Meet our 2023 Speakers
DEX HUNTER-TORRICKE
DeepMind Google/ SpaceX Head of Global Communications & Marketing Dex Hunter-Torricke is Head of Global Communications & Marketing for Google DeepMind, one of the world's leading AI labs. Among other roles, Dex has formerly served as head of communications for SpaceX, head of executive communications for Facebook, and as executive speechwriter for Google. Dex began his career as speechwriter and spokesperson for the office of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. A New York Times-bestselling ghostwriter, Dex regularly speaks about the social, economic and organizational impacts of new technologies. |
DHIRAJ MUKHERJEE
Shazam Entertainment Co-founder Dhiraj Mukherjee is the Co-founder of Shazam Entertainment, the world’s first mobile phone-based music recognition service. Shazam was acquired by Apple in 2017 for a reported $400 million. Recognised by the Financial Times as one of Europe’s Top 50 technology entrepreneurs in 2015, and elected a member of The Digital Banking Club’s “Power 50” in 2016, Dhiraj was previously Head of Banking Innovation at Virgin Money, where he was responsible for developing new digital banking services, including one aimed at serving 2.2 million students in the UK. He is now an active angel investor focused on emerging technologies and “Tech for Good,” and was selected for Smith & Williamson’s “Power 100” in 2017 for supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in the U.K. Dhiraj has a degree in Mathematical Economics from Dartmouth College, USA and an MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. He speaks regularly at conferences on innovation, entrepreneurship and emerging technology. |
CALUM CHACE
Best-selling writer and sought-after speaker on artificial intelligence Calum Chace is a best-selling writer and sought-after speaker on artificial intelligence. He focuses on the medium- and long-term impact of AI on all of us as individuals, societies and economies. His non-fiction books on AI are The Economic Singularity, about the prospect of widespread technological unemployment, and Surviving AI, about the likelihood of strong AI and superintelligence. Calum is also the author of Pandora's Brain, a techno-thriller about the first superintelligence. He runs a blog on the subject at pandoras-brain.com. Before becoming a full-time writer and speaker, Calum had a 30-year career in journalism and business, in which he was a marketer, a strategy consultant and a CEO. He maintains his interest in business by serving as chairman and coach for a selection of growing companies. In 2000 he co-wrote The Internet Startup Bible, a business best-seller published by Random House. A long time ago, Calum studied philosophy at Oxford University, where he discovered that the science fiction he had been reading since boyhood was actually philosophy in fancy dress. |
Prof. JOHN OLIVER
Leading academic in the field of media management and a former President of the European Media Management Association Prof. John Oliver is a leading academic in the field of media management and a former President of the European Media Management Association. He has a successful track record in delivering world class impact from his research which has informed the UK Government’s Innovation Strategy, UK communications policy and regulation, and influenced the public policy debate on internet regulation. His research into ‘strategic organisational transformation’ resulted in multi-million pound investments made by FTSE 100 firms. Prof. Oliver currently serves as an advisor to the Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology’s Horizon Scanning & Foresight Committee. |
ALINA SAUER
BMW Group Global lead of the UI/UX design communication Alina Sauer is the global lead of the BMW Group UI/UX design communication. For years, the UI/UX design of BMW Group vehicles has borne the signature of Alina Sauer. Until the beginning of 2023, she was the global design project leader for UI/UX series development, helping to develop five BMW Group operating system generations, starting with classic controller operation and touch-first interaction and ending with a holistic user experience for the customer. Alina Sauer studied interaction design and design strategy at the University of Augsburg. Her current focus at BMW Group is on the perfect interplay of interaction principles, design and technology. Telling and showing the resulting holistic experience for the customer and the design story behind it is Alina Sauer's daily mission. |
Dr. GEORGE PECHLIVANOGLOU
