Maria Angelicoussis has opened up about the shock of her late father’s death and how she will try to emulate his legendary feel for the shipping business.
The former medical doctor became chief executive of Greece’s huge Angelicoussis Group in April last year following the untimely passing of John Angelicoussis.
The new boss had previously kept a low profile, but as leader of arguably the world's largest private shipowner, she is set to be a considerable influence in the years ahead.
“My father’s death was very sudden and unexpected; he had previously been fit and well. It came as a shock to all of us,” she told TradeWinds editor-in-chief Julian Bray at the FT Global Commodities Summit on Wednesday.
Taking on the role was tough at the beginning.
“It was a very challenging time for me, speaking honestly. I had to navigate personally mourning my father, who I was very close to because I was an only child,” Angelicoussis said.
The role was very new to her, “so initially we felt the best thing for the company was a period of stability”.
And Angelicoussis paid tribute to the people around her at the group.
“There were big changes for the company. We were in a collective state of shock at my father’s loss and I honestly couldn’t have done it without the help and support from everyone in the office and on the ships.
“I wouldn’t be here today without them and I’m always going to be eternally grateful for that.”
Taught by the best
She went on to reveal how in the past year she has been trying to “hone in on the instincts my father had”.
“He was very good at listening carefully to people, collecting all the correct information, putting the pieces of the puzzle together and then acting decisively,” she said. “I’m trying to develop that as well.
“In addition, he was calm, he always had a long-term view, he stayed very focused. And these are all the skills I hope I’m going to have, as he did.”
The executive told the conference that her father created a family business with a very strong culture, where people are loyal and stay for years.
“And we’re best in class; we design, build and operate the best ships, and I think that’s a very strong vision to have for the future as well,” she said.
LNG carriers now make up two-thirds of the value of the group. Asked whether that expansion will continue at the expense of tankers and bulkers, Angelicoussis replied: “This is where we’ve had our largest growth, but my father taught me very well the importance of being diversified.”
She has seen how one sector can be good, while another can be bad, and how they can then swap around, “So I think we’re always going to be a diversified fleet.”
Angelicoussis has previously spoken of how she spent one year at the family shipping business in 2008 as a break from her work as a doctor.
But she caught the shipping bug, and 14 years later is in charge.
