OREANDA-NEWS. Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of Rostec State Corporation, announces the appointments of new deputy CEOs: Vadim Ligay, currently CEO of Kazan Helicopters; and Vyacheslav Kozlov, first deputy managing director for economics and finance at Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant. In addition, the company has appointed Vladimir Kudashkin, previously chief of staff at Rostec, as deputy CEO for legal affairs and corporate governance.

The appointments were confirmed by a meeting of the Board of Directors of Russian Helicopters on 12 November.

“In line with its strategy, Russian Helicopters is carrying out extensive modernization of the sector, continuing to expand its product range and increasing deliveries to the domestic and foreign markets,” said Vladimir Artyakov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Russian Helicopters and Deputy CEO of Rostec. “Successful implementation of this strategy requires a strong management team of respected industry professionals with deep practical experience.”

Alexander Mikheev, CEO of Russian Helicopters, said: “Bringing experienced leaders into our senior management team is a core strategic element of Russian Helicopters' personnel policy. Today we are working hard to strengthen our company's leadership on the global market and to take our production to a whole new level.”

As Deputy CEO of Russian Helicopters, Vadim Ligay will oversee core helicopter programmes and innovation projects. He will combine his new duties with his current position as CEO of Kazan Helicopters, a Russian Helicopters company. Vadim Ligay is highly respected in the industry for his depth of experience, having joined Kazan Helicopter Plant in 1976 and worked his way up from construction engineer to CEO. He has received numerous awards during his professional career, and in October 2013 was awarded the Order of Honour by Russia's President Vladimir Putin.

Vyacheslav Kozlov will take charge of Russian Helicopters' finance and economics department, overseeing investment activity and the development of investor relations. Since 2006 he has served as first deputy managing director for economics and finance at Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, a Russian Helicopters company, and will combine this position with his work as deputy CEO of the holding company. From 2004-2006 Vyacheslav Kozlov worked at the Russian Ministry for Economic Development and Trade. He holds an Executive MBA, and has been awarded the Certificate of Honour by the Republic of Buryatia (federal subject of Russia).

Vladimir Kudashkin will oversee the evolution of the company's holding structure, the introduction of modern corporate government standards and increased transparency in the company's business processes, as well as managing legal issues. In June 2013 he was appointed chief of staff at Rostec, before which he headed the legal department for six years and served as a member of the Management Board. From 1998 to 2007 Vladimir Kudashkin worked at Rosvooruzhenie and Rosobornexport, where he served as an adviser to the CEO and headed up the legal team. Vladimir Kudashkin holds a law doctorate, and has been awarded the Order for Military Merit and an official citation from the President of Russia for services to the country.

Russian Helicopters, JSC is a subsidiary of UIC Oboronprom, which in turn is a part of State Corporation Rostec. It is one of the global leaders in helicopter production and the only helicopter design and production powerhouse in Russia. Russian Helicopters is headquartered in Moscow. The company comprises five helicopter production facilities, two design bureaus, a spare parts production and repair facility, as well as an aftersale service branch responsible for maintenance and repair in Russia and all over the world. Its helicopters are popular among Russian ministries and state authorities (Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Emergency Control Ministry), operators (Gazpromavia, UTair), major Russian corporations. Over 8000 helicopters of Soviet/Russian make are operated in 110 countries worldwide. Traditionally the demand is highest in the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Russia, and CIS countries. Russian Helicopters was established in 2007. In 2012 its IFRS revenues increased 21% to RUB 125,7billion. Deliveries reached 290 helicopters.