Russia: Finnish Corporate Affairs Director appointed at Baltika, Russia's largest brewer

Baltika, Russia’s largest brewing and consumer goods Company, announced on June 14 that Mrs Mervi Heinaro, 38, has been appointed as Director, Corporate Affairs for Baltika Breweries. She is based in the Baltika headquarters in St Petersburg, Russia.

Prior to joining Baltika, Mrs Heinaro has worked as Corporate Affairs Director at Baltic Beverages Holding (BBH), being based in Helsinki, Finland since May 2003. Before that Mrs Heinaro was employed by an international consulting firm McKinsey & Company for close to 10 years. Mrs Heinaro has higher academic business education and degrees from both the University of East Anglia, UK and the Åbo Academy University Business School, Finland.

A separate Corporate Affairs department is newly founded. It assumes responsibility over the functions and development of media support, internal communications, public affairs, corporate PR and investor relations as well the brewery excursions.

Mrs Heinaro comments: “I am very enthusiastic about the new challenge. Baltika is such a large company, with enormous possibilities. Together with my team we will make our best to contribute to the development our internal and external communications. Corporate Affairs department functions as the mediator and facilitator between different internal and external audiences. Our ambition is to serve the different stakeholders with the necessary and timely information they need for high-quality decision making. Efficient communications is an essential part of a good corporate culture and an important management tool."

Mrs Heinaro stepped into her position on May 4, 2005. Director, Corporate Affairs reports to the President of Baltika, Mr Anton Artemiev. Mrs Heinaro is part of the future management group for the joint structure of Baltika, Vena and Pikra brewing companies announced on May 11, 2005 by BBH.

About Baltika:
Founded in 1990.
Market share in Russia in Quarter 1 2005 - 24%.
Around 8000 employees.
Consists of five breweries located in St Petersburg, Tula, Rostov-on-Don, Samara and Khabarovsk , and malt houses in Tula and St Petersburg (30% ownership).
Owns 16.38% of the shares of Pikra Brewery.
Holds two most popular Russian brands: Baltika and Arsenalnoye. In addition brews brands Samara, DV, Don, Parnas, Medovoe, and international brands Carlsberg and Forster’s under license.
Baltika is the second largest beer brand by volume in Europe.
Exports to 37 countries in the world.
Largest shareholder is Baltic Beverages Holding AB (BBH) with a 75% share.
Market Capitalization over 3 billion USD.

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