Boyden is an international leadership and talent advisory firm that provides executive search, interim management and consulting services.
In April 2025, Cleri Solomou joined the Limassol office as Principal, Boyden Greece, Cyprus & Malta. Here, she talks about the firm and shares her views on broader issues of leadership and corporate culture.
What first drew you to executive search and leadership consulting and how did your career journey lead you to Boyden?
I was drawn to executive search by the chance to influence organisations at their very core through leadership. Over the past 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside CEOs across industries and have witnessed how the right leader can transform not just a business but also its culture and people. Joining Boyden was a natural next step. It brings together the strength of a truly global platform with deep local expertise and international reach. Within Boyden Greece, Cyprus & Malta, I collaborate with 10 outstanding colleagues, each with their own sector mastery. Together, we combine knowledge, diversity of thought and purposeful reach, a blend that makes a real impact.
What qualities do you believe distinguish exceptional leaders in today’s fast-changing business environment? How do you see Boyden Cyprus’ role evolving in shaping the leadership landscape of the country?
Exceptional leaders today need more than technical expertise. They must inspire trust, foster inclusive cultures and treat digital transformation, not as an initiative but as a mindset. The leaders I admire most are those who remain empathetic and adaptable yet decisive, balancing humanity with strategy, even in uncertain times.
At Boyden Greece, Cyprus & Malta, our mission is to bring this calibre of leadership to the local market. We don’t just recruit; we help organisations shape their future, whether through growth, transformation or succession planning. What excites me most is connecting Cypriot businesses with world-class talent and best practices from across Boyden’s global network, while tailoring everything to the island’s unique culture and needs. For me, it’s about raising the bar and equipping leadership for what comes next.
What will you offer the Cypriot market to differentiate Boyden from your competitors and other companies providing similar services?
At Boyden, what sets us apart isn’t just what we do but who we are. Behind our brand is a team of 10 Partners, each with more than 25 years of leadership experience. Before joining Boyden, our consultants held senior executive roles, so they don’t just understand leadership: they’ve lived it. Clients feel that difference immediately.
Take Tassos Marianos, for example. His deep commercial expertise and strategic insight have helped organisations navigate some of their toughest transformations. Or Alexandros Lamnidis, our Managing Partner, whose Board consulting and succession planning work has shaped leadership journeys for government bodies, local champions and global players alike. This is Boyden’s strength: Partners who bring both technical mastery and personal credibility, honed at the highest levels of business. It’s this unique blend of global reach, individual expertise and genuine commitment that makes what we offer to Cyprus distinct.
How has the profile of sought-after executives evolved in Cyprus and the wider region over the past decade?
The focus has shifted from technical mastery alone to a broader set of leadership qualities. Organisations today are looking for visionaries and leaders who combine cultural intelligence with digital fluency and adaptability. In Cyprus and across the region, there’s a rising demand for executives who can manage complexity, operate across borders and build resilient organisations, especially in industries that balance heritage with rapid innovation.
How does Cyprus’ corporate culture compare to other countries? In what way would an executive have to adapt culturally?
Cyprus offers a fascinating mix of European sophistication and Mediterranean pragmatism. Business here is highly relationship-driven where trust, personal connections and flexibility are vital. At the same time, we’re seeing steady alignment with global governance and performance standards. For international executives, success often comes down to recognizing how deeply relationships matter here, while also respecting the island’s traditions, pace and regulatory framework.
A new generation of leaders is emerging, with Millennials and Gen-Z taking the helm. What are the differences between them and previous generations?
Millennials and Gen-Z are redefining leadership with purpose at the centre. They value collaboration, transparency and sustainability over hierarchy. Unlike earlier generations, they prioritise adaptability, social impact and work-life balance with technology woven naturally into how they lead. What excites me is how strongly these qualities are taking root in Cyprus, reshaping leadership into something flatter, healthier and more people focused.
This Special Feature first appeared in the September edition of GOLD magazine. Click here to view it.
