Ioannis Bras

Mr. Ioannis Bras, started his career in the U.K., after completing his studies as a Structural Engineer (BEng (hons) Structural Engineering with Architecture) and Project Manager (MSc in Engineering Project Management), from the Universities of Manchester and UMIST.

Through different positions of responsibility, like PFI projects and Risk Management analysis in the closure of nuclear reactors, he gained extensive knowledge and experience cooperating with very large companies.

After his return to Greece in 2002, he worked in the development of commercial & real estate projects, Project Management Services and development of new projects.

In 2010 he became Managing Director of the Heraklion Port Authority S.A. and since 2012, he is also Chairman. In this position, he has focused primarily in the strategic planning and development of the port of Heraklion, with emphasis on the cruise business, and also in the promotion of relationships with all stakeholders that can contribute in the opening and in the multiplicity of the port’s nodal point in the Mediterranean.  Since then, two cruise companies use Heraklion as Home Port base and 2 more are expected to start in 2015-16.

As a result of these efforts, Heraklion’s Port Authority S.A. has received the following awards:

2010- Best  Mediterranean Destination 2010, Cruises News Media Group

2011- Friendship Award Greece-China, Chinese Folk Association of Friendship with foreign countries

2012- IPMA, Hellenic Project Excellence Award 2012

2012- Port of the Year Award 2012, Runner Up, Seatrade Insider

2013- Most Improved Destination 2012, Cruise Insight magazine