Governors' Profiles

 

Antonis Petrou

Mr Petrou is married and a father of two girls who have been at the school since pre-reception. He also attended the Junior School from 1979-1987, where he served as Head boy. He has been on the board of the JUSSAA -the Junior and Senior School Alumni Association for the last 3 years. Additionally, he is on the board of the Environmental NGO Enalia Physis since 2009. He holds an MSc form Kings College, University of London in Aquatic Resource Management, and a BSc in Biological Sciences from the University of Westminster.

Professionally he works in the private sector as a Marine Biologist and formed his own consultancy in 2003, employing around 10 scientists. His work involves working with the private and public sectors in Cyprus and with various EU bodies and NGO’s. He represents the Cypriot Small Scale Fisheries Sector in the EU, in the Cyprus Parliament and at various fora.

Vassilios Vrachimis

Mr Vrachimis is the proud father of a daughter and a son at The Junior School.   He is a professional with over 26 years of experience most of which was gained working for PwC in London.  He is currently the Partner in charge of Consulting at PwC Cyprus. He holds a BA(ECON) from the University of Manchester and a holder of professional qualifications (Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus and a CFA® Charterholder). 

Alexia Panayiotou

Mrs Panayiotou is an Associate Professor at the University of Cyprus in the Department of Business and Public Administration and the UNESCO Co-Chair on Gender Equality. She has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Stanford University, a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and a Doctorate in Human Development and Psychology also from Harvard.

She has served in several contexts as a national expert on issues of gender and employment, one of her main research areas, and has consulted the Cypriot government, the European Commission and several Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Cyprus, Europe and the US on these issues. She has served on the board of several NGOs both in Cyprus and in the US and has been a volunteer for the Junior and Senior School in many contexts for the last seventeen years, including the newly founded Senior School Parents and Guardians’ Association. She is the mother of two children, one already having graduated from the School, and the other in year 12. She is passionate about education and a strong advocate of the School and its mission to create caring global citizens.

Evangelos Hadjichristodoulou

Mr Hadjichristodoulou is a highly accomplished professional with a strong educational background and extensive international experience. He earned his BSc in Business Mathematics and Statistics from the London School of Economics, followed by an MSc in Computing from Imperial College London, showcasing his commitment to both analytical and technological excellence.

Over the past 15 years, Evangelos has dedicated his career to Microsoft, where he has consistently excelled in leading complex pre-sales projects across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In his current capacity as a Pursuit Lead, Evangelos plays a pivotal role in driving strategic initiatives and projects, with a special focus on the Nordics and Ireland. Beyond his professional achievements, Evangelos is deeply committed to the educational journey of his children.

His daughter thrives in the Senior School, while his son is shaping his educational foundation in the Junior School. Evangelos's dedication to their growth and development is evident in his proactive involvement in school matters and his genuine passion for fostering a nurturing learning environment

Arion Petasis

Mr Petasis  is the CEO of Coenobium Advisors, a firm that specializes in governance, risk and compliance (GRC) consulting. He previously worked with the Promontory Financial Group (an IBM company), Booz Allen and PwC having completed engagements in 25 countries in Europe, North America and the Middle East. He holds and BA from Oberlin college and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He and his wife are parents of six children, five of whom are currently enrolled at the Junior School.

Doxa Papapetrou

Mrs Papapetrou is a proud parent of two children currently attending the school, aged 12 and 14. She is a practising lawyer and member of the Cyprus Bar Association since 2004, with extensive experience across a broad range of legal areas and has spent over 20 years working in the legal profession. I studied LLB Law at the University of Sheffield, followed by a LLM Master’s degree in European and International Law at the University of North London, and completed the LPC Legal Practice Course at the University of Westminster in London. As both a parent and a professional, Mrs Papapetrou cares deeply about education and the school community. She is honoured to serve on the Board of Governors and looks forward to supporting the school’s continued success and the well-being of all its students.

Christina Parparinou

Mrs Parparinou is a proud mother of three boys — twins and their younger brother — who inspire her every day to face challenges with strength, empathy, and an optimistic outlook.

She is a communications strategist and academic with a strong background in public affairs, education, and social advocacy. She currently serves as a Professor of Public Relations and Politics at the European University. Her previous roles include Parliamentary Spokeswoman at the House of Representatives and Administrative Officer at the Council of Ministers. She holds degrees in Business, Public Relations and Politics, along with an MBA from Kingston University and a professional qualification from the UK’s Chartered of PR.

Education

• MBA, Kingston University, UK
• Chartered PR Professional Title, Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), UK
• BSc in Business Administration, University of Nicosia and University of Cyprus
• KY.S.A.T.S. Recognition, University of Cyprus
• High School of Archbishop Makarios III, Dasoupoli

Public Roles & Volunteering

• Vice President, Young Professionals Organization, Democratic Rally (2015–Present)
• Board Member, “Miracle Babies” Association (2020–Present)
• Board Member, Glafkos Clerides Institute (2024–Present)
• Former Board Member, Cyprus Theatre Organization (2021–2024)
• Former Board Member, The Junior and Senior School, Nicosia (2017–2020)
• Active Member: Europa Donna Cyprus, Cyprus Cancer Association, Cyprus Red Cross

Angelos Panayides

Mr. Panayides is a Junior School alumnus from 1983 and a Gayford House Captain, and the father of two children who completed the Junior School, one of which is currently at the Senior School. His wife is also a Junior School alumna.

He is a Civil Engineer by training from Imperial College and Cornell Universities with an additional Master’s in Business Administration from INSEAD. Since 2007, he has been managing a project management consultancy for construction projects.

Through this role, he was engaged by the school in 2015 as the project manager for the relocation of the Senior School to its current premises, its renovation and for the construction of the Annex building.

He is honoured to be part of the Board of Governors and hopes to add value using the planning and management skills that he has developed over the years.

Tonia Gavas

Mrs. Gavas is a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and also holds a Finance degree.

She is a Senior Executive with over 25 years of experience in finance, strategy, wealth management, and capital markets, spanning both Cyprus and the UK. She is currently the CEO of a Global Real Estate Group operating across multiple geographical locations.