Most recently, Mr. Velikzhanin led a project on conflict resolution between shareholders of one of the major automotive manufacturers in Central Asia. The project team under his leadership developed a crisis response plan to prevent the takeover of control, prepared a negotiation strategy and conducted negotiations to set up the new corporate governance system for the company, taking into account the interests of all shareholders.

Previously, Mr. Velikzhanin led the project on operational restructuring and wind-down of a Russian subsidiary of a global premium alcohol group. The restructuring included an orderly wind-down of the business activities; sale of local stock and termination of the commercial agreements; dismissals of all personnel; and proactive management of the core liabilities. In addition, the project team managed the liquidity based on a 13-week cash flow to prevent cash squeezes during the restructuring phase.

Additionally, Mr. Velikzhanin launched a new management company for distressed commercial real estate assets for the largest bank in Central and Eastern Europe. He was responsible for a full-scope operations oversight of the new company and its assets under management, with a $100 million turnover. He designed and implemented a process of transferring new assets from the bank to be sustainable and smooth.

Prior to joining A&M, Mr. Velikzhanin served as a Team Leader in the Project Management Office and Strategy Departments at UC RUSAL, where he was responsible for developing and coordinating the implementation of the company’s and divisions’ strategies (aluminum, alumina, downstream). Earlier, he worked at McKinsey & Company and specialized in projects in metals and mining and energy sectors.

Mr. Velikzhanin earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of London and a bachelor’s degree in economics from NRU Higher School of Economics. A U.S. national, he is fluent in Russian.