#Switzerland #Geneva #CEO #SOCAR Trading #Natig Mustafayev

SOCAR Trading SA Welcomes Natig Mustafayev as New CEO

In an exciting development for the company, SOCAR Trading SA has announced the appointment of Natig Mustafayev as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mustafayev, who previously served as the Chief Commercial Strategy Officer since September 2024, is poised to bring significant expertise to the role, particularly in the realms of global financial markets and investment strategies relevant to sovereign credit.

With nearly two decades of experience, Mustafayev is recognized for his deep understanding of emerging markets, international trade, and risk management. Before joining SOCAR, he held prominent positions at Credit Suisse Securities in London. He also worked for years at Barings in both London and Boston, where he served as Managing Director and Portfolio Manager for Emerging Markets Debt portfolios, successfully managing assets totaling $15 billion at one point.

Mustafayev’s impressive track record as a macroeconomist and portfolio manager is underscored by his ability to develop investment strategies and lead high-performance teams. His career spans across both the private and public sectors, including significant roles at the Securities Commission of Azerbaijan and as a Commercial Analyst at BP Azerbaijan. His commitment to building and leading teams in investment strategies highlights his capability to collaborate with government officials and economic policy makers to enable effective decision-making and ensure optimal returns.

In his new role, Mustafayev articulated a clear vision for the future of SOCAR Trading. "Looking ahead, we are committed to expanding SOCAR Trading's global footprint and diversifying our portfolio across both products and geographies," he stated. This ambitious goal highlights his focus on enhancing the analytical capabilities of the company and establishing new counterparty relationships. Furthermore, he aims to drive value across the entire SOCAR ecosystem through disciplined risk management and strategic insights.

Natig Mustafayev holds both an M.Phil. and an M.A. in Economics from Columbia University, and he earned a B.A. in Economics and Business Administration from Bogazici University, where he graduated at the top of his class. His multilingual abilities, which include fluency in English, Russian, Turkish, and Azerbaijani, will further foster international collaboration and engagement for SOCAR Trading.

He succeeds Mariam Almaszade, who led the company since 2018 and will now serve as Senior Advisor within SOCAR Group. The leadership at SOCAR Trading extends its gratitude to Almaszade for her significant contributions over the years. SOCAR Trading looks forward to integrating Mustafayev’s global experience and expertise as the company seeks to enhance its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence.

In an ever-evolving energy landscape, the company continues to prioritize delivering reliable and efficient solutions for its diverse clientele and counterparties worldwide. Mustafayev’s leadership is expected to mark a pivotal turning point as SOCAR Trading navigates the complexities of global markets and strives to expand its impact on the industry.