OREANDA-NEWS. On 17 April 2008 was announced, that the annual nationwide ‘IT Leader’ awards ceremony was held at Forum Hall and a broad spectrum of companies interested in promoting innovative IT solutions attended. All of Russia’s major economic sectors were represented by top managers from the companies’ IT departments.

 X5 Retail Group was named the winner of the Retail nomination by the ‘IT Leader’ award’s expert jury. Teimur Shternlib, the director of X5 Retail Group’s IT department, accepted the award, which is a diamond-shaped crystal with gold trim. The trophy symbolizes fresh ideas, open-mindedness and innovative undertakings.

The main criteria when selecting laureates are rating the innovative actions taken by organizations and IT directors and the value of their IT achievements. The awards also highlight IT managers with exceptional personal and professional qualities, as well as managers that contribute to the development of their companies, the industry and the country on the whole.

The voting process uses an established method that polls experts and the results are audited by independent observer KPMG, the international consulting company.

Teimur Shternlib said, “X5’s victory is this nomination is the result of our teamwork. It is a tribute to our employees’ high level of professionalism, which is, without a doubt, a key competitive advantage for the Company.”

About the ‘IT Leader’ Awards

The annual nationwide ‘IT Leader’ awards rate corporations and their IT directors for their role in developing IT, increasing operational effectiveness and improving living standards in Russia. The awards were launched in 2002 on the initiative of the company KROK, Intelligent Enterprise magazine and the RosBusinessConsulting group of companies. Currently, the Organizational Committee also has representatives from the Russian Association of Managers, Itogi magazine and CIO magazine.