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

As votes continue to arrive in great numbers, Members of the public have until 26 November to support their preferred candidates and vote 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, for a few more days, 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 Financial Services (Banking, Investing, Insurance, other financial services) award category, as selected by the Awards Committee, are:

• Christos M. Ioannou | Head Private & Affluent Banking | Bank of Cyprus
• Sergey Smirnov | Group Financial Controller | DataArt (Cyprus)
• Nikos Kyriakou | Director of Enterprise Risk Management | eToro Europe

Christos M. Ioannou

Company: Bank of Cyprus

Position: Head Private & Affluent Banking

Ioannou was the first Chief Transformation Officer of the Group, and he has demonstrated exceptional leadership capabilities, driving pivotal initiatives that have significantly enhanced the company's performance and efficiency. His strategic vision and execution prowess were evident in the development and launch of innovate products such as Quick Loans, providing online access to personal loans, credit cards, overdrafts and auto loans, fully automated with digital signatures for seamless customer transactions. Under his leadership, the re-organization of the branch network was executed with remarkable efficiency. This included redefining roles and responsibilities, implementing automation and centralizations resulting in increased operational efficiency and improved customer experience. Ioannou also spearheaded the creation of a new digital and remote sales team, effectively boosting sales through digital channels. A data-driven leader, Ioannou led the segmentation of the Bank's client base through advanced data analytics, enabling the tailoring of product offerings to meet diverse customer needs. In parallel with the business transformation program, his oversight of the Bank's culture change program was transformative, introducing initiatives like the Intrapreneurship competition and the launch of BoC Academy. Currently, Ioannou is pivotal in enhancing the Bank's Private and Affluent banking offering through PrivilEDGE, a brand-new value proposition which creates a one-stop shop for client banking and investment needs through a series of perks and high-quality support.

Years with the company: 8

Years in current position: 6 months

Sergey Smirnov

Company: DataArt (Cyprus) Ltd.

Position: Group Financial Controller

As Group Financial Controller at DataArt Group, Smirnov oversees financial operations in 20 countries, upholding US GAAP and IFRS standards. He manages monthly global financial closures, crafts financial statements, and sets up robust consolidation systems. He's adeptly shifted the company's accounting to NetSuite, boosting efficiency. Smirnov 's key achievements include establishing financial infrastructures in new markets, handling intercompany dealings, and upholding internal control compliance. He's crucial in due diligence for mergers, offering insights and aiding with integration. His work also spans improving CRM and budgeting processes, and advancing automation. He exemplifies leadership by promoting excellence and progress in the financial department. His innovative approach is seen in his push to automate financial systems, enhancing scalability and operational efficiency. Smirnov is known for his collaborative skills, maintaining transparent communication with auditors, partners, and global teams. He's skilled in data analysis, reporting, and supporting audits and due diligence, ensuring timely, precise data sharing for strategic decisions. Overall, Smirnov 's role at DataArt Group highlights his financial expertise, leadership, innovation, and collaborative prowess.

Years with the company: 8

Years in current position: 8

Nikos Kyriakou

Company: eToro Europe

Position: Director of Enterprise Risk Management

Kyriakou has demonstrated exceptional leadership talent within our organization.

At eToro, he has spearheaded various risk domains, collaborating with top management and multiple teams to establish critical risk management processes and frameworks. His efforts proved invaluable during the crypto and banking crisis of 2023, protecting the company from significant exposure and losses related to counterparts such as FTX, Signature Bank, and Silvergate.

Kyriakou has successfully promoted and managed several vital infrastructure projects, including the development of a robust enterprise risk management framework and credit risk management policy from the ground up. He established risk appetite across different domains, created effective monitoring and governance for Best Execution, reduced exposure to high-risk counterparts, and implemented ongoing monitoring processes, which are crucial, especially in today’s volatile market. Strategic planning and execution skills have made a significant impact on the unit's recent successes.

As a Manager, he has demonstrated strong leadership qualities and achieved remarkable results in his work. He effectively delegates tasks, encourages decision-making, and conducts regular meetings to ensure alignment and assess his team's needs.

Overall, Kyriakou's exceptional leadership, talent, and achievements in the field of Risk Management make him an outstanding candidate for an award that acknowledges his significant contributions. His ability to navigate complex risk domains and drive successful outcomes positions him as a true leader in the industry.

Years with the company: 6

Years in current position: 5

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