Jack Bardakjian

Biography

Jack Bardakjian is Group Managing Director of Gapuma Group Limited, a UK-headquartered international trading and distribution company he has led since its inception in 1999. Under his leadership, Gapuma has grown into a multi-jurisdictional group trading and distributing various chemicals including solvents, polymers, fertilisers, biofuels, and ethanol amongst others, to industries ranging from oil and gas to mining and coatings. The group operates across Africa, where it has strategic logistics hubs and bulk liquid facilities, and has offices in Latin America, Switzerland, India, China, and Singapore, while its interests extend to agricultural infrastructure through a grain silo business in Serbia.

With over twenty-five years at the helm of a cross-border trading business, Jack brings deep expertise in emerging-market commerce, structured trade finance, FX risk management, and complex multi-jurisdictional transactions. He has overseen strategic acquisitions and partnerships across West Africa and is a strong advocate for the application of artificial intelligence in trading operations, having championed AI-driven approaches to currency hedging, market analysis, and organisational efficiency within the group.

Beyond Gapuma, Jack is a founding figure behind the British Armenian Chamber of Commerce, an initiative dedicated to strengthening trade and investment links between the United Kingdom and Armenia. His work with the Chamber includes developing market-entry strategies for Armenian exporters into the UK, alongside building the organisation’s governance, programming, and media presence. He also serves as a Director of the British Serbian Chamber of Commerce, supporting bilateral trade between the UK and Serbia, and is actively involved in the work of the Outward Bound Trust, which helps young people develop confidence and resilience through outdoor adventure and learning.

Outside of business, Jack is a committed endurance athlete with a passion for distance running and expedition travel, including Arctic exploration.