career as an apprentice Deck Officer before moving ashore as an average adjuster in London. Since joining Hellenic Hull Management in 1995, Mr. Tsakiris has driven the company's transformation from a local insurer to a global leader. In co-operation with American P&I Club, he established the American Hellenic Hull Insurance Co Ltd in Cyprus and forged the strategic partnership with SiriusPoint, an A-rated global underwriter of insurance and reinsurance services.

He also serves in key roles, such as a Council Member of the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) and Chair of IUMI’s Ocean Hull Committee. Under his leadership, Hellenic Hull continues to thrive through innovation, resilience, and a proactive, client-centric approach. The company has successfully navigated complex global challenges, while aligning with sustainability initiatives, such as the UNEP FI Principles for Sustainable Insurance and the Poseidon Principles for Marine Insurance.

Additionally, Hellenic Hull is investing in digital transformation and artificial intelligence through partnerships with Diastasys and Concirrus. Mr. Tsakiris is also a visiting lecturer and an MoU signatory with academic institutions, such as the World Maritime University, the University of Piraeus, and the University of the Aegean. He regularly contributes to leading international maritime publications.

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Dr Nikolas P. Tsakos, Founder and CEO, Tsakos Energy Navigation

Dr. Nikolas P. Tsakos is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tsakos Energy Navigation (TEN), a pioneering shipping company, established in 1993 and quoted on the New York Stock Exchange. He comes from a traditional Chios seafaring family and has extensive seagoing experience, having also served as an Officer in the Greek Navy.

Mr. Tsakos is Vice-Chairman of the GSCC in London, was Chairman of INTERTANKO from 2014 to 2018 and the former President of the environmental organization, “HELMEPA”. He sits on the boards of a number of maritime and finance organizations and associations. Mr. Tsakos is the co-founder, together with his family, of the Maria Tsakos Educational Foundation, which supports the higher education of young men and women, both in their native island Chios and abroad.

Nikolas graduated from Columbia University in New York with a degree in Economics and Political Science and obtained a Masters’ Degree in Shipping, Trade and Finance from London’s City University Business School (formerly Cass).

In 2011, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from City University, for his pioneering work in the equity financial markets relating to shipping companies. He is married and has three children.

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Mr Panagiotis N. Tsakos, Commercial Director, Tsakos London

Date of Birth: 28 November 2002

Education: St Catherine's British School, Athens, International Baccalaureate Bayes Business School, City, University of London - BS in Business Management with Social Purpose

Work Experience: Fearnley's Securities (London, Rio, Seoul), Clarksons Singapore, Hyundai Mipo Shipyard Korea, BRS Geneva, Marubeni Hellas, Arrow Shipbroking Group Athens

Community Service: St Nicholas Preparatory School Ghana, Maria's House Education & Culture Campus, Maria Tsakos Foundation, Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA).

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Mr Stamatis Tsantanis, Chairman and CEO, Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp.

Stamatis N. Tsantanis Chairman and Chief Executive Officer - Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp. Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer - United Maritime Corporation Stamatis Tsantanis is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp. (the “Company” or “Seanergy”) (NASDAQ: SHIP).

He joined the Company in 2012 and led its significant growth to a world-renowned pure-play Capesize company listed in the U.S., with cargo carrying capacity exceeding 3.8 million dwt. Stamatis is also the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of United Maritime Corporation (NASDAQ: USEA), an independent diversified public shipping company that was initially established as a subsidiary of Seanergy.

He has more than 24 years of experience in shipping and finance and previously held senior management positions in prominent private and public shipping companies and financial institutions.

Stamatis is also a member of the board of directors of Breakwave Advisors LLC, the advisor of ETFMG which is the manager of the NYSE listed BDRY and BSEA and he is also a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.

Stamatis holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Shipping Trade and Finance from Bayes Business School (formerly known as Cass Business School) of City University in London and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Shipping Economics from the University of Piraeus.

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Professor Thierry Vanelslander, Full Professor, University of Antwerp

Thierry Vanelslander (°1975) is a professor at the Department of Transport and Regional Economics of the University of Antwerp.

He is currently course co-ordinator for the courses 'Port Economics and Business' at C-MAT, and 'Transportbedrijfseconomie' and 'Maritieme en Haveneconomie' at the Faculty of Business and Economics.

His research focuses on business economics in the port and maritime sector, and in hinterland transport and urban logistics.

He furthermore is chair of the SIGA2 Maritime and Ports and topic area manager Transport Modes within WCTR, and chair Freight & Logistics at ETC.

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Mr Josef von Habsburg Lothringen, Director, LOGLO SA

Born and raised in Germany, graduating high school in 2012, before going to the military for just over a year. After military service I spent one year working as a research analyst for a small grain trading company in Spain. I then studied Business Economics at the University of Exeter. Upon graduation I moved to Paris to work in risk management for an LPG trading and distribution company.

During my time in Paris I discovered a greater interest in the shipping aspect of global commodities trade and found the STF program, where I enrolled in September 2018. Since graduation I spent time working with various commodities (e.g. DDGS and meat) and continue to act in an advisory and controller role for a group of investors financing among other things lithium and tin trades out of Nigeria. My main focus however, is setting up my own grain trading operation in Hungary, with the goal of being fully operational this July.

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Mr Berat Yardimci, Purchasing Manager, Art Shipyard

With over 19 years of experience in international shipping and business development, currently serving as a Board Member at TURKTER SHIPYARD, contributing to the company's mission of delivering exceptional maritime services.

Leveraging expertise in international business, sales, and shipping, collaborated with diverse teams to support growth and operational excellence.

Motivated by a commitment to innovation and client-focused solutions, strives to align organizational goals with industry trends to drive sustainable impact.

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Professor Mohsen Ziya, Partner & managing Director, Neptune Energy LLC; Honorary Visiting Professor, Bayes Business School

Prof. Mohsen Ziya is an entrepreneur and a proven business and civic leader. He has more than 35 years of leadership roles in the oil & gas sector, starting and/or acquiring companies, and establishing joint ventures. Mr. Ziya commands an impressive track record of successful ventures. His expertise cuts across countries in MENA, East Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Mr. Ziya founded Neptune Energy Trading, which was the first 100% private sector company in the UAE that had acquired the license to trade in oil. Mr. Ziya also established RAK Petropack in 2005, with extensive manufacturing facilities built in the UAE to serve the GCC, Asian and African petrochemical companies. Prior to that, Mr. Ziya was the Senior Advisor to the Managing Director and CEO of Emirates National Oil Company Group (ENOC) in the UAE.

In addition, Mr. Ziya is the Founder and Partner of Alindse Investment in Commercial Enterprises and Management LLC since 2014 who is actively involved in the Oil, Gas and Telecommunication projects, as well as the leading supplier of specialized and state of the art German steel piping products to the IOCs in the GCC and African region.

Mr. Ziya has an extensive international network, deep experience, and established track-record in the oil & gas sector across multiple regions with focus on upstream exploration & production; downstream EPC, strategy, and integration; and trading & distribution. Mr. Ziya is one of the Founder and Partner of IMCapital Partners Limited, an investment management company established in 2015 focusing on mid-cap industrial investment in MENA-T region.

Mr. Ziya is the owner and the President of the Board of Directors of Swiss Skin Power AG Kreuzlingen Switzerland since 2016. Mr. Ziya is also a Visiting Professor in Bayes Business School (CASS) City University of London.