Igor Akhmerov is the founder and CEO of Avelar Energy Group. Prior to joining Avelar, he was CFO of Renova Group, a major international investment management company with wide-ranging interests in the energy sector, including a substantial share in TNK-BP, a vertically-integrated international oil and gas company. As the Renova representative, Mr Akhmerov was actively involved in all issues presented to the Board of Directors of TNK-BP and served on the TNK-BP Compensation Committee.

Mr Akhmerov started his career with Bain & Company, before taking a role as First Vice President of Economics in TNK, one of the largest Russian oil & gas companies at that time. After the acquisition of a 50% stake in TNK by BP, he was placed in charge of strategy and investment for the newly-formed TNK-BP as Vice President for Investment Governance. He holds a BA degree from the Moscow Institute of Management, an MBA from the Wharton School of Business and MA from the Lauder Institute of International Relations.