The development of Human Resources has been a key commitment of the Management since the very first day the Group was established. In this context, and through the implementation of sophisticated selection, training, evaluation, and reward methods, special emphasis is placed on: 

• Covering job positions by means of selection and evaluation systems founded on meritocracy and in line with the needs and requirements of each field of work.
• Providing equal training and career advancement opportunities to all employees.
• Nurturing an environment of constant recognition and reward, on the basis of the principles that govern the Group.

Moreover, the Group’s Human Resources General Division offers assistance for the design, organization and operation of the subsidiaries’ Human Resources Departments in Greece and the countries of New Europe, always respecting the particular features and the culture of each country. To this end, it has created a set of systems, policies and procedures, which is implemented by subsidiary companies in Greece and abroad.

In 2009, the total number of people working with the Group in Greece and abroad stood at 23,578, as compared to 24,497 in 2008. By the end of 2009, 57% of personnel were employed in the wider region of New Europe (Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Poland, Turkey, Ukraine and Cyprus) and 43% were employed in Greece.