Meet The Greeks: IYC's Charter Management Team Leading Our Charter Success
At IYC, teamwork is at the core of how we operate. And, for us to deliver our boutique approach and data-led insights across the board to all clients, our worldwide teams have continued to match the demand by growing rapidly.
One team, in particular, experiencing such growth is our exceptional charter management team in Greece, which was recently honored with the ‘2024 Strongest Fleet Growth Award' at IYC's annual Excellence Awards in Palm Beach. In addition, the forthcoming Mediterranean Yacht Show (MEDYS) in Nafplio, from 3-7 May 2025, will see an impressive 25 charter yachts in our lineup, presented by this talented team.
As a long-time leader in the Greek charter market, IYC has continued to raise the bar. Not only has Greece secured the status of being the number one charter destination driven by increasing demand, but IYC's growing fleet has been complemented by the growth of our team, ensuring each charter yacht continues to receive the highest level of service.
From Senior Charter Managers to Junior and Management Assistants - combined with ongoing support from the wider IYC global teams - today, our team is the industry's largest charter management team in Greece. Here, we spotlight the expert individuals providing this next-level service to all our clients, setting IYC apart, one charter yacht at a time:
Xenia Tsipidou: Head of Charter Management - Greece
Counting more than 20 years of yacht charter experience under her belt and after being awarded with the 'Employee Excellence Award' as well as the ‘Fleet Growth Excellence Award’ in Palm Beach in 2025, it is easy to see why Xenia Tsipidou has recently stepped into her role leading IYC's Charter Management Team in Greece. Initially, her love of travel and the ocean brought her into yachting.
Over the years, her experience and entrepreneurial spirit have driven her to develop such a successful yachting career. Having run her own charter management company, YachtLove for nine years - which IYC acquired last year, Xenia is now proud to oversee IYC's and Greece's largest charter management team. She regularly emphasizes that regardless of titles, the team's success stems from combining all team members' experience, expertise, and strengths.
As Xenia says: "We are now even more communicative, and have closer relationships with all our clients and captains." As IYC continues to expand the fleet, she loves to onboard new team members and train aspiring charter managers, catering to the range of clients. Xenia supports a fair and dynamic management style that filters through all aspects, from the company procedures and employee mentality to the client relationships. Appreciating that all yachts and clients are unique, Xenia's primary goal is to ensure each charter manager is paired with the yacht that fits their skillset best.
As well as leading the team, Xenia loves hosting clients and captains at the office in Athens and helping her team create the most unforgettable charter moments with the most fun and inspiring way.
Fotis Geranios: Senior Charter Manager
Being part of IYC's Greek arm from the beginning, Fotis Geranios has been with the charter management team for a decade this year, with nine of these years holding the Head of Charter Management position. After studying Hotel and Hospitality Management and managing various renowned hotels in Mykonos, Fotis' yachting expertise and management foundations began in 2007.
His friendly and approachable demeanor has helped him build endless yachting connections; you will always find him at all the boat shows, including the forthcoming MEDYS. He prides IYC's charter management services as "international with a Greek heart." Fotis is proud to be part of the team and values the considerable support all the IYC departments bring him and his team to provide the best service to the Greek fleet and crew at all times. Fotis was awarded with the 'Employee Excellence Award' in Palm Beach in 2023.
Anna Michail: Senior Charter Manager
Anna Michail started her career in yachting 27 years ago, with initial experience at a yacht agency and within sales teams. After running her own successful agency for seven years, she transitioned into the charter management sector over 15 years ago. Anna has been here through the company's substantial growth over the past six years, from 20 to 60 yachts in the Greek charter management fleet and from three to seven team members. Today, Anna still manages some of the original yachts that she started with, with examples such as BLISS, IPANEMAS, and OVAL, to name a few.
Being highly organized with an eye for detail, Anna loves working within the charter management team and thrives under pressure - no problem is ever too big. As she highlights: "If you love what you do, then you will do it right." Anna also loves working with the newer team members to share her wealth of experience and knowledge, who she says are very eager to learn, making it an extremely enjoyable place to work while training them to become charter managers.
Eleni Zissi: Charter Manager
Yachting is a lifestyle and career that has been with Eleni Zissi from a young age, with her mother working for a yachting company in the 1980s and time spent on her family-owned motor yacht; she appreciates the industry from both a manager's and client's perspective. Having studied business management, ship management, and charter operations while building her career alongside mentors passionate about the industry, Eleni has learned the ins and outs of how yachting in Greece works since 2014.
As a proactive charter manager, she understands that the finer details are the aspects that will ensure a yacht stands out from the rest. Working in her "dream job" as part of the IYC team, Eleni has excellent communication skills not only with her colleagues yet also with the clients and yacht owners at all times and she will deliver the best results in how yachts are presented. With her finger always on the pulse, Eleni is excited to see how the Greek yacht market develops and is thrilled to be part of IYC leading the way.
Vasiliki Bellou: Charter Management Assistant
Beginning her yachting career in 2019 at the previously acquired YachtLove, Vasiliki Bellou has been consistently building upon her yacht charter management experience, and for the last year working at IYC, she continues to do so. Vasiliki has embraced the opportunity of being part of a bigger company and the variety a larger team brings. She loves that they all help each other as a team, and working with individuals with extensive experience has helped grow her self-development.
With a passion for data-led insight and a natural talent for honing in on the details, she is quickly refining her skills as a future charter manager. Vasiliki is enthusiastic about building relationships, always ready to learn new things, and values the captains as the most essential ingredient for a successful charter. During her first year at IYC, she has expanded her portfolio and is now eager to showcase the fleet at the upcoming MEDYS show and throughout the season.
Zoi Orfanidou: Charter Management Assistant
Holding a marketing and economics degree, Zoi Orfanidou entered the yachting world in 2008, working for a yacht brokerage company for almost a decade, assisting the sales and charter departments. Zoi joined the charter management team after a break in her career, raising her son, as she was ready to rejoin the industry with great enthusiasm. As a relatively new team member, she is excited about this opportunity and has quickly adjusted back into the sector, thanks to her perfectionist nature and organizational strengths.
Zoi is grateful to learn even more with the support of the team. Speaking with owners, captains, and brokers daily is one of Zoi's favorite things about the role. Working to build up her experience, she is focussing on the fleet, building up bookings, and is ready to level up her charter management career.
Smaragda Fetsi: Charter Management Assistant
As a young child, Smaragda Fetsi loved visiting marinas and spending time on the ocean, which, after her maritime studies, naturally drew her into a career in yachting. Working firstly as a yacht agent and then managing smaller boat fleets, she joined IYC last year. Beginning in retail, Smaragda has had an overall insight into the industry and, as the most recent addition to the charter management team, is honored to be in this role today. Having bonded with the team already, she highlights how the experienced team teaches her new things daily and is always fully supported.
Her communication skills, efficiency, and creativity bring fresh new ideas to the team, and her additional passion for digital marketing means she is particularly interested in ensuring the fleet's appearance is at its best. Smaragda is eager to continue her development in charter management and is looking forward to becoming a charter manager with IYC in the near future.
From industry veterans to new team members passionate about development, each of these seven individuals plays a vital role in delivering the utmost personalized service while maintaining IYC's reputation as a global charter leader with a Greek heart.Â
With a growing fleet, local expertise, and a collaborative teamwork ethic, the IYC Greece charter management team is excited to lead the way and hopes to welcome you to MEDYS next month. Contact us today to arrange yacht visits and management team meetings.Â