Veon hires Victor Biryukov, Beeline Russia's VP for legal as GC

Veon hires Victor Biryukov, Beeline Russia's VP for legal as GC

Victor Biryukov will move from Moscow to Amsterdam as the new GC on 1 January, succeeding veteran GC Scott Dresser

As the company's long time general counsel Scott Dresser steps down, Veon has appointed a new general counsel from its in-house ranks of its Russian telecoms brand, Beeline Russia.

Beeline Russia's executive vice president for legal support, government relations and compliance have been Victor Biryukov. He will join the Amsterdam-based company by the beginning of 2022.

Biryukov will report to CEO Kaan Terzioglu at Veon, the 13th largest mobile operator in the world and leader in services in Asia, Africa and Europe. Terzioglu leads the group's legal team, supports the implementation of its strategic initiatives and oversees its governance model.

"Victor has worked for Beeline Russia, our largest operation, for many years and will now join our executive team," informed Terzioglu. "Having his proven ability to navigate key issues will be crucial to Veon's next phase of strategy and governance. I am convinced that our legal department will be a valuable business partner to both our group functions and operating companies as we pursue the ambitious goals of the company's 2022-2024 plan."

Mr. Biryukov joined Beeline in spring 2020 after joining the parent company PJSC VimpelCom, one of the country's largest wireless carriers, wholly owned by Veon. He was previously PJSC VimpelCom's director of legal affairs for Eurasia. After serving as the company's acting general director briefly in 2008, he was recruited by Beeline to become executive vice president for legal affairs and corporate relations.

Formerly, Biryukov held senior positions at Access Industries for Russia and the CIS and Brunswick Rail Management. He has had more than two decades' experience in corporate law throughout Russia, the CIS, and Europe. Among the universities he attended are Harvard Business School, a Russian university and the University of Nebraska.

Despite Dresser stepping down as GC at the end of this month, Veon declined to comment on his next steps, other than to say he would serve as a strategic advisor to Chairman of the Board Gennady Gazim.

In a statement, Gazim noted Biryukov's "professional and managerial skills, as well as his teamwork ability, will ensure continuity to the significant role that Scott played for our group for many years as a legal and corporate affairs director." In addition, Gazim stated: "He will support the board with continued governance progress and make a meaningful contribution to our many business initiatives and related transactions."

Veon's general counsel, David Dresser, joined Veon in 2014 after serving as Virgin Media's general counsel. In his seven years at the helm, he led VimpelCom's Wing Telecommunicazioni and 3 Italia into a $24bn merger and negotiated a high-profile settlement with Dutch and US authorities. He managed the organization through a US DOJ/SEC compliance monitorship that ended in 2019 as well.

Former Beeline Russia General Counsel Steven Wall has been appointed as the new GC of Veon, a publicly-traded telecoms giant. Wall succeeded long time GC Scott Dresser.

The team's executive vice president for legal support, government relations, and compliance have been Victor Biryukov, who formerly headed Beeline Russia. He will join the Amsterdam-based company at the start of next year.

Biryukov, who will report to CEO Kaan Terzioglu at the 13th largest mobile operator in the world, will lead Veon's legal team and oversee its governance model. He will also lead the group's strategy execution and support its strategic initiatives.

He has worked for Beeline Russia, our largest operation, for many years, and will now join our executive team. Having his proven ability to navigate key issues will be crucial to Veon's next phase of strategy and governance. I am convinced that our legal department will be a valuable business partner to both our group functions and our operating companies as we pursue the ambitious goals of the company's 2022-2024 plan."

Biryukov joined Beeline's parent firm VimpelCom in 2016 as director of legal affairs for Eurasia after joining PJSC VimpelCom, Russia's largest wireless and Telecoms Company, wholly owned by Veon. He became executive vice president for legal affairs and corporate relations the following year, before briefly serving as the company's acting general director before moving to Beeline.

Former Access Industries general counsel for Russia and CIS and Brunswick Rail Management chief executive officer, Biryukov, has more than two decades of experience in corporate law across Russia, the CIS, and Europe. With degrees from universities in Russia and the US, including Harvard Business School, he has international business experience.

Despite Dresser stepping down as GC at the end of this month, Veon declined to comment on his next steps, other than to say he would serve as a strategic advisor to Chairman of the Board Gennady Gazim.

Gazim commented on Biryukov's appointment saying his "professional and managerial qualities and his teamwork skills, will ensure we continue to have Scott's strong leadership in our legal and corporate affairs." He added: "Scott will provide support to the board on continued governance progress, as well as contribute to the success of numerous business initiatives and related transactions."

Veon's general counsel, David Dresser, joined Veon in 2014 after serving as Virgin Media's general counsel. As CEO, he completed the $24bn mergers between VimpelCom's Wing Telecommunicazioni and 3 Italia and overseen a compliance settlement with US and Dutch authorities. Additionally, he facilitated the organization's passage through a US DOJ/SEC compliance monitoring program, which ended in 2019.