DESPINA Theodosiou has been elected president of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association at the group’s annual meeting in Rotterdam.

Ms Theodosiou is chief executive of satellite and radio communications service provider Tototheo Maritime. The Limassol, Cyprus-headquartered group was founded in 1978 by Totos Theodossiou, and has offices in Greece and Singapore.

“Incredibly honoured and proud to have been elected President of WISTA INT’L! @WISTAInt,” Ms Theodosiou said in a tweet.

Ms Theodosiou is a board member of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber and president and founding member of Wista Cyprus.

Tototheo Maritime said it was honoured Ms Theodosiou had taken up the role of Wista president. “We are certain that Despina’s professional passion and dedication will be evident and the association and its members have an even more dynamic and exciting future to look forward to.”

"Despina represents everything that Wista stands for and needs to continue its mission: she is dynamic, inclusive, and a inspiring role model for this next generation of women in the industry," Shipowners Claims Bureau (Hellas) Inc managing director and global business development director Dorothea Ioannou said. 

Cyprus Shipping Chamber director-general Thomas Kazakos tweeted: “We warmly congratulate Despina Theodosiou, WISTA Cyprus President & CSC BOD member for her election as WISTA International President; Bravo!”

Ms Theodosiou holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the National and Capodistrian University of Athens, an executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics from the Copenhagen Business School and a postgraduate diploma in financial strategy from Oxford University.