Mr. George Mergos is Professor of Economics, University of Athens. He studied Economics at the University of Athens. He has his M.Sc. from Oxford University, UK and his Ph.D. from Stanford University, USA in Applied Economics. Before joining the University of Athens in 1986, he was a Researcher-Economist with the World Bank (1983-1986). He has served as Secretary General of the Ministry of Economy & Finance (2004-2007), Governor of the Foundation of Social Security (IKA) the largest Social Security Organization in Greece (2007-2009). He has also served as Chairman of the Management Board of the Pension Reserve Fund of the Council of Europe (5/2009-5/2012). He has, also, served as Board member of Alpha Bank (2009-2010) and of listed companies.

He has collaborated with IOBE on industrial and economic analysis (1990-1996), and has consulted with various international organizations and the European Commission (DG External Relations) on development assistance as member or leader in numerous consulting missions in many countries (China, India, other South Asia countries, Egypt), all countries of former Eastern Europe and several countries of the former Soviet Union) (1986-2000).