Kolimenakis joins ICEYE after a 15-year career at JPMorgan, most recently serving as a Managing Director in the firm’s UAE office.

ICEYE has appointed Christos Kolimenakis as Chief Executive Officer of ICEYE UAE, marking a strategic step in strengthening the company’s long-term presence in the country and reinforcing cooperation between the European Union and the UAE in the fields of space, defence and advanced technologies.

The appointment reflects ICEYE’s commitment to expanding its local operations and enhancing collaboration with government entities, industry partners and national organisations as the UAE continues its efforts to establish itself as a global hub for the space sector.

Kolimenakis joins ICEYE following a 15-year career at JPMorgan, where he most recently served as Managing Director in the bank’s UAE office. In that role, he led the firm’s Innovation Economy coverage across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), advising high-growth technology companies and building strong relationships across the region’s innovation ecosystem. Having spent much of his career in the Middle East, particularly in the UAE, he brings extensive leadership experience and deep knowledge of the region’s technology and innovation landscape.

As CEO of ICEYE UAE, Kolimenakis will oversee the company’s operations in the country, strengthen strategic partnerships and support its long-term expansion plans. He will also work closely with customers and stakeholders to help advance sovereign space capabilities and contribute to the continued development of the UAE’s space ecosystem.

Commenting on his appointment, Christos Kolimenakis, CEO of ICEYE UAE, said: “The UAE has established itself as one of the world’s most ambitious and forward-looking space nations. I am proud to join ICEYE at such an exciting stage in the company’s journey and to help lead its next phase of growth in the UAE. Our ambition is to expand ICEYE’s local presence while working alongside government, industry and research institutions to strengthen the country’s space ecosystem, support sovereign capabilities and further deepen the strategic partnership between the European Union and the UAE in advanced space technologies.”

Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE, added: “The UAE has been an important partner for ICEYE for many years, and this appointment is an important next step in that relationship. Christos brings senior strategic experience and a deep, first-hand understanding of the UAE and the wider region. With his dedicated local leadership, we are well positioned to deepen our cooperation with government, industry, universities and the broader space ecosystem in the country, and to deliver on the ambitious plans we have for the UAE in the years ahead.”

ICEYE designs, builds, and operates the world’s largest and most advanced SAR satellite constellation, delivering continuous intelligence to governments and customers worldwide, in any weather, day or night. ICEYE-built constellations are available as a fully sovereign capability, free from ITAR restrictions. ICEYE delivers the satellites as part of a complete, secure system that can be launched, deployed, and operational at industry leading speed, including ground segment, comprehensive training, and continuous software updates.