A day in the life of Marina Hadjimanolis

Cyprus’ Deputy Minister of Shipping, Marina Hadjimanolis, is always on the go, committed to the countless demands of her work and family life as a mother of 21-year-old Harris and 16-year-old twin girls, Melanie and Christina.

Born in Famagusta and a resident of Limassol, she firmly believes in the power of collaboration, loves listening to other people’s ideas, and is driven by a passion for passing on her knowledge to the younger generation. Before launching her career as a practising lawyer, she obtained her a Bachelor of Laws (LLB Hons) from the University of Leicester and was called to the bar at Lincoln’s Inn. Today, she devotes all her time and energy to her ministerial duties.

Morning

“I try to get a minimum of six hours of sleep because it helps my mind relax but I don’t always manage and I often just get five hours. I usually get up at 05:30 every morning – I firmly believe that a morning routine sets the pace for the rest of the day. My father taught us to be well-organised and always prepared to achieve our goals. I begin by reviewing the things I must do throughout the day and setting goals. I also check my calendar to prepare for meetings and go over any addresses for the event(s) I’ll be attending. My main priority is to spend some time with my daughters before we each get on with our day.”

Work

“As an early starter, I have a coffee on my way to work and a quick snack (usually toast) at the office during breaks. I’m at the office by 07:30 as I enjoy the quiet before everything starts. My day usually involves industry meetings and prepping with my team for upcoming meetings, trips and events. We frequently travel the world as part of our mission to promote Cyprus shipping abroad, which inevitably involves daily coordination and close cooperation with our offices abroad.

My agenda also includes meetings with the Ministry’s management team, as I believe it’s very important to work closely with people who share your vision and goals. I encourage them to be involved, to think outside the box, and, of course, to get the job done! I also participate in Ministerial Council meetings, usually once a week, and I like the fact that no two days are ever the same.

Extensive travel for work allows me to engage in a holistic manner with diverse cultures, strategies and the advantages offered by other shipping nations. I’m very honoured and proud to represent Cyprus abroad, serving as my country’s voice at international fora. My father was involved in politics and, as a child, I would accompany him to his meetings. From a young age, it fascinated me that you could positively influence people with your words, and I wanted to do the same!”

Evening and downtime

“I don’t go home at a specific time and my programme varies each day, depending on the meetings or events I attend. I take work home as I like to study and be well-prepared. Shipping is a global industry that deals with unprecedented and unpredictable events, so I want to be ready to respond to and handle any challenges at any time of the day. When I’m at home, I also try to be involved in my daughters’ activities, which leaves little time for anything else.

My weekends are spent with family and friends, relaxing at home and catching up if I don’t have any obligations representing the Government. Despite the difficulties and the long hours away from home, I feel very blessed that I’ve been fortunate enough to contribute positively to society throughout my career, especially during my six-year term as a Municipal Councillor and now as a government minister. My children are very supportive and understand the commitments and obligations that come with my job.”

Hobbies and interests

Cooking

“I enjoy cooking, especially with my children. It always reminds me of my mother. The love and nourishment she provided through her cooking created memories that I also want to pass on to my children, especially over Christmas and Easter, when all the family gathers at my house.”

Reading

“I love reading, especially during holidays or when traveling – it relaxes my mind. I haven’t had time to read many books lately, as I am mostly consumed by work-related reading but the next book I plan to read is Angela Merkel’s biography. One of my favourite books is Living, Loving & Learning by Leo Buscaglia.”

Listening

“I enjoy good music and always listen to music in the car. I prefer Greek music but it all depends on the mood of the day. I don’t play an instrument but I’m very pleased that I persuaded my son to learn guitar from a young age. I’m happy when he and his friends gather at home, playing their guitars and singing.”

Watching

“I love going to the cinema, especially with my children, to watch Marvel movies. My favourite movie is Politiki Kouzina (A Touch of Spice). Every time I watch that film, my mind is taken back to my grandparents’ stories of the Turkish invasion.”

Travel

“I like to spend any spare time outside of work with my family, enjoying small getaways around Cyprus. London is my favourite destination abroad and I always love to re-visit it but if I could live and work anywhere in the world, it would be in Athens.”

Sport

“From a young age, I loved playing tennis. I also encouraged my children to get involved in sports and I am happy that my daughters do karate and have represented Cyprus in international competitions. I like watching football, especially the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. It’s something that I did with my son when he was young and we still enjoy it. I grew up supporting Anorthosis – the team of my hometown – and AEK Athens, as my father was a supporter. My children support Apollon Limassol, so I am happy when their team wins.”

(Photos by Giorgos Charal)

(This article first appeared in the 2024 edition of The Cyprus Journal of Wealth Management, commissioned by Eurobank Cyprus and published by IMH. Click here to view the article. Click here to view the entire magazine online.)