Founded in 2017 by Ioannis Petri, Athlos Capital was established with a clear ambition: to become the leading bond intermediary in Cyprus and Greece.
As Head of Wealth Management Sara Eojourian explains, that vision evolved in 2020, when Athlos expanded beyond bond intermediation to offer institutional-level wealth management from Cyprus while maintaining the personalised service of a boutique firm. Today, the CySEC-regulated investment firm trades approximately €3 billion every month through more than 250 international and local counterparties.
Alongside wealth management services, including portfolio management, investment advisory and custody, it also provides institutional solutions, depositary services and bond issuances. Eojourian explains that the company’s growth has been accompanied by a deliberate investment in its people, with the team expanding from nine employees just three years ago to 21 today. “That growth was driven by increasing client demand, the new services we introduced and our commitment to serving clients with the same dedication they were accustomed to,” she says. “Every person we have added has been chosen with that standard firmly in mind.”
Athlos Capital’s culture, says Eojourian, is built around “ethos, reliability and integrity”. These values, she explains, are reflected not only in the firm’s relationships with clients but also in the way it recruits, develops and supports its employees. The team includes professionals with experience at some of the financial sector’s most respected institutions, bringing together a wealth of expertise across different disciplines.
Eojourian firmly believes that the company’s greatest strength lies in its people. “Professional excellence sits alongside a culture that feels, above all else, like a family,” she says. Leadership, she explains, takes an active interest in every employee’s development and wellbeing, creating an environment where professional ambition is matched by genuine human connection. Learning and development also play an important role in the company’s culture. Employees are encouraged to attend both technical and soft skills training programmes, while the continuing education requirements of the financial services industry are viewed as an opportunity rather than simply a regulatory obligation.
At the same time, Eojourian notes that some of the most valuable learning happens “organically through collaboration”. Working alongside experienced colleagues across multiple asset classes gives newer professionals daily exposure to knowledge that cannot easily be replicated in a classroom. “For someone early in their career, that day-to-day exposure is arguably the most valuable development tool of all,” she says.
The company’s recent relocation to the 21st and 22nd floors of Labs Tower has further strengthened the working environment it has sought to create. Winner of the Best Architectural Project award in 2023, the building combines panoramic views across Nicosia with bright, open spaces designed to encourage both collaboration and concentration.
Employee engagement is maintained through continuous communication rather than formal surveys. Managers hold regular one-to-one meetings with team members, while an open-door culture encourages honest conversations whenever challenges arise. “When something needs addressing, it is dealt with directly and promptly,” Eojourian explains, describing feedback as an everyday part of the company’s decision-making process.
Flexibility is central to Athlos Capital’s approach to work-life balance. Employees have the option to work from home when needed, while working hours can be adjusted to accommodate family commitments or personal appointments. Rather than measuring commitment by time spent at a desk, the company focuses on the quality of work delivered and the trust built among colleagues. Outside the office, team gatherings at Athlos House have become a cherished tradition, bringing everyone together over food, wine and music.
Competitive remuneration and performance bonuses form part of the employee offering, while the facilities at Labs Tower include complimentary gym membership and shared amenities. Still, Eojourian believes that the benefits people value most are the less tangible ones: flexibility, trust and the opportunity to contribute to a growing business where every individual can make a meaningful impact.
These qualities were recognised when Athlos Capital earned an award for its company culture in 2022, relatively early on its growth journey. For Sara Eojourian, that recognition confirmed that the culture the company had been building from the outset was already being experienced by its people. In a competitive financial industry, she believes it is the combination of institutional expertise, boutique service and authentic human connection that continues to make Athlos Capital an employer of choice in Cyprus.
(Original photos by TASPHO)
This article first appeared in the July edition of GOLD magazine. Click here to view it.
