Kompaniya (Moscow) - March 12, 2007

In late February, the Grand Kremlin Palace hosted the international Person of the Year Awards ceremony, held for the sixth time this year with an annex of "2006." Abiding by the established principles, the event's masterminds and organizers (the RBC group of companies), commanding the opinion of the independent expert council, acknowledged the most active and outstanding figures who have rendered the country distinguished services in the political, economic, business, cultural and public arenas.

"Efficiency and achievement - these are the main parameters that govern the selection of candidates for the Person of the Year award," RBC's General Director Yury Rovensky said. "The trophies were eventually awarded to the candidates from among government officials, businessmen and public figures best positioned to meet the criteria."

The awards ceremony meant to praise the best of the best in 2006 marked the conclusion of a twelve-month super marathon. The highest award - strictly in line with his position - went to First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. According to the expert council, no one could match the energy of his efforts to implement national projects. For his enthusiasm, Medvedev received the title of the Person of the Year for Politics. Equally distinguished were his colleagues from various government agencies.

Agriculture Minster Alexei Gordeyev was recognized as the best "government executive," and he went on to specify that the high esteem of his achievement in developing the agriculture that has attracted young specialists to land farming was to be credited to "a trend in public opinion rather than to top-ranking officials." Kaliningrad Governor Georgy Boos was honored as the No. 1 Regional Leader and was considered the best at developing a special economic zone - an enclave, thus making it an even more challenging task. Chelyabinsk Mayor Mikhail Yurevich was the most efficient head of a million-plus metropolis.

Next, political laureates gave place to winners in business-related categories. The effort by RAO UES head Anatoly Chubais to shape the necessary environment for industry reforms and build a competitive energy market gave him the title of the Businessman of the Year. Similarly, projects aimed at attracting loans and investment to the Russian economy made chairman of VTB Bank's management board Andrei Kostin the Banker of the Year, while President of the Moscow Interbank Currency Exchange Alexander Potyomkin was declared the best manager.

The Top Manager of the Year pointed out that his award did not praise him alone, but Micex as a whole, which evolved into one of the world's largest stock exchanges in the wake of robust growth on the Russian market.

Notably, he was not the only winner to regard his personal success as a credit to his whole team. Chairman of the board of directors of the Euroset cellular phone retail chain Yevgeny Chichvarkin shared his trophy with nearly 37,000 of his loyal employees. The eccentric businessman was distinguished with a Grand Prix for his successful business expansion. The remaining Grand Prix awards were presented to President of Russian Railways Vladimir Yakunin, who seeks to reshape the industry and boost the economic efficiency of rail transport services, Ramzan Kadyrov, who maintains peace in the Republic of Chechnya and reinforces its economy, and finally, General Director of Aeroflot - Russian Airlines Valery Okulov, striving to breathe new life into the well-known slogan "Fly Aeroflot planes!"

Artistic Director of the Taganka Theatre Yury Lyubimov and Chairman of the Union of Cinematographers of Russia Nikita Mikhalkov were lauded as Persons of the Year for Culture. President of ProfMedia Alexander Varin was awarded for his achievement in the sphere of mass media.

In line with the award's international status, one of the prizes went to a foreign specialist - head coach of the Russian women's volleyball team Giovanni Caprara. Under his guidance, our girls were able to win the latest championship. And if we continue to speak of the fairer sex, we can't help but mention the general director of Maks insurance companies. Selected for her accomplishments in the insurance business, she proved the only lady to be awarded the Person of the Year prize.

The elite of the Russian business community, people of the arts and public figures all gathered to congratulate the winners. VIP guest lists included chairman of the board of directors of Wimm-Bill-Dann David Yakobashvili, former head of the Bank of Russia and chairman of Yukos's board of directors Viktor Gerashchenko, Rostik Group head Rostislav Ordovsky-Tanayevsky-Blanko, head of the Russian Football Union Vitaly Mutko, singer Iosif Kobzon, and many others.

Keeping with tradition, all Persons of the Year received honorary diplomas and golden decorations, while Grand Prix winners were granted the Slava Otechestva Order.

"Every year, the Person of the Year awards have been trying to distinguish more and more people who have acted as leaders in their respective areas for a long period of time - in public administration, business, arts, sports and other areas," head of the Presidential Expert Department Arkady Dvorkovich said while wrapping up the ceremony. "They are professionals who have proven that they can take the lead, they have the talent, they can keep up with the cutting-edge achievements, and they are ready to face competition."