Executive Management

ILYAS KULDZHANOV

Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Kuldzhanov is responsible for the strategic leadership and performance of the Group, globally, as a sustainable company focused on energy solutions considering the current market challenges.

His expertise, built over a decade in oil and gas industry, was gathered on various management positions in the Kazakhstan National Welfare Fund - Samruk-Kazyna, KazMunayGas, Petroleum Operating, and Citigroup. During 2013 and 2014, he was the Advisor of the General Manager of KMG International, being familiar both with the activities and operations of the Group, but also with the particularities of the industry in Romania and in the region.

Ilyas Kuldzhanov graduated from the Omsk State University majoring in International Economics, Moscow State University for International Relations majoring in International Economic Relations, Kazakhstan-British Technical University - majoring in Petroleum Engineering and he is currently studying for a Ph.D. degree in the same field at the Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.

CLAUDIU MIHAI CONTANU

Chief Officer Trading & Supply Chain

Mr. Contanu is responsible for operational planning, as well as defining the business strategy for the Trading, Supply Chain and Logistics activities, in line with the objectives set in the KMG International Group strategy.

He joined the Group in 2007 as the Planning and Performance Management Director within the Trading Business Unit in Switzerland, continuing in 2010 this activity at Group level. In 2012, Mr. Contanu was appointed as Managing Director, Supply Chain, implementing the supply chain and logistics strategy by ensuring effective distribution of products to the final consumer. In 2015, Mr. Contanu held the position of the Managing Director for Trading, providing raw materials to the three production units of the Group, Petromidia and Vega refineries and petrochemical division and also the sale of final products. Between December 2016 and July 2018, Mr. Contanu was appointed as Chief Officer Trading within our Group.

Prior to joining our team, Mr. Contanu held various jobs in finance within multinational companies. He graduated in 2002 the Faculty of Finance, Insurance, Bank and Stock Exchange within the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest and holds a Master’s Degree in Financial Management and Financial Markets, from the same institution. Between 2004-2006, he attended the Romanian-Canadian MBA obtaining a diploma in Finance.

CĂTĂLIN DUMITRU

Chief Officer Retail & Marketing

Mr. Cătălin Dumitru defines and implements the business strategy for Retail and Marketing activities in line with the Group’s strategy.

With over 25 years of professional experience, Mr. Dumitru joined the company in 2002 as Chief Financial Officer, responsible for organizing and coordinating the financial activity of two of the Group’s companies. On account of his managerial skills, Mr. Dumitru was appointed as the Deputy General Manager of Dyneff Group between 2006 – 2008 and in 2008 as the CEO of Dyneff Group, where he successfully coordinated the storage, trading and distribution of oil products for customers and partners of KMG International in Western Europe. Mr. Dumitru was appointed in 2014 as Vice President, coordinating all operational activities of the KMG International Group, after which the position of the Chief Trading Officer followed.

ISKANDER ABDIBAITOV

Chief Officer Corporate Development

Mr. Iskander Abdibaitov ensures the management of the Corporate Development Block, including Public Relations and Internal Communications functions, in accordance with the Group's long term strategy.

Previously, Mr. Abdibaitov held the position of Director of Oil and Gas Division at JSC National Welfare Fund “Samruk-Kazyna”, where he was in charge of coordinating the development of the “National Company “KazMunayGas” from shareholder’s perspective, implementing measures towards increasing the shareholder’s value, ensuring alignment of “KazMunayGas” strategic goals with the shareholder’s expectations, as well as coordinating M&A projects related to KMG assets.

Prior to this position, Mr. Abdibaitov had held several management positions within “National Company “KazMunayGas”. He joined “KazMunayGas” Group in 2010 and through the years he served as a Chief Manager of the Overseas Projects Management Department, followed by the Chief Coordinator position in the Foreign Investments Management Department until 2012, and Deputy Director of the Assets Management Department until 2016.

A lawyer by profession, Mr. Abdibaitov holds a Bachelor of Law degree from the American University of Central Asia, a Master of Laws (LLM) in American Law from the Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Geneva Business School in Switzerland.

ARMAN ALIMZHANOV

Chief Corporate Services Officer

Mr. Alimzhanov is responsible for defining strategy and ensuring the operational management for the coordinated functions, in accordance with the Group's strategy, to fulfill the established business objectives and achieve the expected operational and financial performances.

Mr. Alimzhanov has graduated from KazGUU University and has a degree in Law, and from the Kazakh Economic University having a degree in Finance. Mr. Alimzhanov also holds a Master’s degree in Business Law from UC Berkeley, USA.

He gained experience in such companies as National Welfare Fund “Samruk-Kazyna”, Samsung Electronics and Siemens, where he was responsible for commercial transactions, corporate governance, development of policies, procedures and implementation of best practices to optimize investment and asset management.