The Managing Director Awards 2026 The story of PERI Hellas & Cyprus began with PERI, one of the largest manufacturers of formwork and scaffolding in the world. The family-owned company was founded in 1969 by Artur and Christl Schwörer in Weißenhorn, Germany. Over the decades, the husband and wife evolved PERI to stand as an industry leader, with more than 160 warehouses and over 60 subsidiaries worldwide, including PERI Hellas & Cyprus. PERI Hellas was established in 1999, and its headquarters and main warehouse are in Koropi, Greece. In 2023, PERI Cyprus was founded as a branch, marking the company’s expansion into the Cypriot market. As the business continued to grow, additional warehouses established across cities in both Greece and Cyprus, ensuring enhanced service and support for its customers. At its core, PERI Hellas & Cyprus is committed to making the construction process faster, more efficient, and safer, in full alignment with PERI’s global mission. The team’s primary goal is to provide customers with formwork and scaffolding systems that are not only efficient and safe but also possess the right techno-economic solutions for their unique requirements. This mission is reinforced by Managing Director, Christos Chaidemenos, who has demonstrated a history of success in the Greek construction industry, built on invaluable experience. Christos studied civil engineering at the Democritus University of Thrace in Greece, specialising in structural engineering. He embarked on his professional journey in 1995, beginning his career as a design engineer for a consulting firm specialising in structural studies. Shortly thereafter, he Formwork & Scaffolding Systems MD of the Year 2026 (Mediterranean): Christos Chaidemenos Operating under the PERI Group, PERI Hellas & Cyprus is a trusted partner to the construction industry. The company is steered by Managing Director Christos Chaidemenos, a strong business development professional who has built a successful career around strategy, leadership, and putting people first. Christos has been recognised in The Managing Director Awards 2026 for his exceptional leadership capabilities and commitment to guiding his team with compassion, understanding, and respect. We spoke with Christos to find out more below. established his own technical office that allowed him to focus on the design and construction of small residential buildings. In 1999, PERI Hellas & Cyprus sought out to find a partner located in Northern Greece, specifically in Thessaloniki. Christos was living in Thessaloniki at the time and came into contact with the company. Following communication, he agreed to take on the role of Sales Engineer, making him responsible for PERI’s products within Northern Greece. Christos’ professional career took another exciting pivot in 2013, when PERI’s management offered him the position of General Manager of its subsidiary in Greece and Cyprus. This new role demonstrated the unwavering trust he had earned in just over a decade, particularly as Greece was facing a challenging period of deep economic crisis, with the construction industry severely impacted. “Upon assuming the role, my first priority was to do everything possible to ensure that all PERI employees felt secure about the future,” Christos recalled. “After all, it was with these same people that we would need to rebuild. We needed a solid and future-proof plan for the company.” It was during these difficult times that Christos discovered his passion for strategy and leadership. Through determination and hard work, he learned that every challenge is a hidden opportunity for growth and improvement. Over the years, this experience was translated into the ability to deeply analyse each problem, playing an instrumental role in successfully developing the ongoing strategy of PERI Hellas’ operations. When leading a team and working towards a goal, it is important to have a solid plan established. However, Christos has learned through the years that the most important element of a plan is the people. He places great emphasis on connecting with his team through his daily work: resolving any matter of professional and personal challenges they face, leading with an open-door policy, and always making time for everyone, regardless of their position within the company. Psychological safety is an essential element of PERI Hellas’ operations, as the most effective teams are those that can bring their mistakes to light and create appropriate preventative mechanisms. For this to happen, the right culture must exist, with each employee feeling safe and comfortable to use their voice without fear. Such a culture begins with the management team, and is a goal Christos continually works towards. “I am approachable at all levels of the organisation, and this applies not only to me but to the entire management team,” Christos told us. “Both I and the management team follow a flexible leadership approach, depending on each colleague’s level of experience and readiness. I like to delegate and I avoid getting involved in every detail; however, when needed, I am always willing to support, direct, or coach.” “It is essential to maintain communication across all levels of employees and convey the message: ‘I am here, I am aware, and I care.’” Christos is joined by an experienced management team that collectively brings
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