Vernicos Steps in as OKE President

George Vernicos was elected president of the Economic and Social Council of Greece (OKE) for the 2015-2019 period.

A board member of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping (NEE), the Hellenic Professional Yacht Owners Association and secretary general of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), Mr Vernicos thanked all those who voted for him.

“Today more than ever social cohesion and consensus is a necessary condition to lead the country to growth,” Mr Vernicos said last week just after his election.

“In today’s society, OKE has served since 2001 as a constitutional pluralistic ‘podium’ of organized and structured dialogue between social partners… We have important work ahead of us,” he added.

Founded in in 1957, OKE submits opinions to the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council on issues relating to all sectors during the European legislative process or elaborate opinions on its own initiative.

Owner of Vernicos Yachts, Mr Vernicos hails from a Sifnos ship-owning family. He studied economics at the universities of Athens and London.