General Director: DIMITRIS CARAMITSOS-TZIRAS
Diplomatic Career
Joined the Greek Diplomatic Service in 1983 and has served in a wide range of posts in the United States (New York and Los Angeles), in Bulgaria, in South Africa and in Canada. He has also held various positions at the Foreign Ministry in Athens, among others, EU Internal Market Director, Counter-terrorism Coordinator and UN Head of Section. His ambassadorial postings include:
– Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York (2009-2013)
– Chief Coordinator of the Hellenic Presidency of the Council of the European Union (2014)
– Director General for EU Affairs (2014-2016)
– Ambassador to the United Kingdom (2016-2020) and Permanent representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
– Foreign Ministry’s Liaison with the “Greece 2021” National Committee, the official organizer of the celebrations surrounding the landmark anniversary of 200 years since the Greek Revolution of 1821 (2020-2021)
– Ambassador to Japan with parallel accreditation to Micronesia, Marshal Islands and Tuvalu (2022-2024)
– Director General for Development & Humanitarian Assistance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Other Activities
– From 2002 to 2004, General Manager and member of the Games Operation Committee at the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games Organizing Committee (ATHOC).
– International Affairs (independent) Advisor at Brookstreet Equity Partners LLP, a London-based fund management (AIFM) supporting companies in Greece (2018-2023).
– Member of the Technology Transfer Committee of the GAPSTI Programme at the University of Cambridge and member of the Advisory Board of Cambridge Multiphysics (CMP).
– Member of the Advisory Board of the International Diplomatic & Business Exchange in London (2016-2020) and honorary member of the Board of the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival (LAGFF 2005-2014).
Honours and Personal
– Grand Commander of the Order of the Phoenix of the Hellenic Republic (2008)
– Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun-1st Class of Japan (2024)
– Freeman of the Worshipful Company of International Bankers of the City of London (2019) He has studied Law & International Law at the Universities of Athens and Thessaloniki
Deputy Director General: ELENI NIKOLAIDOU
Ms Eleni Nikolaidou was assigned in 2015 as Director of the Directorate for Development Cooperation Policy at Hellenic Aid, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece.
She has also served as a Special Adviser to various Ministers and Deputy Ministers: Minister of Economy, Transport and Communications, Education, Foreign Affairs (2007-2010). Worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus during the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU. She has been Head of International Relations Department at the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) and before she was Senior Consultant at the KPMG Peat Marwick (accounting and consulting company), Greece.
Ms. Nikolaidou has been a Financial Economist at Crown Agents for Overseas Governments and Administrations in London and participated in the implementation of complex programmes in developing countries. She started her career as Economist at the Bank of Cyprus in Nicosia, advising investors and exporters on export and investment opportunities in the Middle East.
Ms. Nikolaidou studied Economics at Queen Mary College University of London and holds an M.A. Degree on International Business and Economic Development from the University of Reading as well as Postgraduate Degree in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics, University of London.