Plakiotakis was born in Athens and studied biochemical engineering at the University of Wales.

He then completed a Master's degree in biochemical engineering at the University of London before completing another master's degree in business administration at City University London.

[1] In October 2007, Plakiotakis was appointed as a Deputy Minister for National Defence.

[2] On 24 November 2015, Vangelis Meimarakis appointed Plakiotakis as a Vice President of New Democracy whilst he considered whether or not to resign.

[3] Later that day, Meimarakis resigned, appointing Plakiotakis as the interim President of the party until the conclusion of the New Democracy leadership election.