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The Most INFLUENTIAL GeneralMANAGERS InThe MIDDLE EAST
Adonis Yiasemides
Editors Insights
This Special Edi on of The Fortune Leader “The
Most Influen al General Managers in the Middle East” features a dis nguished leader whose career represents dedica on, strategic foresight, and unwavering service: Adonis Yiasemides, General Manager of the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC). With over 30 years of professional experience, he has not only advanced his own career but has also played a significant role in shaping the modern energy landscape of Cyprus.
Since joining the EAC in 1992, Yiasemides has progressed through various roles across the organiza on, gaining comprehensive knowledge of its opera ons, workforce, and customer expecta ons. His eleva on to General Manager in 2022 stands as a testament to his exper se, collabora ve spirit, and longstanding commitment. He now leads the authority at a crucial moment, as Cyprus navigates sweeping changes driven by renewable energy growth, market restructuring, and accelerated digitaliza on.
Under his stewardship, EAC con nues to advance with a strong focus on innova on, sustainability, and opera onal excellence. Major ini a ves such as expanding digital customer pla orms, modernizing the grid, implemen ng smart metering systems, and enhancing cybersecurity highlight his vision of building an energy system prepared for the future while maintaining affordability, safety, and public confidence. His leadership approach, centered on people and partnerships, strengthens employee engagement, deepens stakeholder trust, and enhances customer sa sfac on.
This edi on honors the forward-thinking leadership of Adonis Yiasemides and the pioneers driving a cleaner, smarter, and more resilient energy future across the Middle East.
EDITORIAL TEAM
Editor-in-chief
Sco Edward
Sales & Marke ng Manager
Lily Hayler
Business Development Manager Lauren Green, Millie Butler, Rosie Jonas
Business Development Execu ve
Victoria Ma hews, Ashley Tucker
Art and Design Director
Paul Brown
Research Analyst
Robert Smith
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Editor-in-Chief The Fortune Leader
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Adonis Yiasemides
Hemanth Kumar
Adonis
Yiasemides
Powering a Nation Forward: The Leadership Journey of Adonis Yiasemides CoverStory
InCyprus,wheretheenergylandscapeisevolvingat
unprecedentedspeed,leadershipdemandsmorethan technicalexpertiseitcallsforresilience,clarity,and unwaveringcommitmenttopublicservice.Fewembody thesequalitiesasprofoundlyasAdonisYiasemides, GeneralManageroftheElectricityAuthorityofCyprus (EAC).Withmorethanthreedecadesofservice,his journeyreflectsbothpersonaldedicationandthebroader storyofanorganizationpoweringthenation'sprogress.
Today,asCyprusnavigatesmajorenergytransitionsfrom renewablestomarketliberalizationYiasemidesstandsata pivotalintersectionofhistoryandmodernity,ensuringEAC remainsstrong,trusted,andfuture-ready
ACareerBuiltOverDecadesofService
WhenAdonisYiasemidesjoinedEACin1992,hehadlittle notionthatthisinstitutionwouldbecomebothhis professionalhomeandtheplatformthroughwhichhe wouldhelpshapeCyprus'senergyfuture.Hispathwasnot definedbyoneleapbutbysteadyprogressionmoving acrossdepartments,embracingdiverseroles,andlearning theorganizationfromtheinsideout.
Everypostheoccupiedaddedanewlayertohisleadership identity.Eachchallengerefinedhisthinking,strengthened hismanagementapproach,anddeepenedhisunderstanding oftheneedsofEAC'semployees,customers,and stakeholders.
BythetimeheassumedtheroleofGeneralManagerin June2022,hecarriedwithhimmorethanexperiencehe broughtperspective.Today,heoverseesoperations,drives strategicdirection,andensuresEACcontinuestodeliveron itsmissionwithresponsibility,efficiency,andsocialimpact.
“Thisjourneygavemeinvaluableexperienceandthe resourcestoworkcollaborativelywithcolleagues,trade unions,andtheBoardtoimplementprojectsthataffectnot onlyEACbuttheentirecountry,”heoftenreflects.