Director General of Eunice Energy Group George Pechlivanoglou studied mechanical engineering (BSc) and completed the MSc in renewable energy technology at the University of Oldenburg, Germany. He completed his doctoral dissertation (Ph.D.) in the field of wind turbine aeroservoelasticity at TU Berlin, Germany, and did post-doctoral work at the same institute. Has published more than 90 scientific papers and holds more than 13 national and international patents. George Pechlivanoglou has 18 years of industrial experience in the wind energy market and 10 years of experience as a wind energy expert designer and wind turbine technical inspector with international collaborations and a global project portfolio. He held the position of the technical director of SMART BLADE GmbH for 8 years and has established several global collaborations with corporations like 3M, Vestas, Nordex, etc. He is the former Wind Energy Committee Chair at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and a member of the German Chamber of Engineers (VDI) as well as the former representative of the Technical University of Berlin at the European Academy of Wind Energy (EAWE). Dr. G. Pechlivanoglou currently holds the position of Director General of Eunice Energy Group. |
KYRIAKOS KOKKINOS
Εx-Deputy Minister to the President for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Kyriacos Kokkinos is the Ex-Deputy Minister to the President for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy. He previously served as the Chief Scientist for Research & Innovation of the Republic of Cyprus, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Research & Innovation Foundation and Member of the National Board of Research & Innovation. He is a distinguished professional with 30 years of experience in Executive Management, Technology and Business Consulting, served at senior Executive roles in global corporations such as IBM Europe (Executive Director & Partner) and PwC. He also served at the Board of Directors of many Organisations, including Invest Cyprus (Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency - CIPA), the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO), the Cyprus Port Authority (CPA), and the Board of Trustees of the Cyprus Institute. He is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions for professional excellence, including the ‘Business Leader of the Year Award’ 2016, by Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and the ‘Quality Leader Award 2015’ by Cyprus Quality Association. |
Prof. PANAYIOTIS ZAPHIRIS
Rector of Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) Prof Panayiotis Zaphiris is since 2020 the Rector of Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) and since 2022 the Chair of the Cyprus Rectors’ Conference. He is a Professor at the Multimedia and Graphic Arts Department of CUT. He holds a PhD in Human Computer Interaction from Wayne State University, USA. He is also a graduate of Engineering Systems and Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park, USA. Prior to returning to Cyprus, he was a Reader at the Center for Human Computer Interaction Design of City University of London, where he founded and led the City Interaction Lab (funded by the Vodafone Foundation). Prior to City University, he was a researcher at the Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University where he took a PhD in Human Computer Interaction (HCI). His research interests are in HCI, UX/UI with an emphasis on participatory design and social aspects of Computing focusing on designing interactive systems for the elderly and the disabled. Prof Zaphiris has participated in more than 20 funded research projects with a funding of more than 7 million euros. He has published over 250 academic articles in well-known academic journals and international conferences. Recent related research activities include leading the academic management of the Youth Makerspace Larnaka (the 1st Makerspace founded in Cyprus), being the PI of HORIZON 2020 TWINNING project NOTRE and a founding member of CYENS a Research and Innovation Centre of Excellence in Cyprus focusing on Interactive media, Smart systems and emerging technologies. |
MICHAEL OIKONOMOU
Entrepreneur, co-founder Foody, AtYourService, Ideas2life Michael is an Entrepreneur, with Business & Technology foundations. He was the co-founder of Ideas2life, AtYourService as well as Foody, an online delivery platform and one of the most prominent ventures in Cyprus’ digital landscape, acquired by a global group in 2019. Michael as the co-founder of foody and later CEO, was leading the Business Development & Operations efforts helping scaling the company from zero to a great business and into one of biggest companies in the country. He stepped down in 2023 with lots of learnings and aspirations to pursue his next entrepreneurial journeys. |
IRENE PIKI
Deputy Minister to the President Irene Piki is the Deputy Minister to the President since 1st March 2023. She studied Economics in the UK, (BSc Regional Science – Economics and Human Geography) at the University of Reading, followed by an MSc on Environmental and Natural Resources Economics at University College London (UCL). She was employed in the public service of the Republic of Cyprus as a career technocrat from 1997 to 2023, at various posts with a wide range portfolio, which includes issues relating to the economy, environment, regional policy, reforms and investments, as well as European issues. In September 2019 she took over as Head of the Strategy, Coordination and Communication Directorate at the Ministry of Finance. In March 2021 she was promoted to Director of Finance and in October 2022 she became the Director of Economic Policy and European Affairs. She has served as member of the Board of Directors of Invest Cyprus (CIPA), the Research and Innovation Foundation, the Cyprus Organization for Standardization, as well as the Cyprus Economy and Competitiveness Council. She has also represented Cyprus in various EU Committees relating to economic and cohesion policy issues. |
