OREANDA-NEWS. On July 07, 2008 the newly elected Board of Directors of OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel (“Norilsk Nickel”, “the Company”) had its first meeting, reported the press-centre of Norilsk Nickel. 

The Board of Directors elected Vladimir Potanin, President of CJSC Interros Holding Company ("Interros"), as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and appointed Mr. Sergey Batekhin, Deputy General Director of Interros, as General Director (CEO) of the Company. Mr. Batekhin will assume his responsibilities as General Director on July 21, 2008.  Mr. Batekhin replaces Mr. Denis Morozov, who had been General Director of the Company since April 3, 2007.

Mr. Morozov said: "I requested the new Board to reconfirm my authority as CEO since my continued ability to lead the Company at the time of competing interests of major shareholders required the full support and cooperation of the entire Board of Directors. I began my professional life here 10 years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed participating in the development of one of Russia’s leading public corporations as it became an important player in the global mining and metals industry. The primary goals set a year and a half ago when I was appointed General Director have been achieved. I would like to thank all my colleagues who have been supporting me during these years and who helped Norilsk Nickel to prosper in the interests of all its shareholders."

For Editors:
Mr. Sergey Batekhin was born in 1965.

In 1987 graduated from the Krasnoznamenny Military Institute of the USSR Ministry of Defense and in 1998 from the Plekhanov Russian Academy of Economics (specialized in finance and credit). Holds an MBA degree. PhD in economics.

Started his career at the State Committee for Labor and Social Issues of the USSR, and then worked for the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

From 1990 to 1992 worked at the Permanent Delegation of the USSR to UNESCO (France).

Since 1992 held executive positions in the Russian Industrial and Investment Fund and at "Deloitte & Touche" international auditing company.

Since 1995 held different managerial positions, including those of Director General, at the "Defense systems" company. In 2000 Mr. Batekhin was appointed executive secretary of the "Defense systems" intergovernmental financial and industrial group (Russia-Belarus).

Since February 2005 – Deputy Director General of the "Interros" Company. Member of the Board of Directors of Plug Power.  

Laureate of the Government of the Russian Federation Award in the Field of Science and Technology. In 1999 awarded the Order of Friendship. In 2003 decorated with the Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh (Third Degree) of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Fluent in French, German, English and Italian.

Married, one son.

Mr. Batekhin does not own any shares or options to acquire shares of Norilsk Nickel and its subsidiaries.