Grayling has announced changes in the management team of its Russian office. Milana Valieva, previously the Deputy Country Manager, has been appointed Grayling Russia’s Chief Operating Officer. Lilly Miller, who headed the Corporate Communications department, has been appointed Vice President.

Milana Valieva joined Grayling in 2012 as Account Director, Corporate Communications, and subsequently headed the B2B communications practice. For nine years, Milana led strategic advisory for clients in the finance, telecommunications, transport and IT sectors, as well as managing integrated marketing campaigns for FMCG and consumer tech clients. Milana chairs the Association of Public Relations Consultants’ (AKOS) Industry Standards Promotion Working Committee and is the Russian representative for the Pandemic Action Network. In her new role, Milana will focus on managing the agency’s operations, developing its international client base and coordinating the activities of Grayling’s 70 employees in Russia.

Lilly Miller joined the agency in 2011 as an Account Executive in the Corporate Communications team. She initially supported B2B IT and industrial clients, expanding over time to cover lifestyle and integrated communications campaigns for companies from the automotive, transport, FMCG and consumer tech industries. Lilly has extensive experience in developing and managing projects of various sizes from scratch, from organising and supporting roundtables and press conferences to the opening of production sites throughout Russia. Lilly’s responsibilities include developing, implementing and coordinating communications campaigns in the field of corporate and integrated communications, as well as new business development and maintaining a stable working climate within the team. As Vice President, Lilly will continue to advise clients strategically and will focus on developing the agency’s business.

Eugenia Skobeleva, CEO of Grayling in Russia, said: “Milana Valieva has proved herself not only to be a high-class professional, but also an effective senior manager and strategist. Lilly Miller is an example of professional development within the company – from the position of Account Executive ten years ago to Vice President today. I am thrilled that Grayling supports female leadership both globally and locally and that we can demonstrate to the industry that career opportunities for female communicators should not be limited by specialisation, a ‘glass ceiling’ or age. The skills and experience acquired while working in a PR agency make it possible to successfully manage not only communication, but also operational business processes.”

Earlier this year, Grayling Russia was recognized as the ‘Best Agency in Russia and the CIS’ by the international EMEA SABRE Awards. The jury praised the Russian team for doubling business growth and for its commitment to the well-being of clients and employees, despite the challenges of 2020.