Dmitry Osipov will head the company's board

The Uralchem holding decided to change its leader. As Kommersant has learned, Dmitry Osipov, who has held the post of general director for the last four years, will be replaced by the current commercial director of the company, Dmitry Konyaev, and Mr. Osipov himself will be involved in the strategy of Uralchem as chairman of the board and deputy chairman of the board of directors. Analysts say such changes could herald deals that will allow the company to reduce its debt - about $1.4 billion.

As Kommersant has learned, Uralchem has changed its general director. Dmitry Konyaev, who previously held the post of commercial director of the company, took over this position instead of Dmitry Osipov, several sources told Kommersant in the market. Uralchem confirmed this information, clarifying that Mr. Osipov will retain the post of chairman of the board and will also become deputy chairman of the board of directors. The Board of Directors has already approved personnel changes.

Uralchem produces nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers, controls the Kirovo-Chepetsk Chemical Plant (KCHK), Berezniki Azot, Voskresensk Mineral Fertilizers, and has a 10% stake in Togliattiazot. 95.51% of the shares belong to Dmitry Mazepin’s CI-Chemical, the remaining shares belong to the holding’s top managers.

Dmitry Osipov was born in 1966. Graduated from the Faculty of Radiophysics and Cybernetics of Gorky State University. Since the mid-1990s, he has held senior management positions in large chemical companies: OJSC Khimprom (Volgograd), OJSC Propane-Butane Company, OJSC Sibur-Khimprom. From 2005 to 2007 - General Director of OJSC KCCHK (part of Uralchem). Since 2007 - General Director of Uralchem.

Dmitry Konyaev was born in 1971. Graduated from the Faculty of Economics of Moscow State University, California State University Hayward (MBA). Since 1998, he has held senior positions in large manufacturing and trading companies: Cederrot International AB, Mineral Trading LLC, UralKali Trading SA (Singapore). Since 2007 - commercial director of Uralchem.

“Such reshuffles are necessary so that Dmitry Osipov can deal with the company’s strategy. Now all his time is spent on the operational management of the company,” explained Uralchem. Kommersant's source considers the appointment of Mr. Konyaev as head of Uralchem to be logical. “He has been working in the company for a long time and, as a commercial director, is well acquainted with the processes taking place within it,” says Kommersant’s interlocutor. At the same time, both of them note that the main shareholder of Uralchem has always actively participated in the management of the company and this is unlikely to change with the arrival of a new general director.

Managing Director of Gazprombank Marina Alekseenkova is surprised by the changes at Uralchem. She calls Dmitry Osipov “a very experienced manager, one of the best in the chemical market.” At the same time, the appointment of Mr. Konyaev to his position seems natural to her, since he “sees markets well and has extensive sales experience.” In her opinion, Uralchem needs to develop the sales sector, since the company, despite its large debt, has good development potential. Mrs. Alekseenkova believes that a change in top management could be the beginning of some transactions with assets. Anna Kupriyanova from Uralsib agrees with her. She believes that perhaps the owner of Uralchem, Dmitry Mazepin, will look for new solutions to reduce the debt burden after an unsuccessful IPO. Both analysts recall that large-scale changes in Uralkali, which is now merging with Silvinit, also began with the resignation of Vladislav Baumgertner as CEO. Ms. Alekseenkova notes that Uralchem does not have money for purchases, so the most likely deal can be considered a merger of Uralchem with a company of equal size.

Olga Mordyushenko

Uralchem ​​changes its CEO

Uralchem changes its CEO