Moscow

Thomas joined the company in 2019 as Partner for legal and tax. Thomas is a German lawyer, ranked among top lawyers in franchising and is regularly included into the “Best Lawyers in Russia” rating. He specializes in manufacturing localization (greenfield & brownfield), joint ventures, M&A, franchising & distribution, bankruptcy and restructuring. Thomas advises businesses from a wide range of industries, including machinery, construction and engineering, automotive, logistics, chemicals, mining, energy and utilities, pharmaceuticals, food, real estate, agriculture, fashion, and IT. Prior to joining SCHNEIDER GROUP, he was Partner in the international law firm Noerr. He holds a doctorate in Law from Freie Universität Berlin. Thomas speaks German, English and Russian.

Ekaterina joined SCHNEIDER GROUP in 2005 as senior accountant responsible for accounting and tax reporting for company’s customers. She was engaged in complex projects on accounting and taxation, set up of accounting and management reporting preparation processes, voluntary audits, and financial due diligence.  With SCHNEIDER GROUP business growth, the need in the development of unified internal accounting standards, policies, and procedures to ensure same highest quality of service for all customers became obvious. Ekaterina, as a head of accounting group, took over the responsibility for the project. In 2009 she was appointed head of the newly established internal controls department. As group director for internal controls and audit, Ekaterina leads all in-house projects on constant assessment and improvement of business processes, identification and mitigation of operational risks. She also advises SCHNEIDER GROUP’s customers on setup of corporate internal controls and audit systems, business process efficiency review, and risk management.   Prior to joining SCHNEIDER GROUP, Ekaterina worked as chief accountant in the trading and construction industries. Ekaterina is a certified foreign trade economist, a certified professional accountant with the Institute of Professional Accountants of Russia, a certified internal auditor (CIA) and a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors.

Hans is responsible for consolidation of the Key Account Management function in SCHNEIDER GROUP to further improve client services. He is running the project management office, supporting the execution of internal group-wide projects in order to enhance competitiveness and service provision. Hans has brought with him 20 years of hands-on consulting expertise in Russia. Most recently working as Director International Business for 1C-Wise Advice in Moscow, he previously held executive positions at Accountor Russia and Ernst & Young (CIS) B.V. He has in-depth knowledge in project management, marketing, financial strategy, and business development. He holds a university degree in Economics and Commerce from the University of Mannheim (Germany) and from the Ecole Supérieure des Sciences d'Economie et de Commerce in Paris. He holds an MBA from the University of Oregon (the USA). Hans speaks English, German, French, and Russian.

Ekaterina joined SCHNEIDER GROUP in 2020.  She has over 17 years of experience in advising international and Russian companies on legal aspects of Russian market entry and investment projects, greenfield and brownfield manufacturing localisation projects, EPC-contracts, real estate, and construction.  Ekaterina specialises in quality claims, certification, preparation of permissive documents for import. Companies from machinery, automotive, FMCG, pharma, renewable energies, and retail industries rely on her professional expertise.  She graduated from Lomonosov Moscow State University with a degree in Law, and holds a Master of Law degree from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.

Alexander joined the company in 2021. He has more than 25 years of professional experience and specializes in advising international companies on joint ventures, restructuring, M&A, and executive dispute resolution.  Companies from a wide range of industries, such as machinery, engineering, automotive, pharma, chemicals, food, consumer goods, professional services, fashion and retail rely on Alexander’s expertise. Alexander graduated from Moscow State Linguistic University with a degree in Translation; a degree in Law from Lomonosov Moscow State University; a master's degree in Law from the University of Konstanz (Germany).   He speaks Russian, German and English. 

Christopher joined the company in 2016 and is responsible for interim management services (provision of temporary or permanent managerial resources to perform the functions of a General Director, a branch director or a head of a representative office) in the Moscow office of SCHNEIDER GROUP. Prior to joining SCHNEIDER GROUP, Christopher worked for 7 years as branch manager and financial manager for an Austrian engineering and construction company in Moscow, where he was responsible for commercial management and supervision of subsidiaries, branches and construction projects.   Christopher also handled liquidation of legal entities. He has in-depth knowledge in budgeting, financial planning and control, as well as in personnel management. He graduated from the University of Applied Sciences in Eisenstadt (Austria) with a master's degree in International Business Relations and also studied International Relations at ESCE (Paris). He is currently enrolled in the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants as a student (ACCA). Christopher speaks English, German and Russian.

