Former Finance Minister, Cyprus KPMG founder Syrimis dies

George Syrimis, former Cyprus Finance Minister and founder of the accounting firm that eventually became KPMG Cyprus, died on Tuesday. He was 88.
Syrimis was born in Nicosia, but his family came from Agros in the Pitsillia area, He studied economic in England where he became a certified accountant and returned to Cyprus in 1948, starting his own accountancy firm, G. Syrimis & Co. This firm was later incorporated in the Peat Marwick worldwide network that eventually evolved into KPMG International in 1987.
Syrimis was a founding member of the Association of Certified Public Accounts of Cyprus (ICPAC) in 1961, a professional body which he chaired in its earlier years. His professional experience also earned him the privilege of being appointed Finance Minister in George Vassiliou’s administration from 1988 to 1993.
Syrimis was active in community service and was also president of the Rotary Club of Nicosia, the oldest club on the island. In his spare time he took up painting and often sold his art to benefit local charities, including the National Guard.
He is succeeded by four children – Nicos (who took over as Chairman of the Association of Certified Public Accounts of Cyprus in June), Olympia Stylianou (Director General of the Ministry of Education), Michalis and Marios.