OREANDA-NEWS. April 26, 2011. Basic Element Company announces appointment of Victoria Petrova as Deputy Chief Executive Officer. In this role she will be in charge of human resources management and social development programs at the enterprises of the Group.

Ekaterina Nikitina, who was heading HR department of Basic Element, becomes Director of Human Resources of United Company RUSAL.

Victoria Petrova graduated with honours from the Medical Department of the Peoples' Friendship University in Moscow, and in 2000 she graduated from the State Academy for Advanced Training of Investment Specialists (GASIS). Ms. Petrova has also obtained advanced training through HR management courses in Management Centre Europe (Belgium, 2000) and at INSEAD (France, 2003).

Prior to joining Basic Element Company, Victoria Petrova worked as HR Director of the United Company RUSAL since the Company was formed. Since 2001, Victoria Petrova worked as head of RUSAL's HR Directorate. During the five years prior to joining RUSAL, she worked as HR manager and sales efficiency manager for Bristol-Myers Squibb. From 1991 to 1996, she held various senior positions in the Russian headquarters of leading American companies, such as Halliburton and Belcom.