Alina joined the company in 2017 as associate. She was promoted to senior lawyer in 2018 and to legal counsel of the corporate law practice in 2021. With almost 10 years of professional experience, Alina specializes in supporting foreign investors in Russia, corporate governance and M&A projects. In 2021, Alina was included into the “Best Lawyers in Russia” rating in the M&A category.  Alina graduated from St. Petersburg University with a degree in Law and studied European Private Law at the University of Salzburg (Austria). 

Ekaterina joined SCHNEIDER GROUP in 2017 as senior tax expert. She has in-depth knowledge in value-added tax, corporate taxation, foreign currency control, and international tax structuring, including double taxation treaties.  She has over 20 years of experience.  Ekaterina specialises in supporting SCHNEIDER GROUP’s customers during tax audits, in tax dispute resolution, and in comprehensive tax due diligence. International and Russian companies from pharmaceutical, construction, consulting, insurance, retail, and IT industries rely on Ekaterina’s professional expertise.  She graduated with an honours degree in Law from the Academic Law University at the Institute of State and Law of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow), and completed an advanced course in Tax Consultancy at Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation in 2017.

Yuriy joined SCHNEIDER GROUP in 2015 as business analyst. He was involved in projects for implementation and support of business applications for the customers from wholesale and retail industries, and their integration with SAP and Oracle ERP systems. Two years later, as senior business analyst, Yuriy managed complex projects on transition to online cash registers (according to Russian Federal Law FZ-54), end-to-end digital marking of consumer goods, and EDI solutions implementation into supply chains. In 2019, he competed the internal project for implementation of the electronic document interchange solution “Diadok” at SCHNEIDER GROUP. As head of business applications implementation, Yuriy is responsible for complex integration projects: supervises projects on mandatory digital marking of consumer goods for manufacturers and exporters, integration of ERP systems with Russian leading marketplaces (Lamoda, OZON, Wildberries, etc.), and EDI implementation. 

Olga joined the company in 2013 and got promoted to the head of accounting group in 2015. Since 2017 Olga is also responsible for SCHNEIDER GROUP import services. One of Olga’s first projects at SCHNEIDER GROUP was accounting and management reporting for a world-famous toy manufacturer. She successfully guided the customer through multiple mandatory audits and tax checks and prepared the client’s accounting for migration from 1C to SAP. Olga's accounting team specialises on projects of accounting, tax and management reporting set up, restoration and adaptation for companies from a wide range of industries: from professional services to manufacturing and construction. In 2017, Olga took over operational management of SCHNEIDER GROUP import department, providing export, import and customs clearance services. She has strengthened greatly the SCHNEIDER GROUP's team of foreign trade consultants and assists the company's customers in solving complex tax and customs law issues, helping them to achieve better financial results.  Olga often serves as a financial advisor to the management of SCHNEIDER GROUP's clients. She has more than 15 years of professional experience in finance, including 8 years in financial consulting. Olga has a university degree in Accounting, Analysis and Audit. She is currently pursuing an MBA in Business Management at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (IBS Moscow). Olga speaks Russian and English.

Irina joined SCHNEIDER GROUP in 2007 and has consistently passed all stages of her career path from a recruitment assistant to the head of the HR department and HR consulting projects. Irina's area of responsibility includes various HR services, HR outsourcing, HR audits, military records management, organisation of occupational health and safety systems, as well as personnel services for international projects and local clients. Irina has over 17 years of accumulated experience in HR. She graduated from the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN), has a diploma in English translation and regularly upgrades her qualifications at courses on HR administration, labour law and personnel management.

