On 7 November 2019, Helikon-Opera hosted Russia’s annual Top 1,000 Managers gala awards ceremony that named the best managers of 2019.

The award winners are selected from the leaders of the Russian business community based on evaluations by businesses and experts, as well as market peers. Marianna Zakharova, First Vice President for Corporate Governance, Asset Management and Legal Affairs, was named Best Director for Legal Affairs in Russia by the award’s experts and the business community.

Natalya Pochinok, Rector of the Russian State Social University, presented Marianna Zakharova with the award statuette and an unusual gift — a hockey stick.

“They say hockey isn’t for the weak of heart. Well, lawyers have to insert themselves into every process — they play both the first and back lines,” said Natalya.

“I don’t play hockey, but I am a team player, and the team we have at Nornickel is exceptionally strong. This award comes as a recognition of the hard work by our entire legal department, whose employees are indeed deeply involved in all company processes to ensure the highest quality of legal support,” said Marianna Zakharova.

Roger Munnings, Chairman of the Audit and Sustainable Development Committee, also won an award — in the special Best Independent Director category.

A leading management awards event, Russia’s Top 1,000 Managers was founded in 2003 by the Russian Managers Association and Kommersant Publishing House to identify effective management practices and shape a new management elite in Russia. The nominees are picked from the managers who came in top of the namesake rating, which is annually published by Kommersant.

Marianna Zakharova Named Best Director for Legal Affairs in Russia