DENNY KALLIVOKA
Food & Spirits Journalist, Partner Difford’s Guide, Founder Metron Ariston, co-organizer Athens Cocktail Festival, Athens Rum & Whisky Festival, Cyprus Cocktail Festival Denny studied Marketing Management and completed a Masters in Art in Media Communications in the City University of London. In 2003 she challenged herself by leaving her career as Conference Organizer for her passion. Food & Drinks and became active in journalism, writing about Food, Wine & Spirits as an editor or editor in chief for the most important newspapers & publications in Greece. She is also the Initiator & Founder of Metron Ariston- Making Responsibility a Trend, a Partner of Difford’s Guide Greece & Cyprus, founder of Aegean Cocktails & Spirits, co-organizer of the Athens Cocktail Festival, The Athens Rum & Whisky Festival and the Cyprus Cocktail Festival. She is a member of the jury committee of Gastronomos Cyprus Awards, of Cyprus 50 Best Restaurants. She has been member of the committee of the Athinorama Toq d’Or Awards for 8 years, of The Gourmet Awards and a judge in various national and international wine, spirits and cocktail competitions. She has been active on supporting localization, sustainable practices, equality, inclusivity and discerning drinking long before it all became a common practice. Founding Metron Ariston Making Responsibility a Trend in 2019 was a means to inspire responsibility in the younger generation of the bar industry . As for the rest Denny leaves to travel, to experience, to create, to dream. Since 18 she has been traveling around the world tasting. |
EVGENIOS EVGENIOU
Chairman of Invest Cyprus Chairman of Invest Cyprus, member of the National Board for Research and Innovation, of the Council of the University of Cyprus and of the Corporate Governance committee of the ICAEW. Currently a non-executive director. Had a 31-year career with PwC serving as Chairman and CEO of PwC Cyprus (2012-2021) and member of the PwC EMEA Leadership Team (2014 - 2021). Beyond commercial success key achievements included: technological transformation; digital upskilling of personnel; readying for the future of work; developing the data analytics, Cyber security, and AI capabilities; launching the PwC Experience Centre. An Imperial College London engineering graduate and a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA). He completed the INSEAD International Directors and the Harvard Direct Leadership programmes. |
ANNITA DEMETRIOU
PRESIDENT OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Place of origin and date of birth: Troulloi, Larnaka District, and Famagusta (occupied by Turkish troops), 18 October 1985. Marital status: Married to Andreas Kyprianou. Studies: Social and Political Sciences (University of Cyprus) and MA in International Relations and European Studies (University of Kent, United Kingdom). Profession before election: Political Scientist. Foreign languages: English. Parliamentary tenure/activity: Representative of Larnaka constituency under the banner of DISY since June 2016. On 10 June 2021 she was elected President of the House of Representatives for the Twelfth Parliamentary Term of the House. Has previously served as: - Clerk of the House (2016-2021). - Deputy Chairperson of the House Standing Committee on Human Rights and on Equal Opportunities for Men and Women and of the House Standing Committee on Educational Affairs and Culture. - Member of the House Standing Committee on Development Plans and Public Expenditure Control and of the House Standing Committee on the Environment. Currently serves as: - Ex officio Chairperson of the Committee of Selection. - Ex officio Chairperson of the Special Committee on Ethics for the Members of the House of Representatives. - Ex officio Chairperson of the Special House Committee on Declaration and Examination of Financial Interests. - Ex officio Chairperson of the House Standing Committee on the Observance of the Rules of Procedure of the House of Representatives. - Chairperson of the Ad Hoc House Committee on the Review and Update of the Rules of Procedure of the House of Representatives. - Head of DISY parliamentary group in the House since March 2023. - Ambassador on behalf of the House of Representatives of the Women Political Leaders’ Network since 2019. Attending: - World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments (jointly organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the United Nations). - Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC). - Conference of Speakers of European Union Parliaments. - Conference of Presidents of Parliament of Small European States. Political career: - Member of the Troulloi Community Council (2012-2016). - Secretary for the Troulloi Local Committee of DISY (2013-2015). - Financial manager of DISY Larnaka District (2014-2016). - Spokesperson for Nicos Anastasiades (current President of the Republic of Cyprus) during his campaign for the presidential elections in 2018. - Vice President of DISY (2020-2023). - President of DISY since March 2023. |
