Event news

The competition has been organized in accordance with the initiative of Russian President Vladimir Putin; this is the first time this competition has ever been held. This is the flagship project of «Russia: Land of Opportunities» Platform that seeks to find well-qualified managers who want to give a boost to their careers.

Deputy Plenipotentiary Envoy of the President of Russia in the North-West Federal District Vladimir Sevrikov, St. Petersburg Governor Georgy Poltavchenko, Governor of the Arkhangelsk Region Igor Orlov, Governor of the Kaliningrad Region Anton Alikhanov and Governor of the Novgorod Region Andrey Nikitin spoke at the opening of the semifinals in EXPOFORUM.

The state authorities are interested in finding good managers, Vladimir Sevrikov said.

«Only the leaders who are confident can develop and launch such a social lift project as «Russia’s Leaders»; we welcome personal competition based on recognizing the priority of professionalism. We need energetic, talented, competent, well-trained specialists in various fields: education, healthcare, economy, culture, engineering and technology," Mr. Sevrikov said.

Governor of St. Petersburg Georgy Poltavchenko reminded the audience that the St. Petersburg Strategy for Economic and Social Development through 2030 focused on improving the human capital and the quality of management.

«The country needs highly qualified professionals, and managers of the new generation, with an informal and unconventional approach to solving the problems facing the city," the head of the city government said.

Igor Orlov, Governor of the Arkhangelsk Region, talked to the participants of the competition about developing the Arctic. Russia has a «territory of opportunity» in the Arctic, he said, and the best human qualities are required to meet this challenge.

After the opening of the semi-finals, an open discussion was held to discuss the management system in Russia and the challenges the country is facing in this area, with the participation of Governor Anton Alikhanov of Kaliningrad, Andrey Nikitin, head of the Novgorod Region, Nikolay Podguzov, General Director of FSUE Russian Post, and Mikhail Gusman, Deputy General Director of TASS. The event was moderated by Rector Vladimir Mau of the Russian Presidential Academy of the National Economy and Public Administration.

On December 21–23, semifinalists from St. Petersburg, Leningrad, Vologda, Kaliningrad, Murmansk, Arkhangelsk, Novgorod and Pskov Regions, the Republic of Karelia, the Republic of Komi, and the Nenets Autonomous District will compete at EXPOFORUM for a place in the finals.

Contest organizers are not yet disclosing the names of the participants or discussing the upcoming challenges. This is necessary so that the information does not to reach contestants from other federal districts.

A total of 199,000 applications were submitted, with 24,000 applicants coming from the North-West of Russia. A total of 299 managers from the Northwestern Region made the finals after the online testing.

«Russia’s Leaders» Grand Finale will take place in February 2018 in Moscow. The winners will receive RUB 1 mln to improve their qualifications, get personal mentoring advice from Russian business leaders and public administration officials, and earn a chance to participate in the special manager reserve and development program.

«Russia’s Leaders» is an open HR competition for a new generation of managers. The operator of the competition is the Russian Presidential Academy of the National Economy and Public Administration (RANKhiGS). Pursuant to Vladimir Putin’s order, this will be a continuous project that will work on developing the expertise of specialists, allow them to exchange experiences in the sphere of management, and share best management practices.

Any Russian citizen less than 50 years of age with managerial experience will be allowed to take part in the competition. Participants less than 35 will need to have at least 2 years of practical management experience.

«Russia: Country of Opportunities» is a series of projects for promising managers, entrepreneurs, young professionals, volunteers and schoolchildren.