This Anniversary brings together the entire Greek Shipping community in the United Kingdom in one of the Square Mile’s most interesting environments, the impressive Italianate palace designed by Thomas Collcutt, one of the most iconic buildings in the world, and now the famed address of Lloyd’s Register; an event never to be missed as it combines tradition, business continuity, trust and fun! Anny Zade writes:
Once again a full house with over 200 guests – the majority being members of London’s three-centuries-old Greek Shipping community – heard Tom Boardley – the marine director of Lloyd’s Register, extend a cordial welcome and wishes of all kinds for the New Year and for the shipping business as a whole.
Tom Boardley addressing the guests
This annual Vasilopita event – the cutting of the traditional Greek New Year’s cake, is now more than an established event in the City, paying respect to the Greeks, their tradition and maritime values. With an hour of intense networking until everybody invited arrived, the warm up for a great event began!
As both the chairman Thune Andersen as well as the CEO Richard Sadler were on other important missions – for the first time coinciding with this event, Tom Boardley successfully did the rituals! He did very well, as if he has been practising for many days before… Holding the knife, he made the traditional three crosses – then the first four slices: First for Jesus, Second for St Nicholas, Third for Greek shipping in general and the Fourth forLloyd’s Register!
Tom Boardley cutting the Vasilopita
Stathes Kulukundis
The lucky man was Stathes Kulukundis from R&K winning the sovereign!
Among the main announcements was that of the appointment of Theodossis Stamatelos as head of operations for Lloyd’s Register in Greece and EMEA, as Apo Poulovassilis was to continue his shipping career in another major shipping conglomerate.
There was Julieta Demetriades, once again leading the children’s chorus from the Hellenic College who sang traditional Greek and English carols; and with excellent drinks and home-cooked Greek dishes the event went on until late.
Amongst the guests we spotted the Greek Ambassador Constantinos Bikas, the Greek Defence Attaché Captain (HN) Apostolos Trivlides, the Assistant Maritime Attaché Commander (HCG) Antonis Doumanis, and George J. Margaronis from Helikon Shipping, Dimitris Monioudis of R & K and president of HESGB, Takis Markatos from Lyras Maritime, Captain Theodore Lembessis and Sotiris Milissis from Elka Shipping.
Theodosis Stamatellos and John Dimitrakopoulos
Dr. Nikos Mikelis, Dimitris Atalianes and Nicholas Christodoulou from the Cyprus Shipping Office and representatives at the IMO, Spyros Polemis and his daughter Anna of Seacrest and Remi respectively – add the Vori restaurant in the heart of the Piraeus port, George Foustanos from Andros Maritime and deputy president of the HESGB, Struan Robertson and Chris Papathanassiou from Clarkson, Andreas A. Tsavliris and his son Alexander, Dimitris Benetis from the Royal Bank of Scotland, Alex Xenakis, Stavriana Asprogiannidou from Willis, Julian Bray from TradeWinds, and John Frangoulis.
The children’s chorus from the Hellenic College performing
Harry J. Fafalios from Fafalios Shipbrokers and chairman of the GSCC, Commodore (Rt. HCG) Costas Amarantides Director of the GSCC, Christina Ntaouti, Panos Kalaras, and Andreas Papadakis of A.P & A in London.
George J. Margaronis and Robert Smart
Takis N. Pappas was there too, as was Lilian Evgenidis former allaboutshipping social correspondent and now with TeeKay, Alexandros Kedros and Alex Scopelitis (last year’s sovereign winner) from Southern Shipping and Finance in London, Paris Magriotis from LOC, John M. Hadjipateras, Lambros Varnavides former head of RBS’s Shipping Division and now chairman of Lloyd’s Register Foundation.
Spyros Polemis and his daughter Anna
John Vanezos from IACS was as ever present, Nicholas Skinitis of Hermes Shipbrokers, and many others including over 15 Lloyd’s Register Society members, among them Joanna M. Townsend, Gwynne Lewis, Robert Smart, Natali Doulgeraki, Greek(!) speaking David Barrow, Mark Stokes, Nicholas Brown, Dominic Miller, Kostas Deilakis, Nigel Worsley, Leonidas Karistios, Angus Fairley, and Costas Pappadakis. From Greece John Demitrakopoulos …carried the flag!
Lambros Varnavides and Tom Boardley
Interesting and valued gifts for the occasion were given to all guests. We look forward to many more Lloyd’s Register events!
