Tasoula Hadjitofi is a Cypriot-born entrepreneur and the founder of the

Octagon Group of companies. Amongst them is Octagon Professionals

International, a leading talent and HR solutions firm based in the Netherlands,

with operations in Germany, France, Italy and the UK. With over three

decades of experience, she has built a trusted partner to global institutions

such as the European Space Agency, NATO, Shell International, Huawei,

Chyoda etc, providing high-calibre expertise across sectors like IT, space

technology, and engineering. Shaped by her professional roots in both the

Netherlands and the United Kingdom, she has become a recognized authority

on workforce development, international collaboration, and the future of work.

While many in Cyprus know her for her cultural activism—most notably her

efforts in recovering millions in looted religious artifacts—Tasoula has always

operated from the perspective of a business leader. Her activism did not

diverge from her career path; it was a reflection of the same core values that

drive her company: integrity, persistence, and strategic action. When she led

one of Europe’s most significant art trafficking operations or served as Cyprus’

youngest and first female Honorary Consul in the Netherlands, she did so

through the lens of an entrepreneur who understands how to mobilize

networks, manage risk, and lead under pressure.

Today, those same principles guide Octagon Professionals into a new era.

With clients that shape industries and policies on a global scale, Tasoula

leads her company with the same resolve she brought to cultural diplomacy—

transforming it into a platform for ethical, forward-looking talent mobility. Her

work exemplifies how entrepreneurial leadership can serve both commercial

ambition and a broader social mission, bridging borders while staying rooted

in values.