The supervisory board of Gas Distribution Networks of Ukraine LLC (Gas Networks) has been formed, comprising three independent members and two representatives of the shareholder, the Naftogaz Ukrainy Group, the Group announced on its website on Tuesday.
According to the announcement, following the results of the competition, Hennadiy Chyzhykov, Maryna Petrova, and Justin Goonesinghe became independent members of the supervisory board, while Lesya Kyrychenko and Natalia Kalymbet became representatives of the state.
It is noted that Chyzhykov has headed the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine since 2013, having previously served for over 10 years as president of the Donetsk Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He is a Ukrainian economist and manager, with a Doctor in economics, specializing in international economics.
Petrova is a former Deputy Director of the EBRD Resident Representative in Ukraine and also headed the EBRD Resident Representative in Belarus. Naftogaz notes that she is an international financial expert with over 20 years of experience in banking financing, investment, and market development in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as significant experience in corporate governance and supervisory board service.
Goonesinghe currently serves as Director of Energy and Director of Gas Markets at Tetra Tech (UAE). He previously worked on gas market development in the UK and at National Grid, the UK’s electricity and gas distribution company. He is an international expert in energy and gas markets with over 15 years of experience.
State representative Kyrychenko currently holds the position of head of legal support for the activities of the filling station network of JSC Ukrnafta, Kalymbet is the head of the Department of Management Accounting and Business Analytics of JSC Ukrgazvydobuvannia.
As the Group notes, the selection of independent members of the supervisory board was carried out through an open procedure in accordance with the OECD Guidelines on Corporate Governance in State-Owned Enterprises.
The competitive selection process was conducted by an independent recruiting agency, which formed a shortlist of candidates for further consideration and approval.
“We are consistently implementing best corporate governance practices across all Naftogaz Group companies. Forming a professional and independent supervisory board is an important step for the company’s development and improved governance,” commented Serhiy Koretsky, Chairman of the Board of Naftogaz Ukrainy.
