4 Apr 2012 07:00
Goldenport Holdings Inc.
Athens, 4 April 2012
Executive Appointments
Goldenport Holdings Inc. ("Goldenport" or "the Company"), (LSE: GPRT) the international shipping company that owns and operates a fleet of container and dry bulk vessels announces that its Board of Directors has appointed Mr. John Dragnis as Chief Executive Officer, a post that he will assume immediately.
Captain Paris Dragnis, Founder and current Chief Executive Officer of Goldenport will remain as an Executive Director / President. In his new role he will continue to provide his advice and support to the newly appointed CEO and to the Board of Directors.
Chris Walton, Non-Executive Chairman of Goldenport commented on the new Executive appointment:
"I welcome the appointment of Mr. John Dragnis as CEO. I believe that he has the skills to lead the Company to even greater success and further strengthen the Company's position in both of its chosen sectors.
As Goldenport's Commercial Director since the IPO, John played a significant role in the strengthening of the Goldenport brand. In particular, he has been very effective in building counterparty relationships and nurturing new relationships with ship charterers around the globe. Over these six years, John has spent a considerable proportion of his time developing our commercial business and identifying opportunities for fleet expansion through the acquisition of new-build and second-hand vessels. As an Executive Director he has also interacted closely with all the aspects of Goldenport's operations such as fleet management, finance and investor relations.
We are very confident in John's ability to lead Goldenport into the future as a customer-focused global provider of shipping services, adhering to operational excellence and high industry standards. The appointment is the successful culmination of a leadership succession process that began several years ago. As a result, we believe that John is the most appropriate person to continue the leadership begun by Captain Paris Dragnis.
On behalf of the Board, I thank Captain Paris Dragnis for leading the company since its flotation as a public company. He has successfully applied a prudent model of growth that has enabled Goldenport to renew and expand its fleet without sacrificing the strength of its balance sheet, while continuing to reward shareholders with a regular dividend. I am pleased that he will remain closely involved with the business that he founded."
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Goldenport Holdings Inc.:
Chris Walton, Chairman +30 694 9471352
John Dragnis, Chief Executive Officer +30 210 8910500
Investor Relations Coordinators:
Capital Link:
Eleni Theodoropoulou - London +44 203 206 1320
Nicolas Bornozis - New York +1 212 661 7566
E-mail: goldenport@capitallink.com
info@goldenport.biz
Further Information:
Mr. John Dragnis - Biography
John Dragnis was appointed as Commercial director on admission on 5 April 2006 and as an Executive Director on 4 October 2010. Since appointment, John has spent considerable amount of his time developing the business and identifying opportunities for fleet expansion through the acquisition of new building or second hand vessels. During the last six years since the Company's IPO, John has maintained existing relationships and established new ones with charterers and ship-yards, especially in the Far East.
Prior to the Company's admission, in addition to his normal duties John was also involved in setting up and managing a super-yachts management and chartering business.
John holds a degree in Business Administration and a Masters degree in Shipping, Trade and Finance from CASS Business School, London.
Overview of Goldenport
Goldenport is an international shipping company that owns and operates a fleet of twenty-five container and dry bulk vessels that transport cargo worldwide. The fleet consists of twelve container vessels and thirteen dry bulk carriers. Goldenport is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker GPRT.
Website: www.goldenportholdings.com or www.goldenport.biz