CBN Young Dragon Awards: Meet the candidates in the Services category

Members of the public have until 26 November to show their support for their preferred candidates and votes are streaming in for the young entrepreneurs and professionals under the age of 40 who will be awarded as part of the newly established CBN Young Dragon Awards.

The Awards Ceremony will be taking place in Nicosia on 2 December and attendance is by invitation only.

With three finalists in each award category have selected and announced by the Awards Committee, the public can, until 26 November, still continue to cast their vote and shape the final result, contributing to and decisively determining the selection of each category's awardee. The public's vote will count on a 50%-50% scale with the Award Committee's vote.

The three finalists in the Services (Education, Health, Media, Communications, Advertising, Supply Chain and Logistics) award category, as selected by the Awards Committee, are:

• Alexia Varnava | Department Manager | Biotronics
• Artemis Pnevmatikou | Head of PR & Communications | TechIsland
• Ivan Vorobev | CMO | Cubic Games

Alexia Varnava

Company: Biotronics

Position: Sales Manager

Alexia Varnava, with a degree in Business Administration from the Athens University of Economics and Business and a master’s in Marketing Communications from the University of Westminster, began her journey at Biotronics in 2014. By 2019, she had risen to Sales Manager and Head of the Medical Department, driven by her goal to master all critical areas of the company. Her greatest achievement came in 2022 when, despite the challenges of COVID-19 and personal hardships, she successfully led Biotronics to growth. With her team, she implemented key projects that strengthened the company's market position and highlighted the excellence of the 2nd generation. Mentored by her father Varnavas, the company’s founder, Alexia is committed to upholding his values while driving Biotronics forward. Her motto, “Love what you do and do it perfectly in a fair play,” reflects her passion for excellence and integrity.

Years with the company: 10

Years in current position: 5

Artemis Pnevmatikou

Company: TechIsland

Position: Head of PR & Communications

Pnevmatikou, Head of PR & Communications at TechIsland, is a true innovator whose career seamlessly blends technology and effective communication, driving transformative change in both fields. Pnevmatikou's leadership is evident in her strategic initiatives, which have significantly contributed to TechIsland's mission of turning Cyprus into a thriving tech hub. Her work has not only advanced the national economy but also set new standards in PR and communication within the tech industry. Beyond her professional achievements, Pnevmatikou is an inspiring figure, especially for women in the tech field. She is a vocal advocate for strategic networking and continuous learning, encouraging the next generation to break stereotypes and bridge the gender gap in technology. Her vast participation in organizing initiatives such as Women in Tech underscores her dedication to creating an inclusive and supportive community. Pnevmatikou has been integral to the field of communications and advertising in Cyprus for over 15 years. From Head of Marketing and PR for the relaunch of Cyprus Airways, to Country Manager at Action Global Communications, her holistic grasp of all areas of business, coupled with her unique strength in helping people achieve their true potential, have been key to her ongoing success. Pnevmatikou led a team of 12 at Action Cyprus and restructured the company offering in a challenging post-COVID era, driving innovative and impactful communication campaigns for corporate and lifestyle brands like H&M, EU projects, EBRD, AUDI, KEAN & Cybarco. She since moved to TechIsland, as Head of PR and Communications, where she continues to demonstrate remarkable talent, significantly enhancing the association's public image with her characteristic collaborative work ethos with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. Pnevmatikou possesses a rare combination of knowledge, optimism, rapport, and leadership that are effective in inspiring and guiding everyone around her. She has an abundance of energy and empathy. As a certified NLP Coach, her commitment to professional development and mentorship are part of her long-established ethical conduct, ensuring transparency and integrity in all her professional interactions. Known for her innovative approach to problem-solving, and her ability to think outside the box and implement cutting-edge solutions, her clear and persuasive communication skills have been instrumental in building strong relationships and securing essential partnerships in all her positions.

Years with the company: 1,5

Years in current position: 1,5

Ivan Vorobev

Company: Cubic Games

Position: CMO

As CMO, Ivan Vorobyov has successfully led marketing initiatives, advertising monetization, and analytics. During his tenure, he achieved: - Doubled Marketing ROI - 15% Year-over-Year Growth in Advertising Revenue - Developed a Traffic Attribution Model that is now applied consistently across all projects within the GDEV holding.

Years with the company: 3

Years in current position: 3

Through the CBN Young Dragon Awards, Cyprus Business News will reward and celebrate new talents, potential and their early achievements in the business sector.

The CBN Young Dragon Awards will honour professionals/executives under the age of 40 who have demonstrated outstanding achievement, leadership and commitment to making a positive impact on their companies.

One person will receive the Dragon Award for each category, starting a new or renewed business and career path.

This year's awards ceremony is presented by Cyta Business and also supported by Punin Group and ECOMMBX, proudly highlighting the value and importance of the institution.

Those members of the public who wish to participate in the voting can only vote for one candidate per category, while you do not have to choose a candidate in all categories for your vote to be valid. You can vote via the same IP address only once.

To take part in the vote click HERE