In this edition of Power of Men, we meet the CEO of Luxaviation UK, one of Europe’s leading private aviation businesses, whose journey began not in the boardroom, but as a young man arriving in the UK from Athens with a dream and a willingness to take risks.

What makes George’s story particularly inspiring is not just the success he has achieved, but the challenges he has overcome along the way. Living with ADHD, George struggled with concentration from a young age and often had to find alternative ways to learn, work and succeed. Rather than allowing those challenges to define him, he learned how to harness his strengths, adapt his approach and build a business that now operates on an international scale.

His story is a powerful reminder that success does not always come from fitting into traditional expectations. Sometimes it comes from thinking differently, embracing your individuality and refusing to give up when others might.

In this honest and insightful interview, George shares his journey from commercial pilot to CEO, his experiences of living with ADHD, and the lessons he has learned about resilience, leadership and success along the way.

1. For readers who may not know your story, can you tell us about your journey from aviation professional to building one of the UK’s leading private aviation businesses? 

I came to the UK when I was 20 years old to study computer science, but along the way I decided to change career direction and become a commercial pilot. I initially worked as a flying instructor before training to fly private jets from Stansted Airport.Having no business experience and struggling even to put together a basic business plan, starting my own company was a huge challenge. I was introduced to Patrick Margetson-Rushmore, a City professional who was learning to fly, and we teamed up to start London Executive Aviation as a private jet charter and management business.I needed £70,000 to launch the business, which I didn’t have, and so I managed to raise the money by remortgaging my London flat. It took years of hard work and sleepless nights to build the company into what is now one of the largest and most respected business aviation companies in Europe.

In 2015, we sold a majority shareholding to Luxaviation Group, changing our name to Luxaviation UK, and to this day I remain CEO of the company.

2. At what point did you become aware of your ADHD, and how has it influenced your life and business journey?

Growing up in Athens, I was always the mischievous kid at school who could never concentrate long enough to do any work. However, ADHD wasn’t widely recognised in those days.After coming to the UK, I scraped through two years of college and later completed the theory exams for my commercial pilot’s licence. I think having a good memory and relying on logic rather than traditional study methods helped compensate for my inability to sit down and read for long periods. To this day, unfortunately, I have never managed to read an entire book.

Throughout my business career, I found it difficult to read lengthy documents. Often, I would ask my business partner to review contracts and then brief me on the key points. I had to be resourceful and find ways to cope, adapting my working style to play to my strengths whilst managing the challenges that came with ADHD.

In my personal life, I often drive my family and friends mad! I don’t like sitting around doing very little. Weekends and holidays must be active - lying on the beach all day is not my idea of fun. I have been fortunate enough to visit some incredible places around the world, from spending time with the mountain gorillas in Africa to spending a week in Antarctica and trekking to Everest Base Camp. Adventure and exploration are my true passion… and my business, of course!

3. Do you think there is still a stigma around ADHD in business, particularly for men in leadership positions?

There certainly used to be a stigma associated with ADHD. However, in recent years there has been much greater awareness of the condition and a better understanding of how common it is. Millions of people live with ADHD, many of whom remain undiagnosed.

People increasingly recognise that ADHD can bring certain strengths, such as the ability to think creatively, adapt quickly, multitask, and work with high levels of energy and focus when engaged in something they are passionate about.It can be particularly challenging during childhood and the teenage years, but as you get older you often learn strategies to manage it and use it to your advantage. Both of my sons were diagnosed with ADHD at a young age and medication helped them through school, although it is not the right solution for everyone. One scraped through school and later dropped out of university, but is now doing very well as an estate agent. The other is still at school and thriving academically, continuing to use medication to support his learning. As you get older, you learn how to channel that energy and determination more effectively.

4. Looking back on your career, what do you believe has been the biggest factor behind your success?

ADHD has certainly been a significant factor in my success. I’m adaptable, resilient, persistent, and setbacks do not keep me down for long. I have never been someone who gives up easily. My ability to multitask and desire to get things done quickly have helped. I also credit the incredibly successful people I have met through my work, as they continue to inspire me to improve and achieve more every day. I have been in this industry for 35 years, and still genuinely enjoy going to the office, travelling, meeting people, and closing deals.

5. You’ve built a highly successful business. What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners?

To succeed, you must genuinely love what you do. You also need to be prepared to work long hours and make sacrifices, as running your own business is rarely a nine-to-five job.

Always be honest and deliver on your promises. Your reputation is the most valuable asset any business can have.

Finally, find a business partner who complements your strengths and weaknesses. No one person possesses every quality needed to succeed, and having the right people around you can make all the difference.

Power of Men Magazine Announces Partnership with Luxaviation UK

Power of Men Magazine is proud to announce its partnership with Luxaviation UK, one of Europe’s leading private aviation companies.

As part of this exciting collaboration, Power of Men Magazine will now be available on board Luxaviation UK’s fleet of private aircraft, helping to bring important conversations around men’s mental health to business leaders, entrepreneurs and travellers across the UK and beyond.

We are delighted to be working with Luxaviation UK and CEO George Galanopoulos, whose support for improving men’s mental health reflects our shared belief in the importance of wellbeing, resilience and leadership.

To find out more about Luxaviation UK, visit www.luxaviation.com/luxaviation-united-kingdomInstagram: @luxaviationukWe look forward to working together to ensure that even more people have access to the free tools, resources and inspiring stories that Power of Men Magazine provides.