Meet the students

Alexandros Vrailas

My name is Alexandros Vrailas, and I come from Athens, Greece. I am currently studying MSc Shipping, Trade and Finance at Bayes Business School. I have had a passion for the shipping world ever since I was a child, having always been fascinated by the commercial and logistic aspects that make this industry one of the most crucial in the global economy. I therefore chose this course, with the aim of learning as many things as possible in order to make this passion my future career.

Anastasios Lekkas

I am Anastasios Lekkas, I hold a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from  Athens University of Economics and Business, and I am a studying MSc Shipping, Trade and Finance at Bayes Business School. Currently, the shipping industry is at a crossroads in that switching to eco-friendly sources of energy has become a social mandate for the viability of the environment. As the most efficient mode of transport for goods, shipping must transform itself into adopting near-zero carbon footprint processes. This challenge, along with the international nature of the industry and the impact it has in the global economy, were my motivations to pursue my career in the shipping industry.

Event: The Maritime Directorate of the UK Department of Transport

This event was a presentation from the Maritime Directorate of the UK Department of Transport (DfT). It was a great opportunity for the students to get an insight into how the DfT operates, how it sets its goals, and how these can be achieved by also looking for younger generations for research and collaboration. The event took place at Bayes Business School on Bunhill Row and was hosted by Dr. Moutzouris and the Costas Grammenos Centre for Shipping, Trade and Finance, along with Mr. Alex Macfarlane on behalf of the Maritime Directorate.

The presentation focused around the structure and objectives established by the Maritime Directorate, including its approach to dealing with ongoing disruptions such as the pandemic and the economic impacts of Brexit. Moreover, the presentation referred to the aims that are undertaken with regards to the long-term decarbonisation of shipping, which is under the umbrella of the Maritime 2050 strategy that was implemented by the DfT. From this, we were able to learn about the Maritime Directorate’s partnership with the Costas Grammenos Centre for Shipping, Trade and Finance at Bayes, and how both provide research opportunities to students. Overall, this presentation was extremely beneficial, as it gave our peers and ourselves a clearer idea on the several paths that we could follow, from a wide range of interesting topics that can be studied and further analysed.

It is always a pleasure for the students, to attend events that link academia and the industry. These events inform the students about current trends in the market and how they should approach them. Many of us have the chance to discuss, exchange opinions and take advice from distinguished individuals that we would have had the chance to meet had it not been for the Centre. Furthermore, this experience can be elevated when there is the opportunity of common projects between students and companies or organisations. Overall, it is a huge privilege to have access to such opportunities, especially in a period where we will make the big step from the academic environment to the professional environment.

What's it like studying MSc Shipping, Trade and Finance at Bayes?

Alexandros Vrailas: So far, my academic year at Bayes has been extremely rewarding. I have benefited a lot from the excellent teaching quality that has been provided from the very first day that we had classes, as it has further consolidated my knowledge of the shipping industry, while further enhancing my curiosity for various shipping-related topics. We have had the chance of meeting several distinguished personalities working in the sector, whose knowledge and expertise are invaluable to our learning, through events organised by the Centre. I have also had the privilege of finding myself in a cohort that has many bright and passionate individuals, all of whom have high ambitions and the will to improve the shipping and energy sectors for the better. Learning and working alongside them in a field that we all happen to enjoy have made these past months an incredible experience, which I will hardly forget.

Anastasios Lekkas: After 6 months of studying in the School, the combination of knowledge and bonding between the classmates and academic staff has exceeded my expectations. The high quality of lectures not only provides the students with the prerequisite knowledge of the subject, but it also provokes questions and motivates them to think outside of the box. Professors and lecturers are knowledgeable professionals, but at the same time, always open and next to the students for guidance and assistance in terms of their career development. This combination, along with the sense of belonging to a family, makes all the difference to me.

Being a Master’s student is a lifetime experience, and each one of us should get the most out of it. Bayes Business School provides all the opportunities for someone to thrive and get the most out of the process, so I am feeling grateful to be part of it.

The university also offers a lot of opportunities through societies, for students who want to engage and have a passion for a subject. I am a member of the Shipping Society, and along with other classmates that are shipping enthusiasts, we make research, discuss current trends in the industry and of course create life-lasting friendships.

Find out more about our master's degrees in Shipping and Energy