Uralchem, Moscow, announced that Uralchem Holding plc’s General Director [CEO] Alexander Prygunkov has resigned from the position effective April 26 at his own request. Prygunkov, who only took up the position on Dec. 4, was to focus on the company’s digital transformation processes “to increase loyalty and long-term cooperation with clients” (GM Dec. 11, 2020).
Shortly before Prygunkov’sappointment, there were Russian media rumors that Uralchem’s and Uralkali’s CEOs were about to be replaced amid speculation of merger plans for the two companies in 2021. The merger plans were refuted by Uralchem owner and Chairman and now Uralkali majority shareholder Dmitry Mazepin (GM Nov. 20, 2020).
Uralkali subsequently announced Vitaly Lauk, the company’s Technical Director, as its new CEO, effective Dec. 4. Lauk replaced Dmitry Osipov, who had held the position since December 2013. It was planned that Osipov would focus on new projects at Uralkali, but he has since left the company and is now CEO of Russia’s Vsmpo-Avisma Corp.