The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) confirmed on Wednesday the appointment of George Karatzias as its new chairman, following a Cabinet decision last week.

The commission also confirmed the appointment of Loukas Lagoudis as vice chairman, with Andrea Moundis Savvides also joining the commission’s board.

Karatzias returned to the leadership of CySEC after previously serving as the organisation’s vice chairman from September 2021 until April 2024.

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 (CBC).

“Assuming the presidency of the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission is both a distinct honour and a significant responsibility, which I undertake with a full appreciation of the Commission’s role and mission,” Karatzias said.

He also thanked the President of the Republic, the finance minister and the members of the Council of Ministers for the confidence placed in him through his appointment.

“CySEC stands at the forefront of safeguarding market transparency, integrity, and the orderly functioning of the financial markets,” Karatzias added.

He stated that the commission’s role was becoming increasingly important as financial markets evolved and faced new challenges and opportunities, particularly in maintaining investor confidence and strengthening Cyprus’ international credibility.

“Our priorities will be to ensure effective and modern supervision, strengthen investor protection, and promote a framework that fosters transparency, innovation, and the sustainable development of the capital market,” Karatzias said.

He further mentioned that he would work with the vice chairman, board members and CySEC staff to strengthen the institution and protect the credibility of the Cypriot capital market.

“I assume my new duties with determination, a clear vision, and a full awareness of the responsibilities that accompany this role,” Karatzias said.

“In close cooperation with the vice-chairman, the members of the board, and the commission’s dedicated staff, we will work with consistency, effectiveness, and commitment to further strengthen the institution and safeguard the credibility of the Cypriot capital market,” he added.

Karatzias previously led the investment funds sector at Alter Domus Cyprus from 2011 until the end of 2020, having earlier worked for international audit firms after beginning his career in 2006.

He also served two terms as a board member and vice chairman of the Fund Administrators Committee of the Cyprus Investment Funds Association (CIFA).

He was also a member of the Investment Funds Committee of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus (ICPAC).

Karatzias is a Fellow of ACCA and holds a master’s degree in Marketing and Financial Services from the University of Exeter.

Lagoudis, the new vice chairman, had served as a non-executive member of the CySEC board since October 2024, before taking up his new position on September 15, 2026.

He brings experience across banking, financial services, investment management and blockchain, including senior positions in banking and blockchain advisory.

His previous roles included serving as a director of VIP 360 Ltd and holding portfolio and investment management positions covering venture capital, biotechnology and fintech.

Earlier in his career, Lagoudis held senior positions in financial research, portfolio management and risk management with international financial institutions in London, including Argo Capital, Standard Chartered, Credit Suisse, GAM, Millennium Global Investments and HSBC Asset Management.

He is an alumnus of the Saïd Business School’s University of Oxford Blockchain Strategy Programme 2018 and holds an MSc in Risk Management from Southampton University and a BSc in Physics from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.