Leaders of the Greek Economy-Ekaterinari (SEV): AI, climate change and geopolitical tensions are reshaping the rules of competition

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The need for strong management teams, investment in new technologies and timely succession planning at Greek businesses was highlighted by Rania Εkaterinari, President of the Executive Committee and Vice-Chair of… Leaders of the Greek Economy-Ekaterinari (SEV…

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The need for strong management teams, investment in new technologies and timely succession planning at Greek businesses was highlighted by Rania Εkaterinari, President of the Executive Committee and Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the SEV, in her address at the Leaders of the Greek Economy event organised by Naftemporiki.

Ekaterinari stressed that, in a business environment where artificial intelligence is overturning established models, geopolitical turmoil is creating new dependencies and security is becoming as important as growth, the role of leadership is undergoing a radical transformation. The challenge is no longer simply to deliver financial results, but to ensure that businesses can adapt, manage uncertainty and prepare the next generation of executives.

Growth, security and resilience: The new priorities

As she pointed out, wars are exposing dependencies that were until recently underestimated, while energy issues and climate change are putting business resilience to the test on a daily basis. At the same time, artificial intelligence is overturning traditional business models and changing the rules of competition.

The challenge is particularly significant for Europe, which must safeguard its position in the global economy and remain at the forefront of technological developments, particularly in artificial intelligence and robotics.

For business leaders, these changes translate into critical strategic decisions: where to invest, which markets to target, how to organise supply chains, which operations to integrate with artificial intelligence and what skills their employees will need.

Η ΑΕΚ τρόμαξε την μεγάλη Ρεάλ αλλά λύγισε στις καθυστερήσεις

Ekaterinari stressed that, alongside traditional business priorities such as growth, efficiency, investment and cost management, three concepts are becoming increasingly important: resilience, security and sovereignty.

As she noted, these concepts have rapidly entered the everyday vocabulary of European business and are playing an increasingly important role in management decisions.

Leaders must first learn to challenge assumptions

In this environment of constant disruption, experience remains valuable, but is no longer sufficient on its own.

According to Ekaterinari, the first requirement of a modern leader is a commitment to lifelong learning: maintaining curiosity, listening to different viewpoints, challenging assumptions and, above all, asking the right questions.

She placed particular emphasis on the role of boards of directors and the need for them to bring together individuals with diverse backgrounds, knowledge and skills.

As she explained, a strong board does not simply ratify management decisions. It must ask difficult questions, challenge decisions when necessary and make a meaningful contribution to shaping corporate strategy.

In this context, she underlined the importance of independent board members, who can bring a fresh perspective and specialised expertise to the decision-making process.

Artificial Intelligence: Investment alone is not enough – you need to know what you are buying

She made particular reference to artificial intelligence, stressing that understanding its capabilities and risks has become a fundamental responsibility of business leadership.

As she pointed out, business leaders need to devote substantial time to their own training, discussions with their management teams and understanding the practical applications of the new technology.

An AI strategy cannot be limited to a general decision to adopt the technology. It requires specific answers about where and how it will be used, which operations it will transform, how much it will cost and what measurable business benefits it will deliver.

Ekaterinari placed particular emphasis on the actual cost of the technological transition, from tokens and infrastructure to the human resources and consultancy services required to implement relevant projects.

At the same time, she warned of the risks associated with cybersecurity and the management of new technological systems, stressing that management teams must be able to understand and oversee the applications they adopt.

The objective, she said, is to prepare businesses for an uncertain and technologically disruptive environment, with investment in people and the development of their skills at its core.

Developing leaders for the future

In the final part of her address, she turned her attention to an issue of particular importance for Greek businesses: the transition from a founder’s personal success to the long-term sustainability of the company.

As she noted, an entrepreneur’s personality, instinct and perseverance often provide the starting point for a successful business journey. However, sustaining and expanding that success requires strong, well-rounded management teams, effective corporate governance systems and timely succession planning.

The next generation, she stressed, must be given the opportunity to prove itself in practice, assume meaningful responsibilities and develop its own leadership identity.

This requires a genuine bridge between generations, where experience meets new knowledge, underpinned by mutual trust and the meaningful transfer of responsibilities.

“The transition from the founder’s individual capabilities to the institutional capacity of management is a prerequisite for most Greek businesses to grow and stand the test of time,” she concluded.

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