The Freeport of Riga Board unanimously approved Ansis Zeltins as the Freeport of Riga CEO

In accordance with the procedure set out in the “Law On Ports”, a further meeting of the Freeport of Riga Board will be convened following the approval of the Minister of Transport, in the framework of which a final decision on the appointment of A. Zeltins as the Freeport of Riga CEO will be taken.

“I am pleased that, despite the sceptics’ opinions, in the relatively short time and in compliance with the open competition procedure, we have succeeded in finding an appropriate candidate for the position of the Freeport of Riga CEO. The qualification and experience of Ansis Zeltins are highly appreciated by the competition Commission, which unanimously awarded him with the biggest amount of the points in the second and third rounds of the competition and decided to propose Mr. A. Zeltins’ candidacy to the Freeport of Riga's Board during its meeting. The Freeport of Riga Board with unanimous support confirmed his candidacy for the CEO position”, emphasized the Freeport of Riga Board Chairman Andris Ameriks.

Ansis Zeltins was born in 1975, he holds a professional Bachelor’s/Master's degree in Maritime Transport, awarded by the Latvian Maritime Academy, as well as a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Salford University, the United Kingdom. A.Zeltins' professional experience is related both to the shipping industry (Master's assistant on Aframax cargo vessels) and to the top management positions in the private and public sectors in the­­ field of transport and logistics. At present, A. Zeltins holds the position of the Chairman of the Council of the SJSC “Latvijas dzelzcels (Latvian Railway)”, he is the director and member of the board of the LLC “Rīgas brīvostas flote (Freeport of Riga Fleet)”, as well as an advisor to the Chairman of the board of the SJSC “Latvijas Jūras administrācija (Latvian Maritime Administration)”. Before that, he was a transport sector Attaché in the European Union, the Director of the State Joint Stock Company “Latvijas Jūras administrācija (Latvian Maritime Administration)”, and also worked in leading positions in several private companies related to the transport and logistics sector.

In accordance with the approved Regulations, the open competition was organized in three rounds – during the first round  assessment of the applicant's compliance with the general criteria was checked, the second round was focused on the applicant's specific, industry-related knowledge and skills, while on-site interviews of applicants took place during the third round. The regulations provide that an applicant should have higher academic or second level vocational training in management, finance, economics or engineering, while education, related to the transport sector (port management, transport and logistics) or to maritime activities (navigation, ship steering) is an advantage. A minimum of 5 years of professional top managerial experience in large-scale capital companies or public institutions or organizations was also required. High standards of language skills were set for an applicant - the highest level of the national language skills, and at least English and Russian language skills.

With regard to the applicant's specific, industry-related skills and knowledge, a deep understanding of the port operation and normative acts, experience in strategic development and management, financial and planning issues, as well as experience in international cooperation were required - the applicant had to justify all the competences in writing. Besides, an applicant had to boast an excellent reputation.

The Freeport of Riga CEO Position Candidate Selection and Assessment Commission, approved by the Freeport of Riga Board, selected and evaluated the eligible candidates. The Commission consisted of the SJSC “Latvijas Jūras administrācija (Latvian Maritime Administration)” Board Chairman Janis Krastins (Ministry of Transport representative), Head of the Administration of the Ministry of Finance  Ieva Braunfelde (Ministry of Finance representative), Director of the Baltic Institute of Corporate Governance Andris Grafs (Ministry of Economy representative), Chairman  of the limited liability company “Latvijas Vides, ģeoloģijas un meteoroloģijas centrs (Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Center)” Kristaps Treimanis (Environmental Protection and Regional Development Ministry representative), the Riga City Council Legal Department Director Janis Liepins (Riga City Council representative), the Riga City Council Property Department  Commercial Activity Provision Authority Chief Ilze Spule - Statkus (Riga City Council representative) and the Attorney at Law Modris Supe (the Freeport of Riga Authority representative).  Mr.Aleksandrs Muhlinkins, Latvian Free Trade Union Vice-President, Ms.Katrina Zarina, Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board member and the representative of the Latvian Employers Confederation were approved in an advisory capacity to the Commission.