StrategicPriorities:Reliability,People,andProgress
Leadinganationalutilitydemandsauniqueblendof realismandhumanity.ForYiasemides,thiscombination formsthebackboneofhisleadershipphilosophy.Heis knownforencouragingcollectivedialogue,fosteringopen
communication,andcultivatingaculturewherehonesty andobjectivityguideeverydecision.
Hiscoreprioritiesremainconsistent:
• Deliveringreliable,high-qualityservicetoconsumers andgridusers
• Supportingemployeesthroughcontinuouseducation andskilldevelopment
• Adaptingtochanges,innovations,andnewmarket realities
• Maintainingstrongrelationshipsacrossregulatory, community,andgovernmentalstakeholders
Hevaluesstructuredconversationsandbelievesin identifyingoptimalsolutionsthroughtransparent,sincere engagement.Whetherdiscussingmarketmodernizationor employeedevelopment,histoneremainssteadyand solution-orientedfocusedonoutcomesthatservepeople first.
SteeringEACTowardaSustainable,ModernEnergy Era
AsCyprusundergoesaprofoundshiftinitsenergy landscape,EACstandsatacriticalturningpoint.Under Yiasemides'sguidance,theorganizationispursuingafuture definedbyinnovation,sustainability,andpublicbenefit.
EAC'sstrategyisanchoredonfourpillars:
• Addressingclimatechange
• Maintainingaffordableelectricity
• Ensuringsecurity,safety,andsystemreliability
• Elevatingcustomerserviceandexperience
WhatsetsEACapartisnotjustitsmissionbuthowdeeply itintegratesESGprinciplesintoeveryaspectofits operations.Theorganizationextendsitsinfluencebeyond electricityprovision,activelysupportingnationalinitiatives ineducation,health,culture,sports,andenvironmental protection.
Theaimisclear:
Amodern,responsible,forward-thinkingenergy organizationthatinspirestrustanddrivesnationalprogress.
NavigatingtheChallengesofaTransformingSector
ManagingCyprus'slargestenergyinstitutionmeans confrontingobstaclesthatevolveasquicklyasthe technologiesshapingthem.Fromthecompetitiveelectricity marketandtheboominrenewablestonaturalgas introductionandinfrastructuremodernizationEAC's challengesaremulti-layeredandcomplex.
UnderYiasemides'sleadership,EACis:
• Supportingthecreationofahealthy,competitive electricitymarket
• Implementingalarge-scaledigitaltransformation
• Upgradinginfrastructureforamodern,flexibleenergy system
• Rollingoutsmartmetersandadvancedmetering technologies
• Ensuringcompliancewithinternationalandnational safety,quality,andenvironmentalstandards
Hisphilosophyissimple:challengesarenotroadblocksbut catalystsforevolution.Flexibility,adaptability,anda customer-centricculturearethetoolsthatturnthose challengesintoopportunities.
ADeepCommitmenttoOperationalExcellence
ForYiasemides,efficiencyandreliabilitybeginwith rigoroussystemsandinternationallyrecognizedstandards.
Today,EACiscertifiedwithISO9001,ISO14001,and ISO45001—atestamenttoitscommitmenttoquality, environmentalresponsibility,andoccupationalsafety
Beyondthesecertifications,EACcontinuesstrengthening:
• Businesscontinuityandrecoverymechanisms
• Cybersecurityanddigitalsecuritycompliance
• Corporategovernanceandsocialresponsibility programs
Eachinitiativeisdesignedtoensurethattheorganization remainsresilientinthefaceofmarketchanges, environmentalchallenges,anddigitalthreats.
InnovationattheHeartofTransformation
Technologyisreshapingtheglobalenergysector,andEAC isembracingthisshiftthroughaseriesofambitious infrastructureanddigitalprojectsthatrepresentthefuture ofCyprus'sgrid.
Amongthemostnotableadvancementsare:
• MeterDataManagementSystem(MDMS)
ThebackboneofCyprus'sCompetitiveElectricityMarket, enablingsecure,transparentaccesstometeringdatafor suppliers,producers,andconsumers.
• ModernisationoftheDistributionNetwork
Thereplacementofageinginfrastructurewithremotely controlled,digitallymonitoredequipmentthatenhances reliabilityandresponsiveness.
