Yiannis possesses broad expertise in both Greek and cross-border M&A transactions and privatisations, having been involved in a number of complex large-scale projects within these sectors since joining the firm in 2008. He also regularly advises domestic, as well as multinational clients, on concessions (particularly within the infrastructure sector), and has a strong record in energy and capital market transactions.

Yiannis is ranked as an up-and-coming lawyer in the practice area of “Corporate / Commercial” by Chambers Europe Guide 2024, described as “an increasingly prominent lawyer who supports international investors and corporate clients on a wide range of acquisitions”. He is also ranked as a rising star in the practice area of M&A by The IFLR 1000 2023 edition who possesses “business approach and understanding, quick turnaround of documents, attention to detail and understands the client's interests”, as well as a Next Generation Partner in the practice area of Projects and Privatisation by the Legal 500 EMEA 2024, praised as “a key member of the team with expertise in privatisations”.

Academic Background

  • University of Cologne, Law School (LL.M. in Business Law, 2005)

  • University of Cologne, Law School (LL.B (erstes Staatsexamen), 2004)

Languages

  • Greek
  • English
  • German

Professional Memberships

  • Member of the Athens Bar Association

Recognitions

  • IFLR 1000 – M&A (Greece), Rising Star

  • Legal 500 EMEA - Projects and Privatisations (Greece), Next Generation Partner

  • Chambers and Partners – Corporate and Commercial (Greece), Up and Coming

Career Highlights

Recent work includes advice to:

  • AviAlliance GmbH (member of PSP Investments Group) in connection with the IPO of Athens International Airport (AIA) on the Athens Stock Exchange and the acquisition of a controlling stake in AIA,
  • Macquarie Asset Management on the acquisition of a 50% stake in Enel Green Power Hellas, with an implied full enterprise value of approx. 980 million euros,
  • Nexi Group on the acquisition of a majority stake in Alpha Bank’s merchant acquiring business,
  • NN Group on the acquisition of MetLife’s business in Greece, 
  • Cohn Robbins Holdings Corp. (NYSE: CRHC) in connection with the public listing on the NYSE of Allwyn Entertainment (the group-wide brand of SAZKA Entertainment AG) with a total enterprise value of approximately $9.3 billion,
  • SouthBridge on the investments concluded by its investment fund, SouthBridge Europe Mezzanine II SCA SICAR, in the companies Biologiko Xorio, WebHotelier and primalRES,
  • Macquarie Group on the acquisition of a 49% ownership interest in the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO) for € 2.116 bn.,
  • The Sellers, including Southbridge Europe Mezzanine investment fund, in connection with the sale of a significant minority stake in Skroutz S.A. to CVC Capital Partners,
  • Eurobank on the sale of 80% of its subsidiary, FPS, to DoValue (Project Europe),
  • Southbridge Europe Mezzanine investment fund, in connection with the sale of Arivia Group to Upfield,
  • HRADF on the successfully completed privatisation of DESFA, as well as the previously successfully awarded (but not completed) attempt by the HRADF to privatise DESFA and the aborted privatisation of DEPA,
  • Avialliance GmbH in connection with the extension of the concession of the Athens International Airport,
  • Vodafone Hellas in the successfully completed sale process of Cyta Hellas S.A. as well as the successfully completed acquisition of Hellas Online,
  • Hellenic Petroleum S.A. in the tender process launched by the HRADF for the sale by its existing shareholders of 50.1% of its shares to investors,
  • The major shareholders of Stelios Kanakis SA, (listed in AthEx), on the transfer of all of their stake to OFI (member of the Orkla Group),
  • The preferred bidder (Fraport-Copelouzos consortium) with respect to the tender process for the awarded concession of the management, operation and maintenance of 14 regional airports,
  • Copelouzos group in relation to the sale and transfer of a 10% participation stake in the Fraport Greece entities by Slentel to Marguerite Fund,
  • An international consortium in relation to the privatization of Egnatia Odos Motorway (through the award of a relevant service concession agreement),
  • Deutsche Telekom AG on the further acquisition of 5% in OTE S.A.,
  • Virtus South European Fund in the acquisition of a majority stake in Astir Vitogiannis S.A,
  • Olympic Breweries S.A. and its shareholders on the recent merges with Mythos Breweries A.E. (subsidiary of Carlsberg) and the relevant agreements for the future sale of the option shares,
  • Hochtief AG on its divestment from Athens International Airports.