Metis Cyberspace Technology, a Greek provider of digital performance monitoring tools for ships, has a new chief executive.
Eleni Polychronopoulou, who has been president for three years, becomes CEO as well, the company said on its website.
The Polychronopoulou family, better known as owners of Erma First — a Greek manufacturer of ballast water treatment systems — acquired Metis in 2018.
With her experience and senior executive positions at Erma First and other shipping organisations, Metis said: “Eleni has earned the appreciation of the maritime sector for her conviction that people, technology and products must combine to build winning enterprises.
“The combination of Eleni’s experience, culture and drive will be key for the next stages of growth.”
Metis lauded the work done by former chief executive Mike Konstantinidis for providing the base on which the Athens-based company expanded its footprint.
Konstantinidis, who co-founded Metis in 2016 and retains a small stake, helped the company expand its client book and its geographical scope far beyond the traditional Greek tanker and bulker base.
He told TradeWinds that he stepped down over disagreements with the owner’s family on future strategy, particularly the prospect of exploring mergers or a buy-out by potential partners or investors.
“Digital companies are like a bicycle — they have to move. If they stand still, they’ll fall over,” he said.
Konstantinidis has long advocated for synergies as the next step for companies like Metis to grow.
“Joining forces is a must,” he told TradeWinds earlier this year.