PHILIPPOS HADJIZACHARIAS
Deputy Minister οf Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Philippos Hadjizacharias was born in Larnaca in 1975. He is a graduate of the Larnaca Pancyprian High School and he has completed his military service with the rank of Airforce Captain. He holds a degree in Accounting from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, and holds degrees in AAT, FCCA, MA Taxation in European Law from the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in London, and a certificate in Effective Leadership from the University of Oxford, UK. After completing his training as an Accountant-Auditor in the UK, he started his career with one of the major audit firms in Cyprus. He is a founding member of PHS & Partners and the CEO of the company until his appointment as a Deputy Minister in the Government of President Nikos Christodoulides. He is a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus, where he has served on various committees. He served as a non-executive Director as well as financial and tax advisor in various multinational companies prior to his appointment. He has written several articles on tax-related issues including:
Additionally, he has taught at various universities and institutions in Cyprus and abroad on topics such as taxation and accounting. He has been a regular columnist for newspapers and economic magazines/websites, and he has participated as a guest speaker in television shows. He is engaged with Mrs Sandra Hadjizacharias and has 3 children. |
VALENTINOS POLYKARPOU
Chairman of TechIsland, General Manager, Wargaming Valentinos Polykarpou studied Political Science at The University of Cyprus and then went on to complete a Master’s in political science at the French National School of Political Sciences (Sciences Po Paris). Building on his studies he started his career in political communication and electoral analysis and then made the transition to the business world. He joined Wargaming as Communication and HR Manager in 2014. Today he is Executive Director Global HR Ops and Services and since 2018 the General Manager for the company’s Headquarters and Operations in Cyprus. Wargaming is an award-winning online game developer and publisher. It is one of the leaders in the gaming industry with 5000+ employees and offices all over the world. Over 200 million players enjoy Wargaming’s titles across all major gaming platforms. |
RIAZ SHAH
Professor of Practise – Leadership & Innovation, Hult International Business School Until recently Riaz was a partner for 27 years at EY, the global professional services firm. His experience included serving clients in Assurance and Technology Consulting and having various management roles including Assurance MP in London and COO of Markets. His last role was Global Learning Leader, preparing EY’s 400,000 people for the future of work, which included delivering more than 20 million hours of learning annually, and creating several world-first innovations. He is currently working on a portfolio of projects, including working with the several governments on education initiatives and developing their entrepreneurship ecosystem, hosting tech programs for senior executives in Silicon Valley, and leading the rollout of XPrize.org in Europe. Riaz is also a Professor of Practice for Innovation & Leadership at Hult International Business School, where he leads sessions with senior executives and Exec MBA students, focusing on global megatrends, digital disruption and innovation. His interests are in technology, education and enterprise. Riaz is a Founder and Chair of The One Degree Academy, a free school in a disadvantaged area of London — www. onedegreeacademy.org – and advises several social enterprises and coaches start-up CEOs. His education is from Bradford University UK (Undergrad), Harvard Business School (AMP180), Singularity University (EP17), and he is a Chartered Accountant. Riaz was awarded an OBE for Services to Education by HM The King in the 2023 New Year’s Honours List. |
ANTONIS POLEMITIS
Chief Executive Officer Of The University Of Nicosia Mr. Polemitis currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the University of Nicosia and EDEX, as a Board member of EDEX and UNICAF, and as a member of the Council of the University of Nicosia. The University of Nicosia (UNIC) serves over 13,000 students, along with over 15,000 additional students in its affiliated academic institutions. UNIC is the largest university in Cyprus, by number of students, and is the largest English language university in southern Europe. Mr. Polemitis helped found the world-leading Digital Currency / Blockchain Initiative at the University of Nicosia, co-taught the first university cryptocurrency course in the world, and is regularly quoted in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Wired and other publications as an expert on cryptocurrency issues. Mr. Polemitis was previously a principal at ACG Capital, a privately held multi-billion dollar investment firm focused on buying and building businesses in financial services, business services, education and oil and gas. Mr. Polemitis holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he graduated with highest distinction as a Baker Scholar (top 5%), and a B.S. in International Studies, Accounting and Computer Information Systems from Indiana University, where he graduated with highest distinction as a Wells and Chancellor's Scholar (top 21 students). Mr. Polemitis also studied at the University of Paris IV (Sorbonne) in Paris as an undergraduate. Mr. Polemitis is an Eagle Scout and Friend of The Explorers Club, the world’s premier scientific exploration society. |
