Libra Group

🌱 Pleased to share that COCO-MAT, part of Libra Group’s diversified investments portfolio and the prominent Greek manufacturer of specialist mattresses and natural sleep products, has recently unveiled a new store in #Athens, Greece, at Syggrou Avenue 155 in Nea Smyrni. 🆕 Located just a short walk from the main square of Nea Smyrni, a vibrant hub in one of the liveliest neighborhoods south of Athens, the new COCO-MAT store offers a unique experience for visitors. The store’s design follows COCO-MAT’s “Sleep on Nature” philosophy, fostering harmony between natural materials and #modern design.   With a footprint in over 35 cities across 22 countries, COCO-MAT, the Greek manufacturer of #sustainably sourced mattresses and #NaturalSleep products, continues to expand and modernize its global store network.   Founded in 1989, COCO-MAT is dedicated to providing the world’s best sleep products, crafted from high-quality, all-natural, sustainably sourced materials. Since investing in COCO-MAT in 2013, Libra Group remains dedicated to supporting its mission, maintaining a 50% stake in the company.   ✨ We are proud to follow #COCOMAT’s new chapter in Nea Smyrni!   Learn more about the new store: https://lnkd.in/e4RJGjcd

🚀 Earlier this month, the team from Space Leasing International (SLI), one of our #aerospace subsidiaries and the world’s first dedicated #SpaceLeasing company, participated in the World Space Business Week (WSBW) in #Paris. #WSBW is the premier global business event for space and #satellite professionals, attracting over 1,600 decision-makers, innovators, and investors from over 50 countries. The event facilitates exchanges and deal-making that shape the industry's future, serving as a critical hub for addressing pressing industry challenges and advancing #innovation. SLI's delegation, which included Chief Operating Officer Ilias Tsakalis and Financial Analyst Cyril Cartier, along with Board Members Praveen Vetrivel and Crispin Maunder, had the opportunity to connect with industry #leaders and exchange insights on the future of space asset leasing. 🛰️ SLI is actively participating in a projected $1 trillion #space economy by leasing a broad portfolio of space assets and bridging the gap between manufacturers and operators of space assets. We look forward to seeing what the next year holds for the SLI team as they continue to engage in vital conversations shaping the future of the industry. More about SLI: www.spaceleasing.com

🌎 We are proud to highlight that Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure (GSI), one of our #RenewableEnergy subsidiaries based in North America, participated in Ocean Man First Nation’s Annual pow wow last month at Lost Horse Hills, on Ocean Man First Nation land in Saskatchewan, Canada, celebrating the nation’s sovereignty and self-determination for their inherent rights and preserved cultural identity. This invitation was a testament to the strong relationship GSI has fostered with the Ocean Man First Nation community through their commitment to their partnership, the Iyuhána Solar project. 🤝 Under an exclusive PPA, the largest with a utility in #Canada since 2015, the Iyuhàna Solar Project will be a 100 MW solar facility, which will operate and supply generated power to the principal utility company, SaskPower, for 25 years. This project is also one of the top 10 largest contracted solar projects in the country. ☀️ As a founding partner, Ocean Man First Nation has an ownership stake in Iyuhána Solar. Through this #partnership, band members will have access to employment opportunities and receive specialized training to maintain the solar facilities. During their time in Saskatchewan, members of the GSI team toured the future Iyuhána Solar project site with local representatives from the Rural Municipality of Estevan. Wonderful to see the evolution of this novel partnership with #SocialImpact. We look forward to following GSI and Ocean Man First Nation as they continue to collaborate on this project supporting #Indigenous communities while advancing #sustainable energy solutions!

