Author: Cleon Papadopoulos

Cleon Papadopoulos was born and raised in Athens, Greece. In 1980, he moved to Bristol, UK, to pursue a degree in Engineering Mathematics. Upon completion, he stayed in the country and enrolled at the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he earned a master’s degree in Operations Research. He then pursued an opportunity at Seascope Insurance Services, a Lloyd’s of London Insurance Broker in 1985. In 1986, he left Seascope and joined the Hellenic Navy as a Petty Officer. After serving 2 years, he returned to civilian life and pursued another degree, this time an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. With this new educational foundation, Cleon Papadopoulos became an interest rate derivatives trader with Security Pacific National Bank in London, the first of many roles he would take in the financial services sector. Building on his knowledge of insurance and derivatives trading, Mr Papadopoulos’ would next serve in several senior level positions at various financial organisations. He joined the Swiss Bank Corporation (SBC) in 1995 as a Director, a position he held for three years. At the time, SBC was one of the largest banks in Switzerland, and throughout the 1990s, the bank’s focus was shifting from conventional commercial banking to investment banking. In 1995, SBC acquired London-based S.G. Warburg to form SBC Warburg, a move that was part of its strategy to become a global investment banking player. Cleon Papadopoulos became an Executive Director at the company, a position he maintained as the company merged with Union Bank of Switzerland to become UBS. Mr Papadopoulos subsequently moved on to other prominent roles in the financial industry, including a time as the Chairman of Greece’s Hellenic Postbank. When not engaged in professional pursuits, Mr Papadopoulos enjoys travel and tennis and is a Member of the Institute of Directors (IoD).

Helping Your Child Enjoy Tennis

Helping Your Child Enjoy Tennis

If you would like your child to succeed at tennis, there are a few things you should keep in mind: the following suggestions could be used by many parents, including London-based Cleon Papadopoulos.

Discipline Is Important

Discipline is a key aspect of tennis, just like many other sporting activities. If a child wants to progress at tennis, then they have to learn to control their emotions and be respectful during practice and matches. It’s not always an easy thing considering that children may not know how to fully control their behaviour at a young age. Bad behaviour can be a result of more than just poor attitude; it can adhere to poor coaching or lack of interest in the sport.

Let the Kid Play

A child’s progress is dependent on many factors – their age, maturity, strength levels, amongst others. Some children will grasp the game quickly, whilst others who seem to pick up the sport at a slower pace, later blossom into strong players later in life. A parent’s role should be to teach consistency and provide support and motivation as the child learns how to play the game. Personal ambitions should have no place in the child’s development.

“I Want to Do Something Else”

In some instances, early success doesn’t always translate to sustained interest in the sport. A child’s goal at an early age might be to improve their athletic talent, whilst others will use sport to help advance their education. Then there are those who will want to pursue the sport all the way. It helps to encourage children as much as possible, but also let them make up their own mind on the path they wish to follow.

What Do You Know About the US Open?

What Do You Know About the US Open?

The United States Open Tennis Championships (US Open) is a tennis tournament played on hardcourt, and is typically the last tennis major of the four that make up the Grand Slam every year; the other three being the French Open, Wimbledon, and the Australian Open.

Held annually, the US Open begins on the last Monday of August, with the tournament played over two weeks, concluding in the second week of September. For a long time, the last day of the US Open has coincided with Labor Day holiday weekend in the United States, a day that is widely considered the “unofficial end of summer”. Since the late 1970s, the US Open has taken place on the outdoor hard courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is the organiser of the tournament, and all proceeds are used to develop tennis in the US.

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<p> Record Breaking Prize Money [Infographic]</a></p><br />
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All the courts used for the US Open are fitted with powerful lighting systems, thus making it possible to play well into the night. Illumination allows playing into primetime; a slot in television coverage that typically has many viewers and is coveted by advertisers. For viewers and tennis fans such as Cleon Papadopoulos – a wealth manager based in London and senior tennis league participant – watching tournaments such as the US Open allows them to see the game’s current stars battle it out for the winning title and rewarding prize money.

By 2017, the US Open plans to increase the overall prize money to approximately $50 million. In 2016, the winners of the men’s (Stanislas Wawrinka) and women’s (Angelique Kerber) singles tournament received $3.5 million each, with the runner-up in each category pocketing $1.75 million. Compared to the other tennis majors, the US Open is the most lucrative, with Wimbledon coming second.

