Cyprus financial regulator Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), a key overseer of the Retail FX and CFDs brokerage industry, has announced that George Karatzias has been appointed as the new Chairman of the CySEC.
Loukas Lagoudis was appointed as CySEC’s Vice Chairman, and Andrea Moundis Savvides as member of the Board.
In a statement, the new CySEC Chair George Karatzias said,
“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.
“I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the President of the Republic of Cyprus, the Minister of Finance, and the members of the Council of Ministers for the confidence they have placed in me through my appointment as Chairman of CySEC.
“CySEC stands at the forefront of safeguarding market transparency, integrity, and the orderly functioning of the financial markets. In an environment that is constantly evolving and presenting new challenges, as well as significant opportunities, its role is becoming increasingly pivotal in maintaining investor confidence and enhancing the international credibility of our country. 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.
“I assume my new duties with determination, a clear vision, and a full awareness of the responsibilities that accompany this role. 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.”
George Karatzias is the new Chairman of the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), having previously served as the Organisation’s Vice Chairman from September 2021 to April 2024. From May 2024 until his appointment as Chairman of CySEC, he served as an Executive Member of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Cyprus.
From 2011 until the end of 2020, he led the investment funds sector at Alter Domus Cyprus. Prior to that, he worked for international audit firms, commencing his career in 2006. He also served for two terms as a Board Member and Vice Chairman of the Fund Administrators Committee of the Cyprus Investment Funds Association (CIFA), as well as a member of the Investment Funds Committee of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus (ICPAC).
Mr. Karatzias is a Fellow of ACCA and holds a Master’s degree in Marketing and Financial Services from the University of Exeter.
Loukas Lagoudis is the new Vice Chairman of the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission. From October 2024 until his appointment as Vice Chairman of CySEC on 15 September 2026, he served as a non-executive member of the CySEC Board.
He brings extensive experience across banking, financial services, investment management and blockchain. His career has encompassed senior roles in banking and blockchain advisory, including serving as a Director of VIP 360 Ltd, as well as a range of portfolio and investment management positions spanning venture capital, biotechnology and fintech.
Earlier in his career, he held senior positions in financial research, portfolio management and risk management with leading international financial institutions in London, including Argo Capital, Standard Chartered, Credit Suisse, GAM, Millennium Global Investments and HSBC Asset Management.
He is an alumni of the Said Business School, University of Oxford Blockchain Strategy Programme 2018 and has an MSc in Risk Management from Southampton University, and a BSc in Physics from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.