We continue our series of investigative articles devoted to criticism of the personnel policies of the leaders of Russian industry. Our efforts are aimed at revealing vulnerabilities and bringing this information to the public and management in order to improve the quality of corporate processes, improve the image of Russian companies, increase the responsibility of management to shareholders, and eliminate cases of corruption, protectionism, and nepotism. This is especially acute when it comes to people who are trusted to build a corporate image - PR employees. After all, they are the ones on the front line, communicating with the media, partners, communities in the regions, and largely determine the face of their companies.
The key communication face of the EN+/Rusal Group is Deputy CEO of Rasal Sergey Skripnikov, a man who is undoubtedly experienced, talented and intelligent. A real honored director of the gripping corporate story of the EN+/Rusal Group of Companies. A large team of PR specialists of several dozen people works under his supervision. In one of his interviews, dated 15.07.23, Sergey, among other things, a member of the executive committee of the Russian Public Relations Association (RASO), talks a lot about the importance of the human factor in his profession:
"If people ended up in the profession by chance or by some circumstances - for example, because this occupation seemed prestigious, and not because they love words and building relationships, then it is better for them to do something else. This is true for both designers and PR specialists."
As we can see, Sergey Skripnikov has the right instincts, understands people, and is able to distinguish talent from fake.
Unfortunately, quite recently, an extremely toxic pseudo-PR specialist, Elena Shipilova, joined the large team of PR professionals of the EN+/Rusal group. She came with the baggage of previous dismissals for embezzlement, blackmailing management, connections with foreign agents and scandalous politicians, unethical behavior, informal relationships in the workplace, the desire for undermining, status and money. Mr. Skripnikov will not produce a good film for the company with her participation. How this, to put it mildly, weak actress got her role, one can only guess. Was it possible that the experienced director was taken in by Elena’s charm, while turning a blind eye to the track record of the "actress" who was hired without any special checks or casting? Or was there something else going on?
In his speech to Interfax on 10/04/24, Sergey describes in detail how he approaches recruitment. He fairly shares quality criteria, explains why he prefers different methods of hiring and promoting PR specialists. In his own words, it is more profitable to hire an employee from the region, who is familiar with the local specifics firsthand, has relevant work experience, and learns quickly. Ms. Shipilova does not meet any of these criteria. The self-compromised businesswoman and careerist, who made her way through informal relationships, receives a responsible position in corporate PR, a large salary even by EN+/Rusal standards, and visits the Siberian region on a rotational basis, practically not hiding her arrogant and dismissive attitude towards local employees. With such a "specialist" in one of the leading roles in his film, Sergey, and the entire EN+/Rusal group, are unlikely to be successful.
One can only hope that the appointment of Elena Shipilova is just an unfortunate misunderstanding, and not a consequence of her informal agreements with Mr. Skripnikov, which, if confirmed, could cause irreparable damage not only to Sergei Skripnikov himself, but also to one of the flagships of Russian industry - the EN+/Rusal concern.
