OREANDA-NEWS. September 10, 2012. Basel Aero, the largest airport operator in the south of Russia and part of Basic Element, one of the Russia's largest diversified industrial groups, has announced the appointment of Leonid Sergeev as CEO.

One of Mr Sergeev's key responsibilities will be the development of a joint venture (JV), established in June 2012 by Basic Element group, Sberbank of Russia and Changi Airports International. The JV will be focused on the implementation of best international practices in airport management, ensuring world class quality standards across all operations, increasing the capitalization of existing assets and the further expansion of the airport asset portfolio.

Among Mr Sergeev's priorities will be establishing a management team, providing high quality services to airlines and passengers, the expansion of non-aviation activities at airports and the preparation of airport infrastructure for the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi. In addition, Mr Sergeev will be focused on reconstruction and modernization projects for Krasnodar, Anapa and Gelendzhik airports.

Biography

Leonid Sergeev joined the Basic Element group in 2008. Between 2008-2010 Mr Sergeev was Head of the Strategic Projects Department of United Company RUSAL and was involved in preparing the company for IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Following the successful IPO, Mr Sergeev became Director of Strategic Projects at En + Group and headed Basel Aero Supply and Handling, one of the fastest growing companies in Russia's aviation refueling industry, and United Oil Group, the oil and petroleum products sales company, which is part of En + Group.

Before joining Basic Element Mr Sergeev worked in the Global Business Development Division of Shell Exploration and Production, Royal Dutch Shell in the Netherlands. Before that Mr Sergeev worked at Uralvneshtorgbank, where he progressed from currency trader to a member of the Board of Directors and Vice President of Strategy and Business Development.

Mr Sergeev holds Master in Business Administration (MBA) from IMD business school, Switzerland. He also holds a Ph.D. in economic sciences from Ural State Technical University.