George Bakos – Get to know our VAB member
We are pleased to welcome George Bakos to the VAB community, joining us from Athens, Greece. George is currently a partner and chief commercial officer (CCO) at Verallis, a firm specialising in uncovering hidden profits through cost reduction and optimisation, with operations in Greece and Romania. His career spans senior executive roles, including CEO positions at Premia Properties, a listed REIC, and Zeritis Group, a leading industrial group with activities across Greece, Bulgaria, Hungary and Egypt. He also served as a director at KPMG Greece for eight years and was CEO of one of the largest automotive groups in the Balkans for 15 years. George is eager to connect with fellow VAB members who share his passion for strategy development in areas such as ESG, family and corporate governance, and purpose-driven innovation. He is particularly keen on engaging with peers committed to building businesses with lasting impact. Feel free to reach out to George to learn more about his interests and his board journey.
What inspired you to become a member of the Virtual Advisory Board community?
I was inspired to join the Virtual Advisory Board (VAB) community because it is a platform that resonates with my commitment to strong governance, ESG leadership and international best practices. Having worked across industries and countries, I value the exchange of insights and the opportunity to both learn from, and contribute to, a peer community of accomplished board leaders. It’s an environment where diverse perspectives drive better decision-making and that aligns perfectly with how I see my role as a board advisor.
In what area do you feel board advisors can add the most value for Boards of Directors (BoDs) and executive teams?
I believe board advisors bring the most value by providing an independent, cross-industry perspective that blends governance expertise with operational insight. In my experience, this is particularly critical in areas like compliance and risk management, ESG integration, marrying people strategy with sustainable growth, and aligning family interests with corporate governance for family-owned businesses. Board advisors also play a key role in M&A decision-making and in guiding boards through complex transitions: always with a focus on creating long-term stakeholder value.
What would be your dream company/organisation to work with as a board advisor/NED?
I’m particularly drawn to companies that see governance as a strategic advantage rather than a compliance obligation. My dream company would be a purpose-driven organisation that has a strong commitment to ESG, innovation and stakeholder value. Ideally, this would be a family-owned business (listed or not) and holding mid-to-large cap, where my experience in family businesses and corporate governance, operational excellence and cross-border M&As can drive tangible impact.
I am genuinely committed to continuous learning and fostering inclusive, high-performing boards. My varied experience across industries and cultures has taught me the importance of adaptability, listening and balancing strategic foresight with human-centric leadership.
What book or podcast would you recommend to VAB members that might improve their skills in corporate governance, board advisory or boosting board-to-executive team communications?
I would recommend Boards That Lead by Ram Charan, Dennis Carey and Michael Useem. It offers a pragmatic, forward-thinking approach to how boards can move beyond oversight and become active partners in shaping strategy and leadership. It’s especially useful for improving board-to-executive communications and understanding where to draw the line between governance and management. The book’s insights are highly applicable for both listed companies and dynamic private firms navigating growth or transformation.