• DigitalCustomerServices
Fromapplicationtrackingtosoon-to-be-launchedonline paymentsystems,EACismakingenergyservicesfasterand moreuser-friendly
• GEODIASGISSystem
Asophisticateddigitisationinitiativeofferingreal-time visibilityintogridassets,enhancingplanning,monitoring, andfieldresponse.
• ExpansionoftheOptical-FibreNetwork
ReinforcingthebackboneofCyprus'sfuturesmartgridwith high-speed,securecommunicationbetweensubstationsand systems.
• DroneDeploymentforNetworkInspections
Modernizingfieldoperationsbyusingdronesforsafer, fasterinspectionsespeciallyinremoteorchallenging terrains.Eachoftheseadvancementsmarksacrucialstepin transformingEACintoadigitallyempowered,future-ready organization.
Renewable
EnergyandtheFutureofCyprus'sEnergy Landscape
Cyprus'sisolatedgridstructurepresentsuniquechallenges, particularlywhenrenewableproductionexceedsdemand. Storagesolutionsbecomeessentialforstabilityand flexibility
EAChasalreadysecuredapprovalforenergystorage installationsatDhekeliaandMoniPowerStations,paving thewaytowardagreenerandmorebalancedsystem.
LeadershipPrinciplesAnchoredinResponsibility
TheleadershipphilosophyofAdonisYiasemidesreflectsa blendofduty,integrity,andforward-thinkingstrategy.His guidingprinciplesinclude:
• Safetyfirstforworkersandthepublic
• Reliabilityandresilienceacrossthegrid
• Clearcommunicationandcustomertrust
• Acommitmenttosustainabilityanddecarbonization
• Empoweringemployeesandnurturingtalent
• Buildingstrongregulatoryandcommunitypartnerships
• Actingethicallyandtransparently
• Embracinginnovationtostrengthenthegrid
• Thesevaluesnotonlydefinehisleadershipbutalso shapethecultureofEAC.
RecentAchievementsandNationalImpact
Amongtherecentmilestones,theinstallationofsmart metersandtherolloutoftheAdvancedMetering Infrastructure(AMI)standastransformativeachievements.
ThesesystemsformthefoundationofCyprus'sdigital energyecosystemandpromisetangiblebenefits:
• Betterconsumptionmanagement
• Improveddistributionefficiency
• Fasterresponsetopoweroutages
• Enhancedmarkettransparency
EACcontinuestodrivesustainablegrowth,delivering affordable,reliableenergywhileremainingthebackboneof thenationalpowersystem.
AMessagetotheEnergyLeadersofTomorrow
Forfutureleadersintheenergyandutilitiessector, Yiasemidesofferswisdomdrawnfromdecadesofservice: “Stayfocused,staycourageous,andneverlosesightofwhy youchosethispath.Ourworkshapespeople'slivesandthe futureofourplanet.Leadwithintegrity,listencarefully, andbeboldwhenitmattersmost.”
Hebelievesleadershipisnotabouttitlesbutabout responsibilitytocommunities,totheenvironment,andto futuregenerations.Inmanyways,thestoryofAdonis YiasemidesisthestoryofCyprus'senergyevolution.Itisa narrativeofcommitment,resilience,andvisionofaman whobuiltacareerwithinaninstitution,andnowleadsthat institutionintoafuturewheresustainabilityandinnovation definenationalprogress.
EMPOWERING ORGANIZATIONS WITH INNOVATIVE CONSULTING SOLUTIONS
Duetothetremendouspaceofchangethatistaking
placeinthecontemporarycorporateenvironment, organisationsarecomingunderanincreasing amountofpressuretoinnovate,adapt,andkeepa competitiveadvantageovertheirrivals.Theseissuesarenot onlychallengingbutalsonumerous,rangingfromthe disruptionthatisbroughtaboutbydigitaltechnologytothe ever-changingexpectationsofitsclients.Thesedifficulties arenotjustdifficultbutalsonumerous.Atthispointinthe process,creativeconsultingsolutionscomeintoplay.These solutionsofferbusinessesaidinrealisingtheirfull potential,improvingtheiroperations,anddeveloping resilienceforthefutureandtheirfutureendeavours.
