Vladimir Pravdivy ends his career at Avito: “It’s a lifetime of emotions, challenges and achievements”

After the end of the financial period in March 2023, Avito CEO Vladimir Pravdivy decided to end his work at the company. Since April 29, he has been taking a break from his work activities. Vladimir said that he would focus on issues of his own health and his family.

The management of the company will remain in the hands of the members of the Board of Directors, which includes all senior managers, including the general managers of the verticals. At the corporate level, Ivan Guz, former Deputy CEO, will be responsible for business development, and Sergey Piven, Avito’s CFO, will be responsible for business support.

Vladimir Pravdivy, CEO of Avito

I have been running Avito for over nine years, a lifetime of emotions, challenges and achievements: 30x revenue growth and reaching the number 1 position in the world. It’s been a marathon at sprint pace, and the last three years have been the most difficult, but also the most successful. I am very proud of these results, especially the team that I managed to grow and what we have achieved together.

I am a player-coach, not an artifact. A CEO who has been working for more than 10 years in a company is a rare case. I know that I am leaving Avito in the safe hands of a great and united team of six thousand people. I am sure that he has the support of the shareholder in the most ambitious and groundbreaking plans.

Now I have to focus on my family and my own health. I once took over the company from the founders Philip and Jonas and treated Avito like a child. A child who is now grown and strong, while my own children are still growing. Then I’ll think about what’s next. And what should be the new story that will inspire me just like Avito.

“The news about Vladimir’s decision was unexpected and sad for me personally. Avito is in his best form today. And this, of course, is the merit of Volodya and the excellent team that he managed to assemble. The fact that he decided to leave not during a storm, but when the company is firmly on its feet, makes me respectful.

I have no doubt that Avito will prosper and preserve a unique culture. Together with Vladimir, we decided how best to maintain this balance. The management of the company will continue to be in the hands of the current senior management, the Board of Directors, who have de facto been doing this for many years. Kismet, as a shareholder, will not affect the operating activities of Avito, our plans for the company as an asset do not change. I believe in the boys and that they will succeed. We will always support the team in strategic matters.”— Ivan Tavrin, founder of Kismet Capital Group, an Avito shareholder.

Avito’s team spoke with Vladimir Pravdivy and recorded a video interview on the most fundamental topics.

Avito’s key business units have long been operating in highly competitive specialized markets as independent players with their own development strategies. The company moved several years ago from a centralized business management model to devolving key decisions to vertical centers and horizontal managers.

Vertical business units include Avito Goods, Avito Auto, Avito Real Estate, Avito Work, Avito Services; to the horizontal ones – Product, Technology, Sales, Marketing, etc. Its leaders make up the Avito Board of Directors.

The general development strategy of the company and the annual budget will continue to be developed by the Board of Directors and agreed by the shareholder. Thus, the decision-making algorithm in the company will maintain its format.