Dr Ioannis Kaplanis is a leading economist and policy expert specialising in economic development, innovation and the creative industries. He most recently served as Director General of the Athens Epidaurus Festival, one of Europe’s leading cultural organisations. He holds a PhD and BSc from the London School of Economics and an MSc from the University of Manchester. In the past, he has worked as an Economist for the Mayor of London and the OECD, and served as Director General of the Hellenic Industrial Property Organization in Athens. He has also held academic and research positions at the London School of Economics, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Panteion University and the Athens University of Economics and Business. Dr Kaplanis has extensive experience in policy advice on public governance, economic development, innovation and cultural policies (UK, China, Mexico, Chile, Serbia and Greece).