VimpelCom has named Mikhail Slobodin as the new CEO of its Russia unit.
Slobodin replaces Anton Kudryashov, who has been promoted to the Amsterdam-based telco’s group executive board as chief group business development and portfolio…
VimpelCom has named Mikhail Slobodin as the new CEO of its Russia unit.
Slobodin replaces Anton Kudryashov, who has been promoted to the Amsterdam-based telco’s group executive board as chief group business development and portfolio officer.
Slobodin’s new role is effective immediately and Kudryashov is set to start his on 14 October 2013, the company announced today.
Previously, Slobodin was an executive VP of strategy and new business development for the TNK-BP oil company which, until March, had billionaire Mikhail Fridman as a common shareholder with VimpelCom. Fridman holds 56.2% of the economic rights in VimpelCom via holding company Altimo.
Between 2003 and 2011, Slobodin held senior roles with Russian companies in the oil and gas sectors, including as president of Russian Utility Systems, and general director and president of Integrated Energy Systems.
VimpelCom CEO Jo Lunder described Slobodin as “an accomplished and recognised leader with many significant achievements in his career”.
In his new role, Kudryashov will be responsible for business development, M&A and strategic business control.
Commenting on Kudryashov’s appointment, Lunder said: “Under his strong leadership, our business in Russia has reversed the negative trends of the previous years and has significantly strengthened its market position …”
VimpelCom says it had 215 million subscribers as of 30 June 2013. The telco operates in Russia, Italy, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Algeria, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Burundi, Zimbabwe, Central African Republic and Canada.
