Directors

 

John Hirst

aged 54, (Non-Executive Chairman)

John Hirst joined the Group on Admission as the Non Executive Chairman. John is currently a non-executive Director of Hammerson Plc. Between 1988 and 2005, John was the CEO of Premier Farnell plc, the UK listed global electronics distribution company. Between 1979 and 1998, John served in various roles at Imperial Chemicals Industries plc, including that of CEO for ICI Performance Chemicals. John is a Companion of the Chartered Management Institute, Associate in Corporate Treasury Management and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales. John also has a BA in Economics from Leeds University.

Responsibilities: As the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, John Hirst is responsible for the corporate governance of the company. He chairs Board Meetings and serves the Audit, Nomination and Remuneration Committee. He ensures that Board functions are effectively carried out and the results are reported to the Board.

 

 

Siarhei Kostevitch

aged 42, (Chief Executive Officer)

Siarhei Kostevitch is the CEO, President and Founder of the Group. He established a business of design and manufacturing in 1990 in Minsk, Belarus, and within 15 years built it into the leading computer component distributor in Eastern Europe and former Soviet Union. Siarhei received a Master's degree in radio engineering design at the Radio Engineering University of Minsk in 1987. Between 1987 and 1992, Siarhei worked as a member of the Research Centre at the Radio Engineering University in Minsk, where he published a series of articles on microelectronics design in local and world-wide specialist magazines.

Responsibilities: Siarhei Kostevitch is primarily responsible for carrying out strategic plans and policies as established by the Board of Directors. He directs and executes all activities of the company either directly or through delegated authority. Siarhei provides leadership in the creation of strategic, tactical, and financial plans, as well as in developing goals and measuring performance to the approved goals, and in organizational development. 

 

Marios Christou

aged 39, (Chief Financial Officer)

Marios Christou joined the Company in August 2001. Prior to this, Marios had worked as a Financial Controller at Photos Photiades Breweries Ltd (part of the Carlsberg Group of companies) for three years. Before this, Marios had also worked with Deloitte & Touche Limassol, Cyprus for four years, holding the position of an audit manager. Marios has a B.A. (1992), dual major – Accounting and Information Systems, and Economics - from Queens College of the City University of New York (C.U.N.Y.), and an M.B.A. (1994) in International Finance from St. John's University, New York. Marios is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Responsibilities: As the CFO of the Group, Marios is responsible for handling of funds, keeping financial records and financial planning of the company. In addition, he controls the Treasury Department which is concerned with the receipt, custody, investment and disbursement of corporate funds, as well as borrowings. Marios is also in charge of all finance related issues of the Group.

 

Constantinos Tziamalis

aged 33, (Director of Credit and Investor Relations)

Constantinos Tziamalis, born in 1975, holds a B.Sc. in Banking and Financial Services and a Masters (M.Sc.) in Finance (Corporate Credit Controller & Investor Relations). Constantinos Tziamalis worked at the private banking department of BNP Paribas in Cyprus and then joined a brokerage house, Proteas Asset Management Limited, where he worked for 3 years as Investor Accounts Manager. Constantinos joined the Company in January 2002 as Financial Project Manager. He was promoted to the position of Corporate Credit Controller & Investor Relations in March 2003, and became Director of Credit and Investor Relations as of 23 April 2007.

Responsibilities: Costas has the primary responsibility for the accounts receivable and supervision of all the Credit Control Department activities. Responsible for monitoring the collection of outstanding debtor balances in accordance with agreed targets, reducing debtor days, and implementing best practices in cash collection. Apart from the responsibility for the credit control directorship, he is in charge of the Investor Relations department. He has to ensure full and timely public disclosure of material information, as well as coordination with legal staff in complying with securities exchanges' requirements.
 

Laurent Journoud

aged 36, (Director - Executive Vice-President - Sales and Marketing)

Laurent Journoud joined the Company in January 2002 as Director of Product Lines. He is responsible for the Group's product portfolio and market development for each of the Group's technology offerings. Prior to joining the Company and for a period in excess of 10 years, Laurent had held senior international product management positions in the EMEA distribution industry with major multinationals including Ingram Micro, Karma International and Actebis. Laurent received an M.I.T. (Management - International Trade) and M.M.E. (Master's in European Management) from ICL Lyon, France, in 1993 and 1994 respectively.

Responsibilities: Laurent is responsible for strategic marketing direction and for development and implementation of marketing and sales strategies. He has to manage the accomplishment of company’s goals in areas of product development, branding, pricing, public relations, and distribution channels. Also, he manages the cross-site marketing team, budget, internal and external communications. 

 

Paul Swigart

aged 36, (Non-Executive Director)

Paul Swigart joined the Group on Admission. He is the founder and controlling partner of Steep Rock Capital, an investment company established in May 2006. Previously, Paul was a partner at United Financial Group, a brokerage and London Stock Exchange market maker for a leading Russian investment bank. Paul has also worked at Scudder Kemper in New York as a Latin American Analyst; at Omega Advisors in New York in the Emerging Market Equities department; and at CS First Boston in New York as a Corporate Finance Analyst. Paul has a B.A. in History (magna cum laude) from Princeton University.

Responsibilities: Paul Swigart is one of the three Non-Executive Directors of the company. He is responsible for attending the Board meetings, and meetings of the company's shareholders. He is also a member of the Remuneration, Audit and Nomination committee of the Board. He constructively challenges and contributes to the development of the strategy. Furthermore, he scrutinizes the performance of management in meeting agreed goals and objectives. Paul is entitled to receiving and requesting information regarding the company and its business.

 

Henri Richard

Non-Executive Director

Henri Richard joined the Group in December 2007. He is currently Senior Vice President, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer for Freescale Semiconductor, a world leader in the embedded semi-conductor industry. Previously, Henri served as Executive Vice President, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at AMD. Henri’s thirty years of professional experience also include work at senior management positions with WebGain, IBM Technology Group, Informatique Haute Performance (a company he founded), Conner Peripherals, and Seagate Technology. Mr. Richard's academic credentials include a Master’s Programme in Sciences & Physics from the University Paris Jussieu.

Responsibilities: Henri Richard is one of the three Non-Executive Directors of the company. He is a member of the Board’s audit and remuneration committees.