| George Vernicos Γιώργος Βερνίκος | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 20 June 2012 | |
| Vice-Minister of Shipping | |
| In office 21 June 2012 – 30 July 2012 | |
| President | Karolos Papoulias |
| Prime Minister | Antonis Samaras |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 11 February 1950 Athens, Greece |
| Alma mater | Athens University; London University |
George A. Vernicos (also Georgios Vernikos/ Greek: Γιώργος Βερνίκος) born on 11 February 1950 in Athens, Greece. He comes from a seafaring family from the island of Sifnos that first began its shipping activities during the middle of the 19th century in Istanbul and moved to Piraeus during the decade of 1920. He is a prominent entrepreneur, social activist and politician with deep roots in the maritime industry.
He obtained a degree in economics from the University of Athens before furthering his studies at London University.
George Vernicos is widely respected for his expertise in maritime affairs, his entrepreneurial spirit and his advocacy for social and environmental responsibility.
His career reflects a combination of business acumen and public service, making him a significant figure in modern Greek economic and political life.
He served as Deputy Minister for Merchant Marine and Aegean Affairs from June 21, 2012 to July 30, 2012.
He is Chairman of VERNICOS YACHTS, founded in 1975, a leading Greek company specializing in yacht sales, charters and management, which started trading in the Athens Stock Market in 1996 until 2004. He also established the Verina Hotels on the island of Sifnos, which specializes in small hotels.
George Vernicos currently is Secretary General of Greek Tourism Confederation(SETE), President of the Institute of SETE (INSETE), Honorary President of Hellenic Professional Yacht Owners Association. He represents tourism both in Economic and Social Council of Greece (ΟΚΕ) (he has been President from October 2015 to February 2021) and European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) . He is Ambassador to the European Climate Pact of European Union. He is also active in several Organizations and Chambers that aim towards the financial, cultural and social recovery of Greece and the defense of the citizens rights.
He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping from 1984 to 2024, representing the maritime tourism sector. He served as President of the Hellenic Register of Shipping, an international organization dedicated to the safeguarding of life and property at sea and the prevention of marine pollution. He was a co-founder of ATTICA GROUP, the first Greek ferry company to be listed on the Athens Stock Exchange. He was President of Nicolas E. Vernicos Shipping S.A., the leading Greek towage and salvage operator in Greece, President of Free Holdings S.A., owners and operators of ocean cargo vessels, type Panamax and Handymax and Director of Sunsail International.
George Vernicos was elected during the 1980s as a Councilman and Vice-Mayor of the Municipality of Athens. He has served as Director of the Greek National Tourist Organization and as President of the Welfare Foundation G & A Hatzikonsta.
In 1990, he co-founded the Greenpeace Greek Office and he served for many years as Board Chair and Trustee until June 2012. Then he was elected as Honorary Board Chair.
Family
He is uncle of Eurovision Song Contest 2023 entrant Victor Vernicos
References
- "Παραιτήθηκε ο νεος υφυπουργός Ναυτιλίας Γ.Βερνίκος - Δεν θα υπάρξει αναπλήρωση της θέσης του". NewsIT (in Greek). 26 June 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2022.