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Nominees Announced For The CYDIA Awards® 2026

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

The Cyprus Diaspora Forum is proud to announce the nominees for the CYDIA Awards® 2026, the annual celebration recognising the outstanding achievements and contributions of Cypriots abroad and friends of Cyprus.

The CYDIA Awards® form part of the Cyprus Diaspora Forum®, which will take place in Limassol from 6–9 May 2026, bringing together leading members of the global Cypriot community from across business, government, academia, science, culture and philanthropy.

The awards honour exceptional individuals across a wide range of categories, including the highly anticipated Lifetime Achievement Award.

We are delighted to announce that the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Theo Paphitis, the renowned British Cypriot retail entrepreneur, television Dragon and philanthropist.

Among the other distinguished honours, the Diaspora Ambassador Award will be presented to Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou, Joint CEO of Tototheo Global and President of the Board of the Association of Cypriot Professionals in Greece.

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry Diaspora Entrepreneur Award will be presented to Christos A. Poullaides, a prominent Bahrain-based construction industry leader with operations across the Middle East and Europe.

The Diaspora Ambassador Legacy Award will be awarded to Panos A. Panay, President of The Recording Academy and presenter of the Grammy Awards.

The Diaspora Honorary Award, which recognises an exceptional individual whose achievements, leadership and enduring contribution have brought distinction to the global diaspora, will be awarded to Demetrios Mallioros.

In the remaining 15 categories, the public is invited to vote for their favourite nominee. Public voting will close on Sunday, 19 April 2026, allowing the global Cypriot community to recognise individuals who have made a significant impact in their respective fields.

Voting is now open at: https://www.cyprusdiasporaforum.com/nominees-2026

CYDIA Awards 2026 Nominees and Categories

Advocating Cyprus

  • Effie Athanassiou
  • Irene Matys
  • Martin Zarian
  • Sergey Polivar

‘Artemis Pouroulis’ Culture and Arts

  • Andreani Panayides
  • Andreas Charalambous
  • Avgi Pourgoura
  • Elly Symons

Contribution to Society

  • Christos Charalambous
  • Kelly Christodoulou
  • Lucy Loizou
  • Niklas Wilhelm

Education

  • Androulla Poutziouris
  • Georgia Solomou
  • Professor Katerina Kaouri
  • Sean Alimov

Finance and Commerce

  • Carissa Louca
  • Dr. Demetrios Zamboglou
  • George S. Georgiades
  • James Demetriades

‘George Michael’ Entertainment Award

  • Chryso Makariou
  • Daphne Alexander
  • Dimitri Leonidas
  • Dr. Marios Joannou Elia

Health

  • Dr. Eleni Toumarides
  • Maria Hadjidemetriou
  • Professor Natasha Kyprianou
  • SOZO Brain Center

Impact

  • Andreas Farmakalidis
  • Eleni Savva
  • Dr. Maria Krambia-Kapardis
  • Maria Petrides

Literature

  • Alex Christofi
  • Christy Lefteri
  • Eva Asprakis
  • Soulla Christodoulou

Marketing and Media

  • Matthew Zorpas
  • Rafaella Mehmet
  • Savvas Agathangelou
  • Tom Toumazis

Movement for Change

  • Charalambos Toumazis
  • Marianna Konina
  • Michalis Pantelidis
  • Panos Englezos

Real Estate

  • Anastasia Yianni
  • Artemis Ansell
  • Nick Salatas
  • Omar Awartani

Social and Philanthropy

  • Chris Christofi
  • The Cyprus Environment Foundation
  • Filli Kaoullas
  • Sophia For Children

Sports

  • Evagoras Papasavvas
  • George Panagiotakis
  • Kyrenia Nautical Club
  • Michael Georgiou

Startups and Innovation

  • Connie Christofi
  • Stavros Therapontos
  • Stelios Alexandrou
  • William Demetriou

The CYDIA Awards® 2026 ceremony and Gala Dinner will take place at the Parklane Resort in Limassol, Cyprus, on Saturday, 9 May 2026, as the closing event of the Cyprus Diaspora Forum®.

The evening will feature a spectacular entertainment programme with performances by Alexandros Tsangarides, The Amalgamation Choir, Sofia Patsalides, Savvas Mouskos, Chryso Makariou, Stavros Konstantinou and Antri Karantoni, with a special guest performance by Evangelia.

The event will also include a specially choreographed performance by Antigoni Tasouri and will be hosted by Emilia Papadopoulos and Yanna Darilis.

This landmark occasion will celebrate the achievements of the global Cypriot community and international friends of Cyprus, highlighting the extraordinary impact Cypriots continue to have around the world.
More information: www.cyprusdiasporaforum.com

Cyprus Banks Urged To Focus On Long-Term Resilience As Profits Remain Strong

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

The Cypriot banking sector remains in a strong position, supported by solid capital buffers and overall financial stability, according to speakers at the annual general meeting of the Association of Cyprus Banks. At the same time, government officials and regulators stressed that maintaining this position will require continued discipline and long-term planning.

A Strong Sector, But Not A Complacent One

Finance Minister Makis Keravnos used the meeting to highlight concerns over draft laws recently passed by parliament, which, according to the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank and the Legal Service, may contain constitutional, legal and institutional issues. Those concerns, he noted, led to presidential referrals and remittals to the Supreme Court.

Keravnos also said the European Central Bank had been consulted on proposed measures concerning the suspension of foreclosures and the restructuring of loans and guarantees, adding that the ECB had expressed its own concerns.

Profitability Should Reflect Real Economy Lending

While acknowledging that the banking sector remains highly profitable, Keravnos said earnings are expected to reach around €1 billion in 2025, lower than in 2024 as interest-rate conditions gradually normalize.

He said he would prefer bank profitability to rely more on lending to businesses operating in productive sectors and less on the widening of European Central Bank interest-rate spreads.

According to the minister, Cyprus’ return to investment-grade status after 11 years has strengthened the country’s appeal to foreign investors, technology companies and startups. He said this should encourage banks to offer financing that better supports businesses while improving the diversification of their loan portfolios.

The Central Bank’s Warning: Strength Today Is Not A Guarantee Tomorrow

Central Bank Governor Christodoulos Patsalides also warned against complacency, saying the sector’s current strength should not be taken for granted.

“The Cypriot banking sector is strong today. But strength that truly matters is not exhausted by a capital ratio, a profit line or a favorable cycle,” he said.

Patsalides added that lasting resilience depends on institutions remaining strong as conditions change, risks become more complex, and competition evolves. In his view, that requires sufficient capital buffers, adaptable infrastructure and management teams prepared for changing market conditions.

Long-Term Resilience Over Short-Term Gains

Patsalides also stressed that banks should focus on long-term resilience rather than short-term performance. Decisions on dividend policy, capital allocation and the use of resources, he said, should take into account continued investment in technology, operational resilience, human capital and long-term adaptability.

He added that banks able to remain competitive over time will be those that invest early in strengthening their capacity to adapt and respond to future challenges.

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