When Russia's second largest bank, VTB, 85% state-owned, appointed the first ever foreign national to its board in December 2009, it was a clear signal of intent. Herbert Moos, the son of a Russian mother and a German father, became chief financial officer (CFO), and was also made deputy president of the bank, to ensure that he has the authority to drive through an agenda of change.
Mr Moos had previously run the London operations of VTB Capital, the group's investment banking arm, and had already held a CFO position at Lehman Brothers, Asia excluding Japan. However, his role at VTB is also a personal departure, as for the first time he now has responsibility for the finances of a universal banking group, which includes VTB's corporate banking business, the VTB-24 retail brand and VTB Capital.