Απολογισμός 1996-2006 - Stavros Niarchos Foundation

Stavros S. NiarchosStavros Spyros Niarchos understood the meaningof thinking and acting globally long before theterm globalization became so prominently used inpublic policy and economics. His business operationsbegan in Greece, the country of his birth and heritage,yet his accomplishments were notable worldwide.He was considered to be one of the most successfulbusinessmen of the twentieth century.Although known predominantly for his shipping business,Niarchos’s diversified financial activities wereat the core of global industry from the time he formedthe Niarchos Group in 1939 until his death in April1996. His legacy continues into the twenty-first centurywith the establishment, upon his death, of the StavrosS. Niarchos Foundation. Committed to working in Greeceand internationally, the Foundation derives its missionfrom Niarchos’s keen instincts and interests in providingaccess to opportunity in the fields of arts and culture,education, health and medicine, and social welfare.Stavros Spyros Niarchos was born July 3, 1909 in Athens.His parents, Spyros Niarchos and Eugenia Coumandaros,both came from small villages near Sparta in southernGreece. He studied law at the University of Athensand began working in 1929 in his family’s grain business.The business quickly provided him with managementopportunities. Recognizing the substantial transportationexpense in importing wheat from Argentina and theformer Soviet Union, Niarchos convinced his familythat it could save money by owning the ships that providedthe transportation. The first six freighters werebought during the Great Depression.While Niarchos served in the Greek Navy during WorldWar II, the Allied Forces leased his first vessel. Niarchosparticipated in the Allied operations in Normandy and wasawarded the Order of the Phoenix, the Royal Order ofKing George I, and the Royal House Order of SS Georgeand Constantine, among other distinguished servicemedals. The ship leased to the Allies was destroyed andNiarchos used the resulting insurance funds as capitalto expand his fleet after the War. Most notably, he boughtoil tankers. Thus began the emergence of StavrosNiarchos as a significant participant in the world ofinternational commerce.In 1956, less than twenty years after creating his ownfirm, Niarchos agreed to build and operate the HellenicShipyards, the first such private investment in Greece.Known as the Skaramanga Yard, it employed over6,000 skilled workers and rapidly became the largestMediterranean shipyard for repairs and new construction.In 1985 the shipyard was placed under state control,but Niarchos’s early and considerable commitmentto Greece still stands as an effective demonstration ofthe power of private investment for the country’seconomic well-being.Niarchos’s business philosophy in shipping was to buyand build big; his supertankers set world records forsize and carrying capacity. For many years he owned thelargest private fleet in the world. At its peak, his shippingcompany operated more than 80 tankers.Beyond the shipping business, Niarchos saw opportunitiesin many venues. His accomplishments rangedfrom competitive sailing to championship horseracing. He earned recognition as an important investorin and collector of fine art. He worked tirelessly anddemanded much from those who worked for him. Asthe master of his own success, he understood wellthe potential of every individual. He believed stronglyin his family and despite travels and residencesthroughout the world, he never lost his commitmentto Greece and his belief in Hellenism.Stavros Niarchos recognized the importance of having aglobal strategy early in his career. His vision enhancedhis business and investment successes and contributedto the quality of his many exceptional collections. Thefamily members and business associates charged withexecuting his philanthropic goals use the lessons andcapital from his achievements to direct the Foundation’sactivities in Greece and throughout the world. Bydesignating a significant part of his estate to establishthe Stavros S. Niarchos Foundation, Niarchos created anenduring commitment to enriching the lives of othersaround the world.2