Born in Larissa, Greece on 2/12/1932.

Graduated from Athens College, holds a B.A. in economics from Hamilton College and a M.A. in economics from Columbia University.

Served on the staff of the National Bureau of Economic Research, New York and was a lecturer at New York University.

Economist by training and banker by profession, he joined the National Bank of Greece as Economic Adviser, and from 1959 to 1979 Director and Director General of the National Investment Bank for Industrial Development (ETEBA).

Chairman of the board and CEO of Olympic Airways (1977-1979), Governor of the National Bank of Greece from 1979 to 1981 and President of the Union of Greek banks.

Member of the European Parliament (Christian Democrats) and head of the Greek delegation from 1984 to April 1990 (General Rapporteur for the 1986 budget of the E.E.C.), and again from 1994 to 1999.

In 1990, he was alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs, and shortly after Minister of National Economy (1990-1992).

From February 1992 to November 1993 he was the Governor of the Bank of Greece.

From April 2004 to 2009 he was executive Chairman of Hellenic Petroleum S.A.

From 2010 to June 2013 Chairman of EFG Eurobank.

He has also been Governor for Greece of the World Bank and of the I.M.F., and Chairman or Member of the Board on many industrial, banking and insurance corporations in Greece and abroad.