Biography
Mr. Christos Christou is the founder and editor of the site www.familygovernanceassociates.com He has over 35 years of professional experience and has been a management consultant, a Senior Banker and a principal investor. He has over 25 years experience as a non-executive director in private company boards across different industries and countries (Lithium Battery Technology – UK, Railway wagon leasing – Russia, FMCG – Tunisia, edible oils – Tunisia, European Master Franchisor Childrens Development Program – Belgium, Fixed Income Hedge Fund Manager – UK, Investment Company – Lithuania). He has also completed two successful turnarounds as interim general manager (Solar Cells – Croatia, Ferry Owner/Operator – Italy/Greece). His interest in Corporate Governance began during his work as a Senior Banker at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (“EBRD”) (1992-1999) and whilst leading debt and equity financings to companies in countries transitioning to market economies, including Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. As a private equity investor through funds and individually he has negotiated and formulated governance arrangements in investee companies across different sectors and countries. He has also acted as Senior Advisor on behalf of the EBRD to families wishing to introduce Corporate Governance and Family Governance arrangements in their holdings. He has advised Boards and owners of family businesses on Corporate Governance for over 20 years. He holds degrees in Electrical Engineering (BSc) from Imperial College of Science and Technology, London and an MBA from Harvard Business School, both with academic scholarships. He has also completed further courses at Harvard Business School (Internationalization of Private Equity, the Entrepreneur’s Toolkit), at IMD, Lausanne, and Cranfield Institute of Management (the Non-Executive Director). He is a resident of the UK and a Cypriot passport holder. He was born in 1963.