Petro Nicolaides is a proud Brummie, of Hellenic Cypriot origin. He runs a commercial & financial advisory business. He holds a Masters in Business Administration, which he attained in 1995. Petro’s first “business” was at the age of 14 where he ran a lunch provision business for the Saturday Greek School that he attended. He completed his studies there the previous summer after attaining his O-Level in Modern Greek aged 13 (he actually sat it aged 12).

Soon after, Petro joined the Conservative Party (aged 15) – he is still a member, and a proud member of his local Meriden Constituency Association. Petro has stood in three local elections. In all three, he was the challenger, and whilst not winning, in all three managed to secure significant swings in the Conservative’s favour. This earnt Petro a reputation as a tenacious and focused campaigner. Petro served in various positions within the party, including Constituency Treasurer. One of his most proudest posts that he has held is the position of Secretary of the One Nation Forum (the old outreach wing of the party). This epitomised everything that he felt the Conservative Party represented, a meritocracy that allows everyone, whatever their background, the opportunity to succeed.

Until recently, Petro was often quoted as stating that his most successful achievement in the party was his activity in the 1992 General Election campaign. This is referred to in his piece “It was the Brum what won it”. However, more recently, Petro was one of the senior campaign team which supported the Mayoral Candidates in the West Midlands.

Andy Street was elected as the first Mayor of the West Midlands on the 4th May 2017 (25 years to the day after his own first as an impressive 21yr old candidate). The similarities here is that Andy Street fought a campaign that dared to venture into areas that were not traditionally Tory. They were based on hard work and a fearless energy to talk to everyone. Inclusive politics that looked to serve all. The difference was that Andy Street won his “election that he shouldn’t have won” .  Petro still supports Andy Street in his mission as Mayor, and is proud to be involved as lead on some very special projects.

Petro’s involvement in the community is not limited to politics. He served as Chairman of the West Midlands Greek Cypriot Youth Organisation, representing Britain in various seminars and conferences, including the Conference of Overseas Cypriots on Nicosia. He has served for five years in the early nineties on his local Community Health Council and for 11 years on the Governing body of Bishop Vesey Grammar School in Sutton Coldfield. He also was the founding Secretary of the lobbying group Action for Cyprus, which still exists to serve the peaceful promotion of settlement by of the Cyprus Problem under United Nation guidelines.

More recently, Petro was elected to Board of Governors of the Arden Academy in Knowle. He chairs the BSii subcommittee. He was also elected to the Board of Governors of Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, a role that he cherishes immensely.

The ROH is personal to Petro as he has had some very serious health issues since 2009. He feels grateful to the ROH for giving him “his life back”. He is a keen supporter of their very specialist work and their very specific role within the NHS.

Petro is a very opinionated person, but his opinion is formed by listening extensively to others, especially those of opposing views. You will see much of those opinions on these pages. He believes in opportunity for all. He believes in a society of aspiration, the party of “the ladder”, the Conservative Party.