Elena joined the company in 2007 as accountant, responsible for payroll calculation, statutory and tax accounting for SCHNEIDER GROUP clients. She has in-depth knowledge in internal policies and compliance, accounting and tax, and specialises in accounting methodology. Elena has more than 10 years of professional experience. Elena has been working in SCHNEIDER GROUP's internal controls department for more than 7 years. She is involved in projects on internal audit, development and improvement of internal policies and procedures; business process efficiency review and optimization, both for the SCHNEIDER GROUP own needs and for company’s clients. Elena is a certified specialist in Economics and Business Administration, an expert in International Financial Reporting (DipIFR RUS) and a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors. Elena is a certified professional accountant by the Institute of Professional Accountants of Russia. She is currently enrolled as a student in the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Tatiana joined SCHNEIDER GROUP in 2017 as senior payroll accountant. She has deep knowledge of labour and tax law and advises SCHNEIDER GROUP's customers on payroll calculations of any complexity: summarised accounting, shift work, work in the Far North of Russia and in similar conditions. She has over 17 years of professional experience. Among Tatiana's major projects is the migration of a leading international mining company with over 1,200 employees, including those with shift work in the Far North conditions, to a new HR and payroll system. Her extensive experience includes analysis and coordination of client requests and advice on labour law compliance. Tatiana is actively involved in payroll automation projects. Tatiana graduated from Plekhanov Russian University of Economics with a degree in Accounting, Analysis and Audit. In 2015, she became a member of the Chamber of Tax Consultants.

Ekaterina joined SCHNEIDER GROUP in 2012 as accounting expert, responsible for accounting and tax reporting for the customers. In 2014, she was promoted to the head of accounting group. She manages a team of more than 20 accounting experts and serves as finance & accounting director for several SCHNEIDER GROUP's customers from wholesale, mechanical engineering, professional services, design, and construction industries.  Ekaterina advises SCHNEIDER GROUP's international clients on the issues of Russian accounting and taxation and assists them with the preparation of reporting according to international accounting standards (IFRS, US GAAP).  She has more than 18 years of professional experience. Ekaterina holds a degree in Accounting, Analysis, and Audit from Saint Petersburg State University of Economics. She also graduated from Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia. Ekaterina got additional education in Business and HR Management in the dual-diploma programme by Pierre Mendès-France University, Grenoble, and Université Paris Dauphine, Paris, has a PhD in Economics and a Diploma in International Financial Reporting Standards. Ekaterina speaks 4 languages: Russian, English, French and German.

Julia joined the company in 2007 as accounting assistant and has worked her way up to the position of finance & accounting director, leading a team of 25 accountants. She supervises internal projects on development of add-ons for 1C systems to automate routine accounting tasks and operations. Julia is a regular trainer at SCHNEIDER GROUP’s internal Starsacademy, conducting workshops for accountants and the author of internal standards for preparation of management reporting and transformation of reporting according to Russian accounting standards (RAS) into management reporting according to customer’s requirements.  Julia graduated with an honours degree in Accounting, Analysis and Audit from the Academy of Budget and Treasury of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation (merged with Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation in 2012) and holds a diploma in International Financial Reporting from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in Russian (DipIFR (Rus)).

Olga has over 13 years of experience with SCHNEIDER GROUP. She specialises in the Central Asian markets, and has been focusing on the Russian market for a year now. She firmly believes that HR is about loving people and creating a supportive, productive working environment. Olga is fluent in English and German. Her core specialisation is HR management and coaching, with a focus on employee development and organisational culture. Olga's unique combination of linguistic skills, coaching certification and extensive HR experience makes her a valuable member of our team and trusted expert for clients. Olga speaks Russian, English and German.

In October 2021, Stella joined SCHNEIDER GROUP as Head of Recruitment. She has over 20 years of experience in this field, specialising in HR, recruitment, student and alumni relations, HR brand development, and team diversity. Prior to joining SCHNEIDER GROUP, Stella worked for foreign and Russian companies such as FiveTen Antal, FESCO, and Siemens in manufacturing, logistics, sales, engineering and consulting services, participating in local and global HR initiatives, which allowed her to gain practical experience in business recruitment. Stella is involved in both internal and external recruitment. She is fluent in Russian and English.

Sergey joined SCHNEIDER GROUP in Q4 Y2023 as ERP & IT Director, taking responsibilities for both internal IT operations excellence and external ERP services rendered to numerous clients among all SCHNEIDER GROUP offices. His prior experience includes in-house CIO/CTO roles ensuring business continuity and effectiveness increase through Information Technology for Manufacturing, Distribution, Advertising international holdings; also ensuring successful implementations of complex ERP business solutions as Project Director for major O&G, Mining, FMCG and other companies, often above stakeholders expectations and overcoming various challenges. Sergey’s core competencies include Systems Integration & Architecture Design, IT Audit & Management, Business Processes Optimization & Digitalization, Information & Data Security. Sergey graduated from Moscow State University (Chemicals, Engineering Ecology), speaks native Russian, fluent English, a bit French, German, Latin.