Meet the Patrons

Efthimios E Mitropoulos was Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization from 2004 until the end of 2011. He joined the IMO in 1979 following a distinguished career in Greece’s maritime sector and in various international fora as a Hellenic Coast Guard Officer (retiring with the rank of Rear Admiral). During his long career in shipping he was awarded several honorary degrees by maritime academies and universities, and both distinctions and medals from many governments around the world. He is currently Chairman of the Board of the Maria Tsakos International Centre for Maritime Research and Tradition.

In 2012 Mr Mitropoulos was awarded the Grand Cross of Merit with Star and Sash Cross of the Federal Republic of Germany. He was also granted the title of Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Founder President and Chairman of Sail Training International (2002-2012). Prior to this he was Chairman of the International Sail Training Association (2000 – 2002) and its Deputy Chairman (1999).

His career before this was in journalism, public affairs, consultancy and corporate management.  Most of his business career was with large multinational companies (ITT, Rolls-Royce, The BOC Group), living and working much of the time outside his native UK.

He is the author of two books: Communicate (about the art and practice of business communications, co-authored with Prof C Northcote Parkinson and published in seven languages in 1979) and Around The Big Blue Marble (a personal account of sailing in the single-handed round the world race 1994-95, published in 1995). He is working on a new book Tall Ships Today scheduled for publication next year to promote the interests of tall ships and sail training for young people.

He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s 2013 New Year Honours List for services to the charity sector.