For the men’s singles winner, adding the 2016 US Open trophy left him one title (Wimbledon) shy of completing a career Grand Slam. Wawrinka’s win over top-ranked Novak Djokovic provided him with a shot of momentum heading into the year’s remaining tennis tournaments. He is also a chief force to be reckoned with, especially in major finals (he’s won three majors in three seasons).

On the women’s side, Angelique Kerber’s win over Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic brought more than just financial reward; she became the official No. 1 women’s player, overtaking Serena Williams. The US Open was Kerber’s second major win of the 2016 season, after clinching the Australian Open and reigning in second place in the Wimbledon final. Despite being the oldest No. 1 women’s player at 28-years of age, she has the skills and resilience to remain at the top of her league indefinitely.

For Cleon Papadopoulos, the game of tennis is more than just an activity that helps maintain fitness. He also has a 10-year old son that plays competitively. In our next post, we will focus on how parents can help their children get into tennis.

Top Sightseeing Destinations in Spetses

Greece is a country rich in history, culture and beauty. As the birthplace of democracy and the founder of many of our modern traditions, this country is truly a destination that must be visited to be enjoyed and understood. The country offers many destinations in addition to the capital in Athens. From islands to secluded towns, Greece is home to an ideal destination for historical tourists or for those who wish to relax on vacation.

One of the most beautiful locations in Greece can be found on Spetses island. This popular destination has something to offer everyone, from tourists to adventure-seekers and is a favourite location for many, including Cleon Papadopoulos. Read on to learn more about this unique island that showcases the best of Greece.

Spetses Island

Spetses is an island with a long history and a rich story. It is the southernmost portion of the Saronic Islands, located near the entrance to the Argolic Gulf. This island is covered with rich vegetation and is well-known for its beautiful pine trees. The name of the island is derived from the Greek words meaning “Island of Fragrance.” It is truly a fitting, beautiful name for such a picturesque location.

The island is only a two-hour ferry ride from bustling Athens. Tucked away into the Saronic Island chain, Spetses is inhabited and modernised, though it is still largely covered in vegetation. It is a refreshing mix of the old world and the new. However, the island still has a rich nightlife as well as many beautiful spots to visit, including beaches and swimming locations.

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<p> Spetses: The Monaco of Greece [Infographic]</a></p><br /><br />
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History of Spetses

Spetses Island played a vital role in the history of Greece. It was a key location in the Greek Revolution of 1821 and it is home to a museum commemorating the heroes of this valiant struggle. Spetses has enjoyed a long history as a valuable port location for the Greek Isles, as well as the mainland. Signs of this history can still be seen today in its busy harbour, which receives supplies as well as tourists from the mainland.

The quarter of Dapia is a treasure for lovers of history and classical architecture. Dapia is home to one of the oldest hotels in all of Greece. Called the Hotel Poseidonio, this location boasts beautiful architecture and a close proximity to family-owned taverns and restaurants.

Sightseeing Destinations

If you visit the island of Spetses, there are some spots that you simply cannot miss. Top among this list is the bay of Agios Nikolaos, from which visitors can see the Cathedral of the Island. It is famous for its statuesque bell tower, crafted from Tinian marble.

For a fascinating walk through the history of the island, visit the Bouboulina Museum on the island. It contains personal artefacts and information on the heroine of the Greek Revolution of 1821 who is its namesake. This is the best way to learn about the thrilling history of Spetses and the important role that it played in shaping the Greece we know today.

The only town on the island is known as Spetses Town. This quaint village is a fantastic place to stroll while viewing the classical architecture or to stop and find a bite to eat. If you’re a fan of the rustic feel, you’ll enjoy that the town prohibits most motor vehicle traffic. Other than a few residents, cars and trucks are not allowed and everyone gets around by public transport or by walking. You can even take a horse-drawn carriage.

If you prefer to spend your holidays on the beach, you won’t be disappointed. You can visit Agia Sparaskevi or Agia Marina. Both locations are family friendly and offer visitors the chance to take a swim in the sea or take in some sun on the pristine sands.

The Appeal of Spetses

No matter what you’re looking for, you can make a great vacation to the island of Spetses. It is conveniently located close to the mainland and provides a comfortable, fascinating look at another side of Greece. Greece would be complete without a visit to this charming island.