Leadership changes announced by the V+O Group aimed at accelerating growth. Specifically, Teti Kanellopoulou assumes the role of Group CEO, with responsibility for the seven countries where V+O operates in Greece and internationally. Yannis Olympios takes on the role of Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Fiorenzo Tagliabue, CEO of the SEC Newgate Group, becomes Executive Vice Chairman. Thomas Varvitsiotis assumes the role of Management Advisor for the upcoming period, ensuring a smooth transition to the new leadership structure.
The new structure creates the conditions for further development and growth, leveraging the deep knowledge, expertise, creative ability and dynamics of the Group’s executives. At the same time, it strengthens V+O’s ability to further utilize the capabilities of the SEC Newgate Group to continue responding dynamically to the constantly changing market requirements.
V+O Group: Teti Kanellopoulou in CEO role
Teti Kanellopoulou, an executive with more than 25 years of experience in strategic communications, has been an integral part of V+O since its founding. Under her leadership, V+O Greece consistently delivers strong performance with a continuously expanding footprint. In her new role as V+O Group CEO, she will lead the Group into its next phase of development.
Teti Kanellopoulou, referring to her new role, said: “My main goal all these years has always been to create an environment where our people and our clients can develop, innovate and achieve exceptional results.
The trust shown to me by Yannis, Thomas and Fiorenzo, Group CEO of SEC Newgate, is a great honor and responsibility for me. Our commitment to our company, our people, our clients and our shareholders remains strong and unwavering.”
Yannis Olympios in the role of Executive Chairman of the Board
“This is one of those moments when you realize that the journey is not only professional — it is deeply human, personal,” wrote Yannis Olympios, among other things, in a LinkedIn post about his new position as Executive Chairman of the Board of the V+O Group.
Full post by Yannis Olympios:
“Today is not just a corporate announcement. It’s one of those moments when you realize that the journey is not only professional — it is deeply human, personal. The fact that Teti is taking on the CEO position of the Group is something that came naturally. It is the result of a journey full of consistency, dedication and insight. I cannot think of a more suitable person to lead our team into the next, even greater chapter. But equally important for me is the other transition: Thomas takes on the role of Management Advisor of the Group. I have been working with Thomas for 25 years. We were not just partners. We became family. We grew up together — literally and figuratively. When we started, he perhaps thought he would have simply a partner beside him. Along the way he realized that here he had to collaborate with a person who needed (and needs) mentoring, patience and understanding. I would never have succeeded as an entrepreneur. Nor can I say that I check the boxes one would expect from someone in this position. And yet, Thomas was never concerned with these things. Today is a rare opportunity to stand publicly and say thank you. To acknowledge this relationship. To say that we got here because there was this trust, this care and generosity. For me, today is a bigger day than even when investors decided to invest in our Group. Because for founders to reach the point of absolutely trusting a leadership team —a team free from the anxieties and obsessions of founders— is a sign of true maturity. It’s the moment when a company comes of age. Personally, I continue in the role of Executive Chairman. But mainly, I continue as a person who feels grateful. Who feels lucky. Who knows that this journey had meaning, because he is doing it with people like Thomas. Teti takes over, Thomas continues and I feel more confident than ever. We are ready for our next big step.”
Thomas Varvitsiotis, referring to the management developments at V+O, emphasized: “The challenge and future of every company are connected to its ability to expand its leadership team beyond its founders. I feel proud that V+O today, being the most dynamically growing communications Group in the Southeast Europe region, with strong principles, large footprint and top executives, is moving to its next step.
With the new management structure, we strengthen our strategic flexibility and our ability to capitalize on opportunities in every market where we operate.”
The strong presence of the V+O Group in Southeast Europe is fully aligned with the strategic business structure of SEC Newgate, which in Europe is based on two distinct market groups centered on the western and eastern EMEA regions.
V+O’s high specialization in services that form the core of SEC Newgate – from corporate and financial communications to crisis management, public affairs and advocacy – has substantially strengthened the Group’s activity in the eastern EMEA region, which includes developing markets such as Poland, Czech Republic and Gulf countries.
This synergy allows SEC Newgate to offer existing and potential clients one of the most comprehensive and extensive service portfolios, with direct and substantial presence throughout the European continent.