Innovativeconsultingplacesanemphasisonadaptation, creativity,andcustomisation,incontrasttotraditional consulting,whichoftentendstorelyonexistingtechniques. Innovativeconsultingalsoplacesanemphasisoncustomer service.Consultingthatadherestoinnovativeprinciples laysanemphasisonthesequalities.Consultantswitha forward-thinkingperspectiverealisethateveryorganisation hasitsownuniquerequirements,andtheyrespondtothis realitybyprovidingbespokesolutionsthatagreewiththe objectivesofthefirm.Instancesofsolutionsthatenable businessestohavethecapabilitytoachievesustainable growthincludetheintroductionofnewtechnology,the upgradingofprocesses,andthedevelopmentofstrategies thatarecentredonpeople.Theseareallexamplesof solutions. Everysingleoneofthesemanysortsofsolutions isanexampleofasolution.
Oneofthemostimportantadvantagesthatcreative consultancyprovidesistheabilitytofacilitatedigital transformation.Thisisonlyoneofthemanyavailable advantages.Theapplicationoftechnology,suchasartificial intelligence,dataanalytics,andautomation,enables consultantstooffersupporttobusinessesintheprocessof makingdecisionsthatareestablishedonfactsthatcanbe
reliedupon.Theprocessoftransformingrawdatainto insightsthatcanbeputintoactionenablesbusinessesto enhancetheirabilitytoengagewiththeircustomers, optimisetheirperformance,andsuccessfullyanticipate marketmovements.Theseenhancementsareattainable throughtheprocessoftranslatingrawdataintoinsightsthat canbeputintoaction.Theuseofthistechnology-driven approachguaranteesthatcompanieswillcontinuetobe competitiveinanenvironmentthatisalwaysexpandingand inastateofconstantchange.
Additionally,thehumancomponentisofequalvalueinthis context.Inadditiontoputtinganemphasisonprocessesand procedures,creativeconsultingalsoplacesanemphasison
leadership,culture,andthecultivationofnewtalent.Thisis becausecreativeconsultingplacesanemphasisonallthese things.Consultantsworkcloselywithcompaniesto accomplishawiderangeofgoals,suchasthedevelopment ofinclusiveworkplaces,theencouragementofcooperative endeavours,andtheequippingofleaderswiththeskills necessarytoeffectivelymanagechange. Itispossiblefor businessestoestablishamorestablefoundationforlongtermsuccessbyprovidingtheiremployeeswithmore autonomyandbyensuringthatthoseindividualsarealigned withtheorganization’soverallobjective.Theestablishment ofmoresolidfoundationsforsuccesscanbefacilitatedby this.
Anothercomponentthatisabsolutelyrequiredistheability toadapttonewcircumstances.Toencourageorganisations toemployflexiblestrategiesratherthanrigidplans, innovativeconsultingsolutionsarebeingused.Thisstands instarkcontrasttotheconventionalmethodofmeticulously layingeverythingout.Asaresultofthis,itisoftheutmost importancetopreparefortheunpredictabilityofthe situation,investigatenewapproachestoproblem-solving, andencouragecreativityateverylevel.Thistechnique enablesorganisationstorapidlymodifytheirstrategyin reactiontodisturbancesinthemarketwhilesimultaneously seizingfreshopportunitiesallatthesametime.Thisis madepossiblebytakingsuchanapproach.
Innovativeconsultingisultimatelyabouttransformation, whichmeansthatitisnotjustaboutmakingincremental improvementsbutalsoaboutgeneratinghugerevolutions thatrestructurehowfirmsrun.Thisisbecause transformationisthegoalofinnovativeconsulting. Thisis sincetheultimateobjectiveofinnovativeconsultingisto bringabouttransformation.Havingconsultantswhocan combinetheirknowledgeoftechnologywithstrategiesthat arebasedonpeoplemakesitpossiblefororganisationsto surviveinthefaceofcomplexity. Theseconsultantsarethe oneswhomakethiscapabilitypossible.
Inaworldinwhichtheonlythingthatisconstantis change,theprovisionofinnovativeconsultingsolutionsis notaluxurybutratheraneed.Thisisbecauseinnovationis theonlythingthatiscontinuous.Becauseofits implementation,organisationsaregiventheopportunityto thinkinadifferentway,adoptastrategicperspective,and produceresultsthathaveaneffectthatislong-lasting.This isaconsequenceofthefactthatitisimplemented.
