Achilleas Zapranis earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in 1989, followed by an MSc in Computer Science with Distinction from University College London (UCL) in 1992. His MSc thesis, which focused on forecasting equity returns using neural networks in collaboration with National Westminster Bank (NatWest), was published in the prestigious journal Neural Networks and remains a widely cited reference in the field.
In 1993, he began his doctoral studies at London Business School under the National Computing and Telecommunications Transfer (NCTT) program, funded by the UK Department of Trade and Industry. This prestigious initiative focused on the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in financial markets and was supported by leading institutions such as Barclays-BZW, Citibank International, and Société Générale. As a PhD candidate, he completed all coursework and examination requirements of the London Business School MSc in Finance. His doctoral research concentrated on neural network model identification and tactical asset allocation, developed in collaboration with PosTel Investment Management (now Hermes Investment Management). He was awarded a PhD in Decision Science with Distinction in 1997, and his findings were later published in a monograph by Springer-Verlag.
His research continues to focus on financial engineering and the application of neural networks in finance. He has acted as a consultant for several financial institutions, including the London branch of Peter Ackerman’s Rockport Capital Inc., Société Générale, and ATOS (a subsidiary of Crédit Lyonnais). He has authored five academic monographs, four published by Wiley and Springer-Verlag on weather derivatives, neural model identification, wavelet neural networks, and algorithmic pattern recognition; and one by Kleidarithmos on financial applications of neural networks.
In 1998, he joined the University of Macedonia as a Lecturer and has served as Professor of Finance and Neural Systems in the Department of Accounting and Finance since 2014. Professor Zapranis’ research focuses on financial engineering, neural networks and machine learning applications in forecasting, asset pricing, and risk management.
His recent work examines the transformational impact of blockchain technologies on financial theory and practice. He is currently authoring a monograph on this emerging convergence. He has supervised three doctoral theses and authored over 100 scientific papers, with research published in journals such as IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks, Neural Networks, Neural Computing & Applications, Neurocomputing, Journal of Forecasting, and International Journal of Forecasting. His work has received over 1,300 citations on Google Scholar.
His teaching portfolio spans undergraduate, MSc, MBA, and Executive-level courses in financial engineering, financial risk management, and applied quantitative finance. At the University of Macedonia, he teaches a broad range of subjects, including Advanced Forecasting Techniques, Financial Risk Management, Financial Engineering, and Blockchain Technologies, Cryptocurrencies & Decentralized Finance. He has also delivered MSc-level courses at the Athens University of Economics and Business and at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Professor Zapranis has held several senior leadership roles, including Rector and Vice-Rector for Economic Planning and Development at the University of Macedonia, as well as Chairman of the Research Committee. He has served as a board member of Alexandria Innovation Zone S.A., General Manager and board member of North Hellenic Stock Brokerage S.A., and Director of the Executive MSc in Accounting and Financial Management (a joint program with Lancaster University). He has also played a key role in the design and coordination of several postgraduate programs, including the MScs in Strategic Accounting & Financial Management, Applied Accounting & Auditing, Accounting & Finance, and Financial Technology. He currently serves as Director of the Financial Technology and Strategic Artificial Intelligence (FTSAI) Laboratory and Director of the MSc in Financial Technology program at the University of Macedonia.
He is a frequent contributor to newspapers, magazines, and television programs, providing expert commentary on topics related to higher education, technology, and economic policy.