OREANDA-NEWS. September 26, 2007. X5 Retail Group, the largest Russian retailer by sales volume, announced today that according to the Russian Managers’ Association’s annual ratings, three X5 executives were ranked among the group’s “Russia’s 1000 Most Professional Managers” list in the Retail category.

Lev Khasis, X5 Retail Group’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Management Board, was named the best executive in the retail sector.

Vitaly Podolsky, X5’s Chief Financial Officer, was named the best financial director among retail companies.

Yuri Kobaladze, X5’s Managing Director of Corporate Relations, was ranked second on the list of best directors of corporate and public relations.

2007 is the eighth time the ratings have been released. Data is collected by distributing surveys to representatives of the corresponding sectors. Respondents have a broad knowledge of the professional achievements, business reputation and personal qualities of the executives they are evaluating. Reviewers noted that in recent years the management ratings have undergone significant changes. The business community now pays closer attention to indicators such as social responsibility and introducing innovations rather than only emphasizing high levels of capitalization.

“For us, such a high rating from our colleagues and market professionals is a great honor and the highest reward,” Lev Khasis said. “It once again shows that our team of professionals that came together at X5 after Pyaterochka and Perekrestok integrated is fully capable of handling the high degree of complexity and responsibility required to achieve the ambitious goals set before X5.”