OREANDA-NEWS. Vladimir Yakushev was appointed as CEO of the Northern Capital Gateway Consortium (NCGC), the operator of Pulkovo Airport. He will replace Sergei Furs, acting head of the NCGC since February 2016.

Mr. Yakushev will focus on further developing the airport as a major transportation hub in the Northwestern Federal District and enhancing the company’s operational efficiency in line with the long-term strategy.

Yuri Soloviev, First Deputy President and Chairman of VTB Bank Management Board said: “In 2015, Pulkovo’s financial performance demonstrated improvement, the first stage of the reconstruction and development project was completed, and new routes were introduced. One of the factors contributing to the progress was the implementation of the operational efficiency improvement program, and we are confident that Vladimir Yakushev’s extensive experience in this area will strengthen Pulkovo’s position as one of Russia’s major transportation hubs.”

Vladimir Yakushev has over 20 years of experience in financial consulting and investment business. Previously he has overseen projects to enhance companies’ business efficiency and was the co-founder of S-Group Capital Management, a direct and venture investment fund managing over $1 billion worth of assets. Prior to that, Mr. Yakushev was the COO of Severstal Resurs, where he implemented a new operational model and secured the company’s position as efficiency leader in its segment.

Mr. Yakushev holds an honors master’s degree from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and an MBA from the international business school INSEAD.