George Karatzias Appointed New CySEC Chairman Following Council of Ministers Decision

New Leadership Takes the Helm at Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) has officially entered a new era of leadership following a recent decision by the Council of Ministers. Mr. George Karatzias has assumed the role of Chairman of CySEC, succeeding previous leadership and bringing a wealth of regulatory and financial sector experience back to the Commission. Alongside his appointment, Mr. Loukas Lagoudis has been named Vice Chairman, and Ms. Andrea Moundis Savvides joins as a new member of the Board. The announcement highlights a strategic shift towards prioritising investor protection, market transparency, and the sustainable development of Cyprus's capital markets.

In his inaugural statement, Chairman Karatzias emphasised that investor protection and market integrity remain at the core of the regulator's strategic priorities. In an economic landscape defined by constant evolution and emerging challenges, Karatzias stressed the pivotal role that robust supervision plays in maintaining investor confidence and bolstering the international credibility of the Cypriot financial sector. His stated priorities include ensuring modern and effective supervision, fostering innovation, and maintaining close cooperation with the Vice Chairman, Board members, and the regulator's dedicated staff to strengthen the institution.

Background on the New Leadership Team

The newly appointed leadership team brings extensive domestic and international financial experience to CySEC at a critical time for the jurisdiction:

• George Karatzias, Chairman: Mr. Karatzias is no stranger to the Commission, having previously served as CySEC's Vice Chairman from September 2021 to April 2024. Most recently, from May 2024 until his appointment as Chairman, he served as an Executive Member of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Cyprus. His background also includes leading the investment funds sector at Alter Domus Cyprus from 2011 to 2020, extensive experience with international audit firms, and leadership roles within the Cyprus Investment Funds Association (CIFA) and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus (ICPAC). He is a Fellow of ACCA and holds a Master's degree from the University of Exeter.
• Loukas Lagoudis, Vice Chairman: Mr. Lagoudis transitions to the role of Vice Chairman after serving as a non-executive member of the CySEC Board since October 2024. He brings a diverse and modern background spanning traditional banking, financial services, investment management, and blockchain technology. His career includes senior portfolio and investment management positions in venture capital, biotechnology, and fintech, alongside advisory roles in blockchain. Earlier in his career, he held senior positions in financial research, portfolio management, and risk management with leading international financial institutions in London, including Standard Chartered, Credit Suisse, HSBC Asset Management, and Millennium Global Investments. He is an alumnus of the University of Oxford's Said Business School Blockchain Strategy Programme, holds an MSc in Risk Management from Southampton University, and a BSc in Physics from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

What This Means for Investors and Regulated Firms

For regulated entities operating within or through Cyprus—ranging from investment funds and asset managers to Cyprus Investment Firms (CIFs)—this leadership transition signals both continuity and a reinforced commitment to rigorous oversight. Given Chairman Karatzias's deep familiarity with both banking supervision at the Central Bank and investment funds regulation, market participants can anticipate a regulatory environment that prioritises compliance, transparency, and high standards of corporate governance.

Furthermore, the inclusion of Vice Chairman Lagoudis, with his extensive background in fintech, blockchain, and international risk management, underscores CySEC's readiness to address the complexities of modern financial digitalisation. As European regulatory frameworks continue to tighten and evolve, the new leadership team is well-positioned to navigate cross-border challenges while safeguarding the reputation of the Cypriot capital market as a secure, transparent, and innovation-friendly hub.

This article covers an official CySEC announcement. For more information, corrections or tips, contact report@cyprus-insider.com.