Alexandros Bakatselos, one of the most active entrepreneurs in Northern Greece, passed away in Thessaloniki, on August 11th, 2016, at age 84.
Alexandros Bakatselos was born and raised in Thessaloniki. He studied in Anargyrios and Korgialenios School of Spetses, one of the finest schools of the Balkan area. After that he studied economics at the Universities of Brussels (Université Libre de Bruxelles) and Thessaloniki (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki).
In 1959, entered the business world of Thessaloniki, by founding completely on his own "Pyramis Metallourgia Northern Greece Ltd" which was renamed to “Pyramis Metallourgia A.E.” in 1968.
Pyramis Metallourgia A.E. is a Greek multinational company producing and offering integrated kitchen and bathroom solutions. The company is a leader in the Greek market where its products have been well known for more than 50 years and is among the leading producers of stainless steel and composite sinks, exporting to more than 65 countries all over the world, and having established subsidiaries in Poland, United Kingdom, Germany, Romania, Italy, Russia, Bulgaria, United Arab Emirates and the Czech Republic.
Alongside his activities in "Pyramis Metallougia A.E.", he was president and CEO of the family’s real estate company, “DELPHINI A.E.”
In 1975 he made a dynamic entrance in the field of financial institutions. He was the founding member of two Greek banking institutions, “Ergasias Bank”, where he held the position of Board Member for 16 consecutive years and “Egnatia Bank”, where he was the main shareholder and vice president. After the merger of Egnatia Bank and Marfin Bank, he remained vice president of the Board until 2011.
In 1996, he moved to fill the gap in the press of Thessaloniki and in cooperation with Christos Lambrakis and Georgios Bobolas, founded the publishing company “Ekdotiki Voreiou Ellados A.E.” which published the newspapers “Aggelioforos” and “Sunday Aggelioforos”, in “Philippos”, a state-of-the-art and fully integrated printing and production unit in the Industrial Area of Kilkis.
The two newspapers dominated the press of Thessaloniki until the years of the financial crisis in the country.
Being a restless participator in the social and business life of Thessaloniki and Greece Alexandros Bakatselos holded the positions of:
- President of the Federation of Industries of Northern Greece for two terms.
- Vice President of Olympic Airways from 1989 to 1993, a period during which the Greek carrier made profits thanks to his personal perseverance and patience in enforcing proper management and control.
- President of HELEXPO-Thessaloniki International Fair. During his tenure, the largest conference center of Thessaloniki “I. Vellidis” was constructed, and the construction of HELEXPO exhibition center in Athens began.
- President of the Greek-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce.
- Chairman of the sports club "ARIS".
- President of Kalamaria’s Naval club.
- Founding member of the Propeller Club of Thessaloniki.
- Founder of the open seas Sailing School and instigator of submarine activity in Northern Greece.
- He was the Honorary Consul General of Belgium in North Greece.
- He was the president of Thessaloniki Concert Hall from 1998 to 2015. He completed the construction of both buildings of the Hall, without exceeding the budget.
He was honored and distinguished many times for his contribution to social, political, military and religious institutions. In particular:
In 2009 the Belgian Government awarded him the medal of “Officer of the Order of Leopold II”, while next year the King of Belgium awarded him the medal “Cinque de Premiere Classe”,
The Patriarch of Constantinople awarded him the 2nd highest honor offered by the Patriarchate. He was also honored with the “Gold Cross of the Holy Monastery Xenofontos” on Mount Athos and assigned by the Patriarchate as a Member of the Board of the Patriarchal Institution of Religious Studies.
During the German occupation he was the youngest member in the Greek resistance EDES organization, service for which he was twice decorated by the Ministry of National Defence. He received an award from “Evelpidon” Military Cadet School for his overall contribution to culture while President of the Concert Hall of Thessaloniki.
In 2002 the World Scout Organization offered him an award for his personal service to the organization.
He was declared Honorary President of the Community of Promachon of the Prefecture of Pella and Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Eastern Thessaloniki. Lastly, the Association of Advertising Companies of Northern Greece presented him with an award for his contribution in the field of media, the prize awarded by the Minister of Macedonia - Thrace.
He was married to Timi Bakatselou and had four sons.