For five years in a row, RBC has been paying tribute to Russia's best professionals. The philosophy behind the international Person of the Year award is simple: whatever the sphere, be it business, state government, education, or art - the prize should find its winners.

Top Russian business executives, political and public figures, and state officials gathered for the 2005 Person of the Year award ceremony in the Patriarch's Chambers in the Moscow Kremlin. Russia's Person of the Year award celebrates the nation's best achievers, announcing the names of those who have become symbolic of the positive trends in the country's development, and spurring initiatives for Russia's benefit.

"When we first launched the project, the idea was to bring together businessmen and government officials," remembers RBC's General Director Yury Rovensky. "We wanted to help them do away with misunderstandings and appreciate their real contributions to the economy, the state, and the life of our society at large".

The award has received wide public acclaim and the authorities' approval (which is evidenced by the choice of venue for the ceremony). The award's aim is to stimulate the most progressive trends in the development of the country and assist in bringing together society, business and the state, as well as to contribute to Russia's integration into the global information and economic community, and the authorities seem to have gladly embraced such a cause.

The award, with RBC as its founder, has only existed for five years. "It has already positioned itself as a reputable and prestigious award," Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Dmitry Mezentsev said. The project's success also lies in the fact that the award has now stepped across national boundaries, having attained international status. Citizens of other countries can now contend for this prize - it is not the passport that matters with the Expert Council, but the person's actual contribution to the country's benefit. Two foreigners were among the award winners this year: General Manager of Auchan Russia Patrick Longuet (in the "Entrepreneur of the Year" category), and President and CEO of TNK-BP Robert Dudley (in the special "Foreign Top Manager in Russia" category). Robert Dudley was awarded "for adapting advanced international experience to Russian business environment". According to him, "when our company emerged a few years ago, nobody could say what might come out of it. And now we are showing excellent results in the industry." Patrick Longuet also promised that his company would "keep boosting Russians' purchasing power" beyond the Russian capital's city limits, as Auchan supermarkets will open in Russian regions this year.