Jun182015

Christos Karaolis, a third generation Cypriot, and former President of NEPOMAK (the World Organisation for Young Overseas Cypriots) was elected as the fifth President of the National Federation of Cypriots at its AGM on Thursday 18 June.

At the biennial election AGM, Peter Droussiotis stepped down as President having served the maximum period allowed by the constitution of the organisation. In his final President’s report, Peter said “My paramount objective at all times had been to work with all of our parliamentary friends and to cultivate new ones from across the political spectrum, acting above party politics, in the interests of our community and the cause of a free, united Cyprus which is the Federation’s main purpose.”

On his election as the new President of the National Federation of Cypriots, Christos Karaolis said “The Federation has a pivotal role to play here in the UK, especially at such a critical time for Cyprus. As a Federation we will, of course, continue our solidarity and support for the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nicos Anastasiades in the new round of negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus issue. In addition, we also need to take vitally important steps to renew and regenerate the Federation’s ranks, to mobilise and advance our community here in the UK and to engage the younger generation“

He went on to say “I would like to personally thank outgoing President, Peter Droussiotis for his dedication and leadership over the last 8 years. I would like to thank both Peter Droussiotis and Andreas Papaevripides, the President of POMAK, for ensuring Cyprus remained high on the Parliamentary agenda all these years and I look forward to continuing to work closely with both of them over the coming years. Our programme of work is a bold and ambitious one that will require unity and support from our entire community as well as continued strong cooperation with the Cyprus High Commissioner, Greek Ambassador and Archbishop Gregorios”

On the election of Christos Karaolis, as new Federation President, Peter Droussiotis said “I offer my warm congratulations and heartfelt wishes for a successful tenure to Christos on his election to the Presidency of the Federation. I know how tough this job can be and I look forward to supporting Christos and the new leadership of the Federation in carrying out the difficult tasks which lie ahead. I have every confidence that he will approach the challenge with professionalism, dedication and impartiality.”

At the AGM a new 30 member Secretariat was elected, consisting of: George Adonis, Lakis Andronicou, Bambos Charalambous, Andreas Chimonas, Susie Constantinides, Seraphim Diakou, Michael Ellinas, Takis Frydas, Katia Harmanda, Mary Karaolis, Christos Karaolis, Michael Kashis, Ninos Koumettou, Simos Koupparis, Yiannis Kouvaros, Menicos Kouvaros, Vasilis Mavros, Michalakis Michael, George Michaelides, Evoulla Nicolaou, Neophytos Nicolaou, Andreas Papaevripides, Charalambos Pitris, Costas Sakkas, Andreas Savvides, Androulla Stylianou, George Theodoulou, Tony Vouros, Michael Yiacoumi, Panayiotis Yiacoumi

Of the 30 member Secretariat, the following individuals were elected to serve as officers of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK:

President: Christos Karaolis
Vice Presidents: Bambos Charalambous, Michael Kashis, George Adonis
General Secretary: Neophytos Nicolaou
Treasurer Ninos Koumettou

Christos Karaolis is a Manager at Bain & Company in their London office specialising in Financial Services strategy consulting. Christos was a Founding member of NEPOMAK (the World Organisation for Young Overseas Cypriots) and served as President of NEPOMAK.uk from 2005 to 2006. He was then elected as President of NEPOMAK from 2006 to 2014.

Christos has an MA in Jurisprudence from Trinity College, Oxford. He was later a Prince of Wales scholar at Gray’s Inn and qualified as a Barrister before joining Bain & Company.