Dr. Thomas Theodorakopoulos
For more than 28 years, I have been committed to developing my qualifications and skills in Civil Engineering and Project Management through my studies and the experience I have obtained. My education took place both in Greece and the United Kingdom, earning a Master’s degree from Bristol University and a PhD from Loughborough University.
My expertise lies in Project and Construction Management, and I have reached the highest level of proficiency in that field. My desire to excel and become an expert in my field as a Project Manager led me to work with major contractors and manage large and complex projects valued up to 1.3bn Euros. I enhanced my skills in solving difficult issues and became a capable negotiator with a proven track record of managing joint-venture construction projects requiring collaboration, consolidation, and coordination of resources. I possess exemplary communication and presentation skills and am adept at managing stakeholders, contractors, and suppliers, building sustainable working relationships at all levels.
Commercially astute with an instinct for identifying new business opportunities, I displayed entrepreneurial flair by establishing two limited companies in the renewable energy sector, both pertaining to solar energy projects that focused on producing clean energy. I am always focused on solutions that protect the environment.
Blending outstanding qualifications with more than 15 years of experience in large-scale construction projects and management. I hold a Doctorate (PhD) in Construction and Project Management. I am recognised as a Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) by the Association of Project Management (APM) and a Chartered Member (MCIOB) of the Chartered Institute of Building. I am highly proficient in all aspects of project management, from inception to completion.
In 2019, I achieved the distinction of becoming one of the first 600 Chartered Project Professionals worldwide. This achievement represents the pinnacle of my dedication to my field of expertise in project management, earning significant recognition from my peers.
I have extensive qualifications and experience in Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), having demonstrated versatility by working on a variety of projects. These include motorway projects, railway projects, renewable energy projects, commercial and industrial building projects, and high-value residential projects.
Setting high goals and achieving them forms the core of my actions, driving me to continue onward. Over the years, passing through many turbulent moments, I have come to realise that knowledge, experience, and education are not mere personal privileges, but gifts that we must share to help others.
Half of this realisation comes from my parents, both teachers, who taught me the value of giving and supporting others. The other half comes from understanding that knowledge is a gift and a powerful tool to help others. This realisation led me to help people in a more public fashion, in contrast to how I had done so for many years. It was necessary for me to help on a larger scale. I wanted to create the opportunity to help people, especially children, who have limited or no access to education.
Throughout my life, I have travelled extensively around the globe. This has allowed me to observe civilisations, communities, and individuals, and understand that we need to MOVE forward together, not as separate entities, but as united.
“Upon witnessing the astonishing sight of children living amidst garbage, we felt strongly that we had to act; this experience left an indelible mark on our lives.”.
During the trip to Cambodia, Eleni and I encountered a problem that we could not ignore. Our visit to these impoverished communities was the catalyst that led us both to create The Reaching Out Project.
As a Project Manager, I quickly recognised the complex, multilayered problems faced by communities, children, and schools in Cambodia. Understanding that this was a multifaceted problem requiring a solution, we decided to take action rather than merely feeling saddened by the reality. I set a personal goal to help these impoverished children improve their lives through education, to assist their families in hoping for a better future, and to help them break free from the cycle of poverty that devastates children physically and mentally.
I didn’t see just one problem; I saw a complex network of struggles that needed to be addressed. We cannot isolate these children as having only one issue, namely education. I saw a more comprehensive picture, an integrated view that the environment needs to be developed, mental health must be enhanced, and their lives in general, including security, health, and better living and school conditions, need to be improved. A holistic, integrated approach is the solution. We engaged in discussions with locals, authorities, and children, and upon our return to Greece, we prioritised how this assistance could be brought to fruition.
Everything starts with a simple question: How we can help as many children as possible? With this in mind, we have managed to continuously support more than 350 children so far, and we agreed to extend our support to more than 1000 children in the coming year.
“Personal fulfillment is the ultimate aspect of human evolution,
and that comes with happiness,
which should also be derived from GIVING.”
“As Thomas, I believe in leaving behind a better world, and as Dr. Thomas Theodorakopoulos, I know how to do it.”
Eleni Ioannidou
As an Attorney at Law before the Supreme Court and a member of the Athens Bar Association, I have built a comprehensive case portfolio over many years, winning almost all cases assigned by my clients, the majority of whom are companies that have trusted me for a long time.
In my academic journey, I earned two Bachelor’s degrees, one from the Economical University of Athens and one from the Law School at the University of Athens. My degree in Economics enabled me to quickly adapt to law cases related to Civil and Corporate Law. To gain further expertise, I also completed a Master’s degree, LL.M., in corporate law. Hence, I possess all the qualifications needed to make a career in Law, actively presenting in all Greek courts. I chose to actively engage with legal cases and go before the bar, so I established my own firm almost at the beginning of my career.
My ability to successfully handle complex cases and my focus on the client, adapting to their needs as required, have led to my being in high demand by many clients, both individuals, and companies, thereby building my reputation as an Attorney at Law.
Through the legal cases I have undertaken, I have realised that being a lawyer is primarily about impacting human lives. I am always on the side of those in need and strive to involve myself in cases that require creativity and innovation.
These experiences have shaped who I am today. I care for people, and fight for their rights in society, and as a lawyer, I undertake projects for companies that positively impact society as a whole. These values did not suddenly appear in my life; they were instilled in me by my family and their environment.
“Support, Help, Kindness and Love have no borders in this world, and we can share each and every one of these to every corner of the Earth.”
My parents, who were educated at a university in Germany and worked there before returning to Greece, raised me with the values of supportiveness, fairness, and always standing by those in need. This upbringing was the main reason I was drawn to the field of Law, where I could amplify the values I learned from my family and make a significant positive impact on others’ lives.
My involvement in Cambodia and The Reaching Out Project, which supports poor and vulnerable children there, seems like a logical progression of my life so far. My innate desire to care for and support others needed to be expressed on a larger scale, as Thomas also mentions, and here we are. Personally, I strongly believe that a person cannot be happy and complete without giving to others and without love. Both are needed to be happy and balanced.
I must admit, it is not easy to be almost 10,000 km away from home, supporting entire communities and schools. In fact, it is extremely difficult at times. Sometimes, our lives were in danger. But I will say this: when we see these children laugh and express happiness because of what we can do for them and their families, these difficulties disappear.
As Eleni, my soul will remain on this path. As a lawyer, I feel more complete now, more balanced, and encouraged to help and support ever greater numbers of people by making a huge positive impact on their lives.
“We are born with love and we learn to live with love. The sky is the limit, along with children’s smiles.”
