Akopyan to UFG PE

UFG Private Equity is adding Arthur Akopyan as a partner. Akopyan joins from NGI venture capital. His experience is largely based in tech executive roles in Russia.

PRESS RELEASE:

Moscow – UFG Private Equity is pleased to announce the appointment of Arthur Akopyan as Partner. Arthur Akopyan joined UFG Private Equity in December 2012 from NGI venture capital fund. He brings 15 years of operational and corporate finance experience in telecoms, media and IT services. Prior to UFG Private Equity, from 2008 he performed restructuring work for several Russian financial holdings with a main focus on telecommunications and IT. During this time Arthur completed a number of transactions and asset recovery projects and led the activities of SSCP, a medium sized asset management firm.

In 2007-2008 Arthur worked as CFO of Rambler Media (at the time the 1st Russian Internet company with a listing on AIM, sub-market of London Stock Exchange).

Prior to Rambler Arthur served as CFO of Synterra (2005-2007), a leading fiber backbone and fixed-line operator, and CFO of PeterStar (2001-2005), the alternative telecoms operator in St. Petersburg, a subsidiary of US public company Metromedia International Group, which were both successfully sold to strategic investors.

Arthur graduated from Sochi State University in 1995 and passed qualification exam with American Institute of Certified Public Accountants in 2001.

Robert Sasson, Senior Managing Partner of UFG Private Equity commented on this significant new hire: “I am delighted to welcome Arthur to our private equity team. His extensive hands-on track record of direct investments and company turnarounds, deep understanding of the asset management business and first-hand expertise in several industry sectors, will significantly strengthen UFG’s value-added approach to investee companies throughout the investment cycle, from origination to execution.”

Arthur Akopyan added: “I think UFG is extremely well positioned to capture new growth opportunities in Russia. I look forward to working with the private equity team to continue building its investment expertise and capability in the region.”

About UFG Private Equity
UFG Private Equity is part of UFG Asset Management group, a leading Russian-region focused alternative asset manager advising on $1.2 billion in assets across debt and equity hedge funds, mutual funds, managed accounts, real estate/agriculture funds and tradition private equity funds. UFG Private Equity funds invest in companies primarily in Russia as well as the neighboring CIS countries. UFG backs exceptional management teams in businesses with clear growth opportunities and where there is an opportunity to significantly increase equity value for shareholders. Since its inception in 2005, UFG Private Equity has participated in 18 investments with an aggregate transaction value of over $1 billion.