Bank executive’s career bolstered by a strong family background

Banking chief executive Christos Papadopoulos says having a large family helps him switch off from work the moment he arrives home.

Christos Papadopoulos says his secret to success was being surrounding by the right people both at work and outside of work. Jaime Puebla / The National

Christos Papadopoulos is the regional chief executive, Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan for Standard Chartered Bank. Born and raised in Cyprus, Mr Papadopoulos studied in the UK at the London School of Economics before embarking on a career at KPMG leading advisory on merger and acquisitions deals, regulatory investigations and governance and internal controls reviews for global banks.

What are your favourite things to do on the weekend?

The nature of my job, covering 10 countries in the Middle East with over 8,000 employees means that I am constantly on the go. I have to deal with complex issues that routinely require my personal attention and cannot be delegated. The weekend is a time for me to unwind, release tension and get in touch with reality and I do that by focusing my attention on my family. I have three sons and three daughters, not counting the dog and the cat. My oldest is 29 and my youngest is 4. I look forward to the weekend when I can spend quality time with them, especially with the young ones, Leonidas my four-year-old son and Ksenia my six-year-old daughter. We usually enjoy being at home and having our family and friends over with their kids. We often go out enjoying brunches and dinners with friends. Over the past five years of living in Dubai, we have formed a great social circle and we relish the time we spend with them.

What do you consider to be your favourite hobby?

I don’t really have a particular hobby, but there are a few things that I enjoy doing whenever time permits. After living in the Middle East on and off for more than 18 years, I have picked up a number of habits. One of them is spending time at my favourite cafe lounge, enjoying a coffee with a cigar or even better, a shisha, connecting with my children who live overseas, catching up on the latest news and developments, often having informal meetings and briefings and catching up with friends.

What can’t you live without?

My social setting and family surrounding. It is the most important thing for me.

What do you consider the secret to your success?

Surrounding myself with the right people, at work and outside of work. Having the right team who feel comfortable challenging your decisions is also very important. I am always intrigued by the power of challenge for a better outcome.

What advice would you offer others starting out in your business?

You have to be willing to take risks, whether it is moving to a new career or a new venture, joining a new team or moving to a new geography. Banking is very diverse and challenging where information, knowledge and a strong network is essential as you move forward.

How do you achieve a work-life balance?

The fact that I have a large family, and because I enjoy spending time with them, makes it fairly easy for me to switch off. As soon as I step into my home and I am greeted by my young children, it just makes all the stress, all the worries, all the tension go away. Having children from all ages makes our home an emotionally dynamic and fulfilling place. It is never a constant.

If you weren’t a chief executive, what else would you be doing?

I would be a serial entrepreneur. I am excited by opportunities and enjoy taking on challenges. I strive on managing multiple businesses/challenges. This is evident in my personal life too, where I am always starting new projects at home and with the children.

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