Panagiotis Papageorgiou serves as Executive Director of the Hellenic Centre for Defence Innovation (ELKAK) having played an instrumental role in its establishment and institutional development, as well as in shaping the new legislative framework governing its operations in Greece. He is responsible for the Technology Transfer, the financial support on defense innovation as the Investments and investment Strategy. 

He brings more than 30 years of international senior management experience across the FMCG, banking, investment, and innovation sectors. He previously served as CEO of a subsidiary of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco International/JTI Group, with responsibility for operations across four countries, and held senior and General Management positions at Probank and the National Bank of Greece.

With extensive experience in investment assessment and innovation financing, he has actively participated in investment committees evaluating business plans, technology-transfer projects, and innovative ventures. He also served as a member of the National Sectoral Scientific Council (NSSC) for Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property, advising the National Council for Research, Technology and Innovation (NCRTI).

Prior to joining ELKAK, he served as Director of Innovation at the Hellenic Development Bank, where he was responsible for designing and developing financing instruments supporting innovation, technology transfer, and innovative SMEs. He also brings more than 20 years of Board-level experience across the banking and consumer goods sectors, including companies with an international footprint.

He holds a BSc in Business Administration from the American College of Greece and an MBA from the University of Wales, Cardiff Business School.