Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou receives IMO’s Gender Equality Award

Cypriot Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou has been named as the recipient of the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Gender Equality Award.

According to a press release by the Deputy Ministry of Shipping, the decision was taken during the 130th Session of the IMO Council held in London on 23 November.

From London where she attends IMO’s 33rd Assembly, Deputy Minister of Shipping, Marina Hadjimanolis, congratulated Despina Theodosiou for receiving the award and also for her remarkable achievements and unwavering commitment in promoting gender equality in shipping.

As noted, the nomination of Despina Theodosiou was submitted by the Deputy Ministry of Shipping.

"Despina Theodosiou embodies the essence of this award, since through her work and actions, she contributes significantly to the promotion of gender equality in the maritime sector," the Deputy Ministry pointed out.

Theodosiou is Co-CEO of Tototheo Maritime Group, a leading global provider of satellite services and maritime technology. She has been Chair of the Board of Directors. of the Cyprus Electricity Authority (ECA) since August 2021. Theodosiou was President of WISTA International from October 2017 until October 2022, an international shipping organization with a presence in 56 countries.

Theodosiou was instrumental in WISTA's success in obtaining an advisory position at the IMO in 2018, as well as recently obtaining an observer position at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). She is a member of various Boards of Directors such as the Cyprus Chamber of Shipping, the Executive Committee of the Cyprus Employers & Industrialists Federation (OEB), Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In 2020, she was elected a member of the General Council of the Association of Limited Companies and Entrepreneurship in Greece and head of the Association's committee in the shipping sector.

Theodosiou has been included in the list of Top 100 Most Influential People in Shipping by the international shipping publication Lloyd's List for five consecutive years since 2017. Also in 2019, she received the award of International Personality of the Year at the Lloyd's List Greek Shipping Awards held every year in Athens. Theodosiou holds degrees from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the Copenhagen Business School, and the University of Oxford.

(Source: CNA)