Delighted to have participated in the 14th Concordia Annual Summit in NYC last month, a gathering fostering partnerships that transcend sectors and geographical borders. With the theme of "Navigating a New Era,” this year’s Summit convened 300 speakers from 49 countries and nearly 4,000 attendees to address the unique #challenges and #opportunities of today’s rapidly evolving world including geopolitical fragmentation, socioeconomic shifts, and technological advancements. The #Summit united global leaders from politics, business, academia, and non-profits, sparking insightful discussions spanning #democracy, #sustainability, innovative technologies, human rights, global trade, healthcare, and more. Just some of the many #highlights included: 🔹Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex joining CEO Dr Tessy Ojo CBE of The Diana Award to spotlight young winners of the Diana Legacy Award Christina Williams and Chiara Zhang. 🔹Hosting multiple sitting Heads of State and Government, including: H.E. Luis Abinader, President of the Dominican Republic; H.E. Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana; The Hon. Philip Edward Davis MP KC, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas; H.E. Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark; H.E. Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada; H.E. José Raúl Mulino, President of the Republic of Panama; H.E. Santiago Peña, President of the Republic of Paraguay; and H.E. Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, Prime Minister's Office, Republic of Iraq.   🔹Convening a bipartisan slate of U.S. government officials, including: The Hon. Bill Cassidy, U.S. Senator of Louisiana; The Hon. Chris Coons, U.S. Senator of Delaware; The Hon. Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York; The Hon. Chrissy Houlahan, U.S. Congresswoman of Pennsylvania; and The Hon. Mike Waltz, U.S. Congressman of Florida.   🔹Presenting the 2024 Concordia Leadership Award to Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation, Dr. Albert Bourla, Chairman and CEO of Pfizer, and H.E. Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO. 🔹Announcing London as the 2025 Concordia Europe Summit host city with the Rt Hon Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.    Beyond the stage, impactful conversations among diverse visionaries laid the groundwork for driving change that can shape the future.    Founded by Nicholas Logothetis and Matthew Swift in 2011 with Libra Group as the Founding Sponsor, #Concordia continues to address global challenges through #collaboration and #inclusivity. Today, it is one of 10 philanthropic initiatives of Libra Philanthropies, an independent 501(c)(3) foundation and Libra Group’s sister organization.    #Concordia24

🏆 Excited to share that Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection, owned by Sparta Properties, one of our #RealEstate and #Hospitality subsidiaries, has just been named the #1 Hotel in Greece and one of the top 30 hotels in the world in the 2024 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.   With 575,048 votes cast by readers in Condé Nast Travelers’ 37th annual "Best Hotels in the World" survey, Grace Hotel Santorini is described as a "classic, clinging-to-the-cliffside Aegean" retreat. It features a “minimalist interior that blends modern elegance with artistic details throughout.” Perched on #Santorini’s dramatic coastline, Grace Hotel Santorini offers breathtaking views of the famous Caldera and the #Aegean Sea.   🌅 Managed by Auberge Resorts Collection, the acclaimed hotel has previously been named the second-best hotel in the world by readers of Travel + Leisure in 2022. It is also home of Varoulko Santorini, a fine-dining restaurant led by #Michelin-starred chef Lefteris Lazarou.    Congratulations to the entire Grace Hotel Santorini team on their dedication to curating remarkable guest experiences that blend #Greek culture and natural beauty!   View #CondéNast's 2024 Best Hotels in the World: https://lnkd.in/gPjAnd7 &  Top 10 Hotels in Greece: https://lnkd.in/dG2A-mdK

🏢 Pleased to share that FCA GROUP, S. A. completed its most recent deal to transform one of their existing spaces in Plaza Agora in Panama City, adding a new Smart Fit gym to the property! 🏋️ #SmartFit is a leading Latin American #fitness chain offering affordable, high-quality gym facilities with a scalable, customer-centric #business model. Founded in Brazil, it has rapidly expanded to become one of Latin America's largest gym networks. 🛍️ FCA Group, one of Libra Group’s #RealEstate subsidiaries based in Latin America, owns close to 80,000 square feet of space in Plaza Agora and has invested in the property since 2008. Last year, a Super Xtra supermarket opened at Plaza Agora, marking the debut of Panama's prominent supermarket chain in the Chanis neighborhood, allowing nearby residents to shop at a convenient, leading grocery store. FCA Group's development of Plaza Agora plays a crucial role in the ongoing revitalization of the Chanis neighborhood, further enhancing its influence in #Panama and across #LatinAmerica. Congratulations to FCA Group on this achievement! We look forward to following the continued progress of Plaza Agora!

🚢 We’re excited to share that lomarlabs, the corporate venture lab of Lomar Shipping, one of our #maritime subsidiaries, recently collaborated with Bennu (formerly Blue Dot Change), a Silicon Valley climate tech start-up, to successfully test their cutting-edge methane removal technology. ⚓️ The pilot project took place aboard Lomar’s #bulkcarrier ‘Syros Trader’ in Baltimore, testing the system's ability to destroy methane using a process inspired by natural phenomena in the stratosphere. This technology aims to revolutionize the reduction of #methane, one of the most potent greenhouse gasses, unlike conventional methods that attempt capturing it. To optimize this #technology, the Bennu team tested the effectiveness of the system and collected data that will inform the goal of full-scale production by summer 2025, with a target to remove over 100 megatons of methane annually by 2028. Congratulations to #lomarlabs, #Lomar, and #Bennu on their work that harnesses the power of #deeptech to support a more sustainable future and combat climate change! 🌱 Learn more: https://bit.ly/3TV6IsX #climatetech #methaneremoval #maritimetech

