OREANDA-NEWS.  October 05, 2012. Alfa-Bank has announced new appointments to its top-management team: Mr. Robert Karreman is appointed to the position of Chief Risk Officer of Alfa-Bank, reported the press-centre of Alfa-Bank.

Mr. Michael Lawrence is appointed to the position of Head of Treasury of Alfa-Bank.

As Chief Risk Officer Robert Karreman’s main goals will be leading and managing the risk management team, developing and attracting a team of strong risk professionals, ensuring the further develop of corporate governance standards so as to meet Basel 2 and current market requirements, participating in the implementation of Basel 2, and contributing to the further development of Alfa-Bank in accordance with the Strategic Plan, while becoming a partner for the business leaders.

As his first mission Michael Lawrence, jointly with the existing team, will analyze current treasury practice at Alfa-Bank and will work on implementing world best standards at Alfa-Bank’s Treasury. Mr. Lawrence’s main goals will include driving more efficient use of capital by enabling the Bank to better understand the real costs/benefits of its products and services, and bringing the Bank’s liquidity measures in line with the latest Basel recommendations, enabling better investor appreciation of the Bank’s solid foundations.

Commenting on the new appointments, the CEO of Alfa-Bank Alexey Marey says: "From its inception Alfa-Bank has been strongly committed to implementing world best quality standards in its risk management and treasury practices. We are very pleased that these efforts resulted in Fitch Ratings assigning an investment grade rating to Alfa-Bank — the only investment grade rating granted by Fitch to a private bank in Russia. I’m certain that the highest level of professionalism and unique international experience of Robert and Michael will make an important contribution to further development of best world practices of risk management and treasury at Alfa-Bank.

On behalf of the shareholders and the management team, I wish Robert and Michael the best of success and further professional growth at Alfa-Bank".

Speaking about his new appointment Robert Karreman says: "Following the exploratory phase, when I’d like to meet as many stakeholders as I reasonably can, I will work towards further developing the right operating model and framework to identify, decide, monitor, manage, and report risk and contribute to realizing the ambitions of Alfa-Bank".

Speaking about his appointment Michael Lawrence says: "I enjoyed my previous time at MNB/VTBE and wanted a change from the Middle East, where I was working. Alfa-Bank has a good reputation and excellent prospects for improving its market share and relative profitability."

Prior to joining Alfa-Bank Robert Karreman held the position of Head of Credit Risk Management at RBC Investor Services, Luxembourg after a career of over 20 years with ABN AMRO / RBS in various positions both in front office and risk management roles and in various locations around Europe, lastly as Chief Risk Officer and Board Member of RBS Romania.
Mr. Karreman graduated from the Nautical Academy of Rotterdam in 1986 and graduated from the Erasmus University, Rotterdam with a degree in business law in 1994.

Michael Lawrence has significant and wide-ranging leadership experience of Balance Sheet Management, Treasury, Investment Banking, Capital Markets, Financial Institutions and commodities teams, with experience gained within US, British, Asian, Middle East and European/CEE banks/securities firms around the world. He has run syndicate at UBS, Lloyds and other leading banks, was Deputy Global Head of Treasury at Moscow Narodny Bank/VTB Europe and most recently Head of Balance Sheet Management at Riyad Bank. Mr. Lawrence graduated from Bristol University with a degree in physics in 1978.