Larisa Berezhnova

Providing CFO-level and strategic finance support to shareholders and management teams on a project and advisory basis. Engagements range from full-time leadership roles to structured diagnostic and transformation projects. Focus areas include: • business restructuring and performance stabilisation • cash flow and liquidity management • financial structuring and investment assessment • strengthening financial control and management reporting • support in turnaround and transformation situations Working with owners and executive teams to restore financial control, strengthen governance, improve capital allocation discipline, and prepare businesses for growth, restructuring or exit.

Magnum Retail - Subsidiary of a leading Kazakh retail group, operating a chain of large-format grocery stores in Uzbekistan. Responsibilities Overall financial leadership of the local business during a period of operational and financial instability. Financial diagnostics, cash flow analysis and assessment of business sustainability Coordination of finance, legal and management teams during restructuring and closure phase Interaction with headquarters, tax authorities, banks and key counterparties Results Developed and maintained a financial model of business closure and settlement of obligations Provided regular cost forecasts and financial reporting to headquarters Supported controlled settlement with counterparties and minimization of financial risks Completion of business closure in accordance with approved financial plan

Represented interests of Kazakh shareholders in a Russian investment project. Acted as a trusted financial and strategic liaison between shareholders, management, legal advisors and external stakeholders. Role & scope Represented shareholders’ interests in financial performance, risk exposure and governance matters Oversaw cash flow sustainability and key financial risk areas Advised on restructuring initiatives, cost optimisation and governance decisions Coordinated interaction between owners, management and external legal and financial advisors

Project company focused on development and construction of small hydropower plants (HPPs) for electricity generation in Almaty region, Kazakhstan. Led full financial management of hydropower generation projects Structured and supported project financing with the Development Bank of Kazakhstan Worked with private investors and Big Four audit firms on investment and financing documentation

Manufacturing company with own production facility and nationwide wholesale distribution of construction materials across Kazakhstan. Managed finance for manufacturing operations and nationwide wholesale distribution Oversaw budgeting, cash flow, cost control and financial reporting Supported business expansion and operational scaling across regions

Provided financial advisory and consulting support to business owners and management teams on a project basis. Focused on financial structuring, reporting, cash flow management and owner-level decision support. Engagements across retail, manufacturing and service businesses.

Leading electronics and home appliances retail group in Kazakhstan with nationwide operations. Scope & Responsibilities Led end-to-end financial management of one of the largest consumer electronics retail chains in Kazakhstan (nationwide footprint). Built and scaled financial governance, budgeting, cash flow management and internal controls during the company’s rapid growth phase. Acted as key financial partner to shareholders and CEO, supporting strategic decision-making and investment priorities. Oversaw corporate finance, treasury, taxation, and management reporting across the group. Coordinated work with Big4 auditors and external advisors, ensuring transparency and audit readiness. Played a central role in pre-IPO / capital market readiness discussions and strategic financial structuring. 🔹 Key Results & Impact Strengthened financial discipline and reporting transparency across the group. Ensured stable liquidity and controlled growth during expansion of retail network. Established a professional finance function aligned with shareholder-level expectations. Successfully supported external audit processes and senior stakeholder communication.

Real estate advisory and investment consulting firm, later integrated into CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) Role & Scope Led evaluation and financial assessment of commercial, residential and industrial real estate projects Managed financial models, investment analysis and feasibility studies for development projects Reviewed business plans, cash flow models and project economics Supported investors and clients with financial insights for investment decision-making Coordinated project teams and worked closely with legal, technical and valuation specialists Key Focus / Value Added Provided investors with structured and transparent financial view of real estate projects Supported informed investment decisions through disciplined financial analysis Contributed to project evaluation standards and internal methodologies

One of the largest electronics and home appliances retail groups in Kazakhstan, operating a nationwide chain of large-format stores. Scope & Responsibilities CFO for a large retail group in Kazakhstan (consumer electronics), working directly with shareholders and CEO. Led finance function end-to-end: corporate finance, treasury, budgeting, management reporting, tax, internal control. Supported strategic decisions on expansion economics, store performance, cash discipline and investment priorities. Coordinated external advisors and audit processes (incl. Big4), ensuring transparency and audit readiness. Contributed to capital market readiness / IPO-prep discussions (as applicable) and strengthening governance. Key Results Improved financial transparency and operational controllability across the group (structure to more transparent governance). Built a finance operating model that supported rapid growth while maintaining liquidity discipline. Established shareholder-grade reporting and decision cadence (weekly/monthly dashboards, forecasts, closure metrics).

Early career role in a nationwide retail and home appliances business, building strong foundations in accounting, financial control, reporting and compliance. Progressed from chief accountant responsibilities to full financial management of the company, overseeing budgeting, cash flow, tax and statutory reporting, and supporting business growth and operational scale-up.