Congratulations to Eric Sherlock, General Counsel at LCI, one of our #aerospace subsidiaries, for being included in this year’s prestigious Airline Economics' “40 Under 40” list! Since he joined the company in 2018, Eric's leadership and legal expertise have been instrumental in driving LCI’s growth and success. At LCI, Eric oversees all operations of the legal team. This includes structuring and negotiating the industry’s first social loans for helicopter leasing. The $70 million loans were facilitated through LCI and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company, Limited's (SMFL) new social loan framework, which received the Japan Credit Rating Agency’s highest rating of Social 1 (F). This vital financial innovation received the Airline Economics ‘Editor’s “Deal of the Year for Innovation” Award’ and is bringing the first ever social loans to the helicopter leasing sector. ✈️ 🌟 Eric joins other members of Libra Group’s ecosystem who have won ’40 under 40’ awards, including Praveen Vetrivel, Chief Financial Officer of Libra Group, who previously held the position of CFO at LCI. We pride ourselves on the social mobility of our Group and recognize the contributions of LCI's team members to the company's growth, which has completed over $10 billion in transactions since 2004 and has a fleet of approximately up to 325 aircraft upon delivery of placed orders. Congratulations, Eric! Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3ZJVv1W

Last week, a delegation from Aria Hotels visited BETA TECHNOLOGIES' facilities in South Burlington, Vermont. This visit follows a first-of-its-kind partnership between #AriaHotels and LCI, one of our #aerospace subsidiaries, to lease 10 net carbon-zero BETA ALIA-250 eVTOLs to allow Aria’s guests to traverse Greece in a greener, faster, and more affordable way. 🍃 The Aria team had an up-close look at the net carbon-zero aircraft, which is: 🚁 Designed to carry 5 passengers and a pilot, or up to 1,400 lbs (635 kgs) of cargo 🌊 Equipped with a maximum range of 250 nautical miles 🔋 Able to recharge in under an hour The BETA ALIA-250 #eVTOL is ideal for transporting tourists between Greece’s mainland, islands, and beyond. As one of the first hospitality companies in the world and the first in #Greece to directly lease eVTOLs, Aria Hotels has also announced a project to construct four vertiport charging stations, with nearly €50 million in investment, to support the aircraft and contribute to the advancement of #ecotourism across Greece. Aria Hotels, one of our #hospitality subsidiaries, is dedicated to delivering authentic Greek hospitality. This visit marks a significant step in Aria’s ongoing commitment to #sustainable and #innovative practices. We’re excited to see how this partnership will shape the future of Aria!

Very proud to share a moving opening keynote address by Libra Group’s Executive Chairman George Logothetis, entitled, "Faith in Faith,” which was delivered during the first morning of the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit in New York City. George reflected on Concordia’s 14-year evolution, starting with an idea conceived by Matthew Swift and Nicholas Logothetis, overcoming many obstacles with perseverance, to become a global convener of today, including gathering nearly 4,000 presidents, prime ministers, academics, students and scholars for this year’s Summit. George noted that even as it grows, Concordia has remained a "fountain of ideas conceived in optimism.” George reflected that Concordia is about the act of giving – of perspective, ideas and community – to others, and that "the path to becoming the best version of oneself is not paved with selfish stones.” George also shared a moving anecdote from his visit in May, along with a delegation from Libra Philanthropies, to ΦΛΟΓΑ (FLOGA), a Greek nonprofit that helps children battling cancer. He expressed his awe of the organization, led by Mrs. Maria, who was in the audience, which was able to foster an atmosphere of deep faith, hope, and joy despite great pain. Describing the commitment of the FLOGA staff, George reflected, "kindness can flourish in the wake of pain, where there is love, leadership, and community.” Drawing upon his own experience as a sick child, he urged the children to "always remember the power within you of a strong mind to overcome a fragile body,” emphasizing, "hope is a state of mind and faith is a state of soul. It is faith that is thus the bedrock, you cannot have hope without first having faith.” George closed by urging the audience to summon the ideas ignited at Concordia, gather perspective and appreciation, and keep "faith in faith,” stating, "for further the arc of humankind’s progress, we do not without striving for ideas and ideals." Libra Group is proud to be the Founding Sponsor of Concordia, a leading convener of the world’s most prominent business, government, and nonprofit leaders, and one of Libra Philanthropies’, an independent foundation previously known as Libra Social Responsibility, 10 philanthropic initiatives. Watch George’s full speech here: https://lnkd.in/ewc-zq8s #Concordia24 #Leadership #Faith