-Founder transitions from day-to-day leadership after more than four decades, remaining Co-Founder & Managing Partner as the Group accelerates global growth
The Sani/Ikos Group is entering a new chapter of leadership and strategic evolution, with Jean-Marc Bellaiche appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026.
The announcement marks a pivotal milestone for the Group, as its Co-Founder and long-serving CEO steps back from daily executive responsibilities after more than 40 years at the helm of Sani Resort and a decade as CEO and Co-Managing Partner of the Sani/Ikos Group. He will continue to play a central role as Co-Founder & Managing Partner, focusing on long-term strategy, growth and the preservation of the Group’s culture and values.
Founded sixty years ago by three visionary entrepreneurs led by the late Anastasios, Sani began as a bold and unconventional project, challenging the norms of its time in terms of scale, location and concept. From modest beginnings, it evolved into a world-class luxury family destination, laying the foundations for the creation and rapid international success of the Ikos brand.
In 2015, the Sani/Ikos Group was formally established by the two brothers alongside their Co-CEO Mathieu, supported by leading international investors. Over the past decade, the Group has undergone a profound transformation, evolving from a local, family-owned business into one of the most dynamic international players in the luxury beach resort sector.
The growth figures underline this trajectory. Over the last ten years, the Group has expanded its business more than sevenfold, created over 7,000 jobs and built a robust platform for the next phase of development. In 2025, the Sani/Ikos portfolio comprises approximately 3,500 rooms, with plans to reach nearly 6,000 rooms by 2029, positioning the Group as the fastest-growing owner-operator in the global luxury hospitality market.
At the core of this success lies a relentless commitment to exceptional guest satisfaction across both the Sani and Ikos brands—an approach that has consistently set new benchmarks in luxury hospitality and reinforced the Group’s international reputation.
As CEO, Jean-Marc Bellaiche will be tasked with further advancing the Group’s vision, strengthening its executive leadership and unlocking its significant growth potential. At the same time, the two Co-Founders will assume their roles as Managing Partners, overseeing strategic expansion while safeguarding the Group’s distinctive culture, Greek DNA and core values.
With a strong capital base, a mature organizational structure and an ambitious long-term strategy, the Sani/Ikos Group reiterates its commitment to building the world’s most successful luxury beach resort group—now with the confidence and resources to dream even bigger, while remaining firmly rooted in its Greek origins.
The message
The message of Andreas Andreadis is as follows:
After an incredible journey spanning over forty years as Co-Founder and CEO of Sani Resort, alongside my brother Stavros, who has served as Co-Founder and President, and then in the last decade as CEO and Co-Managing Partner of the Sani/Ikos Group, I am excited to announce my transition from day-to-day responsibilities to the role of Co-Founder & Managing Partner. As part of this change, and taking effect from today, January 1, 2026, Jean-Marc Bellaiche will take over as CEO of the Sani/Ikos Group. Sani was established sixty years ago by three visionary entrepreneurs, led by our late father, Anastasios. What began as a seemingly impossible project, given its scale, location, and concept, has flourished against all odds. From modest beginnings, Sani has evolved into an exceptional luxury family destination which has in turn paved the way for the Ikos concept to soar.
In 2015, the Sani/Ikos Group was formed with my brother Stavros and my Co-CEO Mathieu, supported by leading investors. Together, we transformed this remarkable local family business into a prominent international player in the luxury beach resort sector.
Over the past decade, we have grown our business more than sevenfold, created over 7,000 jobs, and positioned ourselves to double our capacity in the next four to five years. The Sani/Ikos Group is now recognized as the fastest-growing owner-operator in our industry, with 3,500 rooms in 2025 and plans to expand to nearly 6,000 rooms by 2029. Our success is rooted in our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional guest satisfaction across both the Sani and Ikos brands. In his new role as CEO, Jean-Marc will further develop our vision, strengthen our management team, and unlock our vast growth potential.
I am deeply grateful to my late father and his partners for their visionary dream, to my brother Stavros and his wife Niki, my cousin Fokion, and my partner Mathieu, whose collaboration has been instrumental to our success. I also want to acknowledge the dedication of our teams and partners, past and present, whose hard work has made the seemingly impossible achievable. Together, we have pursued our common mission with passion and determination. In recent years, working alongside Mathieu, I have thoroughly enjoyed this journey, revolutionizing the luxury hospitality industry. Transforming a local family business into a globally acclaimed, fast-growing group with Greek roots is a remarkable achievement for our country, and I take immense pride in being part of it.
As we transition, both Mathieu and I will shift our roles to Co-Founders and Managing Partners. We will assume overseeing the strategic growth of the business, preserving and enhancing its unique culture, Greek DNA and values, while ensuring that we maintain best-in-class performance and shape the future of our exceptional brands. We remain committed to building the most successful luxury beach resort group and now have the resources to dream even bigger”.
