George Syrimis (15[citation needed] October 1921 – 5 January 2010) was a Cypriot accountant, who served as the Finance Minister of Cyprus from 1988 to 1993. Syrimis was also the founder of the accounting firm, G. Syrimis & Co., which eventually evolved into KPMG Cyprus (a Big Four).[1]

George Syrimis
Γιώργος Συρίμης
Cypriot Minister of Finance
In office
28 February 1988 – 27 February 1993
Preceded byChristos Mavrellis
Succeeded byFedros Economides
Personal details
Born(1921-10-15)15 October 1921[citation needed]
Nicosia, Cyprus
Died5 January 2010(2010-01-05) (aged 88)
ProfessionAccountant, politician

Early life

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Syrimis was born in Nicosia, Cyprus. However, his family was originally from Agros, a village in the island's southern Pitsilia region. Syrimis studied accounting in England, where he became a chartered certified accountant. Then president George Vassiliou appointed Syrimis as the country's Finance Minister in 1988. He continued to serve as finance minister within the Vassiliou government until 1993.[2]

KPMG Cyprus

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He returned to his native Cyprus from the UK in 1948. Syrimis founded his own accounting firm, G. Syrimis & Co. His firm later became part of Peat Marwick, which, in turn, was merged to become KPMG International in 1987. In 1961, Syrimis became a founding member of the Association of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus (ICPAC), later serving as chair of the professional organization.[3]

Philanthropy

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Syrimis was heavily involved in Cypriot charities and philanthropic organizations. An art collector, he sold his pieces to benefit local organizations, including the Cypriot National Guard. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Nicosia, the oldest rotary club in Cyprus.[4]

Death

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Syrimis died on 5 January 2010, at the age of 88. He was survived by four children – Olympia Stylianou, the director general of the Cypriot Ministry of Education; Nicos Syrimis, the chairman of the Association of Certified Public Accounts of Cyprus since June 2009; Michalis Syrimis and Marios Syrimis.[5]

Preceded by Finance Minister of Cyprus
1988–1993
Succeeded by

References

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  1. ^ "Investment and Taxation: Cyprus - George N. Syrimis". Google Books. Touche Ross International. 1980. ISBN 9780946653706. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
  2. ^ "Former Finance Minister, Cyprus KPMG founder Syrimis dies". Financial Mirror. 2010-01-07. Archived from the original on 2011-06-05. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
  3. ^ "Former Finance Minister George Syrimis dies". Cyprus-Mail.com. 2010-01-07. Archived from the original on 2013-01-20. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
  4. ^ "Rotary Club: Nicosia, Cyprus - Director George N. Syrimis" (PDF). Rotary-Cyprus.org. 1967. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
  5. ^ "Former Finance Minister, Cyprus KPMG founder Syrimis dies. - Free Online Library".