While the world faced economic turmoil, Emilios Markou saw a window of opportunity. Instead of retreating, he set out to disrupt an industry. 

Emilios is the co-founder and Executive Director of Hellas Direct, a leading digital-first insurance company that is changing the insurance market in Greece and beyond. Hellas Direct quickly emerged as a leader in the market, offering streamlined, affordable insurance solutions with stellar service. What started as a mission to revamp Greece's outdated insurance system has grown into an international success, with over 900,000 clients and a presence in Romania and Cyprus. 

Hellas Direct has secured a spot for the fourth time in a row in the Financial Times FT 1000 list of the 1,000 fastest-growing companies in Europe for 2023, which highlights businesses that manage to rise despite global disruptions. 

Reflecting on the achievement, Emilios said: “In an environment that is anything but favorable, we continue to invest in our people and the technological tools that will allow them to continue to work as well as they do.” This commitment to his team exemplifies that true leadership is about driving growth beyond your business and investing your time, effort, and energy into uplifting your community — especially during turbulent times when adaptability matters the most. 

Before his startup journey, Emilios honed his expertise in investment banking with Barclays Capital and Goldman Sachs, crafting intricate financial solutions for major European institutions. This experience, coupled with his background as a McKinsey & Company consultant, prepared him for his influential career path.