GEORGE TZIORTZIS
Digital Economy and Transformation Advisor to BoC With more than 23 years of professional experience in Transformation and Technology, George has been working with the Bank of Cyprus since 2017 either as a member of the Bank or an advisor to support the leading organization in its efforts of digitalization. He has been responsible for managing the Information Technology, Change Delivery and Digital Transformation functions and was tasked with transforming the Information Technology function based on a next generation operating model, defining and delivering the Digital Transformation roadmap for the Bank, developing. Digital Economy enablement model and delivering change through process optimisation, re-organisation and automation. Currently he is acting as an Advisor to the Bank of Cyprus while leading the EY Cyprus Consulting practice. In the past George also held several management positions within KPMG in the USA, Switzerland and Cyprus where he managed and delivered transformational engagements for clients in different countries and industry sectors with a focus on Banking, Government and Telecommunications. |
ANDREAS NEOCLEOUS
CEO Of CYTA Andreas Neocleous is the first CEO of Cyta, Cyprus’ largest telecommunications organisation, to have been appointed from the private sector. On assuming his duties in January 2019, he redefined the organisation’s vision and set it on a course of growth and dynamic evolution, which has since resulted in a significant increase in revenue and profitability. Under his leadership, Cyta dealt effectively with COVID-19, simultaneously supporting households, businesses and all state services. During the same period, he negotiated and signed a landmark agreement allowing the broadcasting of all Cypriot football matches by all the island’s TV platforms. Before taking up his duties at Cyta, he was, among others, Director of Business and Customer Experience at MTN Cyprus, Commercial Manager at Ericsson and a Senior Technology Analyst at Goldman Sachs in London and New York. Through the course of his career, he has gained deep knowledge and experience of issues relating to leadership, reform, modernisation and corporate culture transformation. He has a PhD in Telecommunications & Digital Signal Processing and a Master of Engineering in Electrical and ElectronicEngineering, both from Imperial College, University of London. |
DEMETRIS LOTTIDES
Digital Agenda Cyprus Summit Founder With the launch of the magazine Must in 1999, Dimitris Lottidis established a small magazine publishing business that, along with his brother Christis, has grown into one of the most significant media conglomerates in the nation. He is regarded as one of Cyprus' media industry's forerunners. He founded numerous Cypriot print and digital publications (such as Man magazine, Beautiful People Magazine, DECO, and WiZ Guide), as well as Must fashion, street festivals, and other events. In 2008, he spearheaded the initiative to publish the historic Athenian newspaper KATHIMERINI in Cyprus as a collaboration with its parent newspaper KATHIMERINI, with the goal of creating Cypriot media characterized by quality and propriety, supporting Cyprus's European direction. He founded the Digital Agenda Cyprus Summit, which aims to establish an annual regional technology conference that will support the country and the broader region as a hub for the exchange of ideas and solutions for humanity's future. He studied journalism and law at the Kapodistrian University of Athens and has a Master's degree in Communication Policy Studies from the CITY University of London. He is a supporter of biodiversity and sustainable development, serves on numerous boards and associations for the media industry, and has been publishing articles on a regular basis for 25 years. |
Dr. MARIA TERZI
Co-Founder and CEO of Malloc Dr. Maria Terzi is the co-founder and CEO of Malloc - an AI-driven privacy and data security startup. Maria holds a Ph.D. in Machine Learning and Recommender Systems, funded by EPSRC. She has previously worked at Google, the KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence, and the University of Cyprus among others. Maria has won two Google hackathons and she was selected as a Secure and Private AI scholar by Facebook. She is in the organizing team of hack{cyprus} contributing to the evolution of the technological ecosystem in Cyprus. |