Konstantin Sokolov

Konstantin Sokolov’s Biography

Konstantin Sokolov is an experienced entrepreneur and private equity investor with a track record of transforming critical infrastructure in the telecommunications, energy and financial services sectors.

He began his career as Director of Enterprise at Qwest Communications (now Lumen Technologies) where he helped to modernize United States Government telecommunications systems and developed pioneering, next-generation solutions in telecommunications and financial services. He then moved to the multinational energy giant Centrica plc where he was Managing Director for Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions.

Drawing on the experience from these senior positions and harnessing his passion for driving economic growth and realizing its societal benefits, he founded IJS, a private equity investment company which focuses on the intersection of technology, finance, and infrastructure.

As a major shareholder of Viva, the largest mobile and telecommunication company in Armenia, he has championed digital transformation. He has also established the Northern Pillar Energy Consortium, an initiative... Konstantin Sokolov is an experienced entrepreneur and private equity investor with a track record of transforming critical infrastructure in the telecommunications, energy and financial services sectors.

He began his career as Director of Enterprise at Qwest Communications (now Lumen Technologies) where he helped to modernize United States Government telecommunications systems and developed pioneering, next-generation solutions in telecommunications and financial services. He then moved to the multinational energy giant Centrica plc where he was Managing Director for Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions.

Drawing on the experience from these senior positions and harnessing his passion for driving economic growth and realizing its societal benefits, he founded IJS, a private equity investment company which focuses on the intersection of technology, finance, and infrastructure.

As a major shareholder of Viva, the largest mobile and telecommunication company in Armenia, he has championed digital transformation. He has also established the Northern Pillar Energy Consortium, an initiative to connect the increasing wealth of renewable energy in North Africa to a European, and UK market, whilst improving access to affordable, high-speed mobile telecommunications for the African continent.

Konstantin has led restructuring projects for sovereign wealth funds and central banks and has steered the listing of firms on all the major stock exchanges. He has also provided strategic counsel to governments and major companies.

An American national and a married father-of-two, he has a master’s degree in mathematics and computer science and an Executive MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. READ MORE VIEW LESS

Konstantin Sokolov’s Background

Centrica plc

Managing Director for Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions

2004 - 2007

London, UK

Centrica is a multinational, FTSE 100 listed energy and services company. It is the largest supplier of gas to domestic customers in the UK and one of the largest suppliers of electricity. It operates worldwide through regional operations, joint ventures, and acquisitions

Qwest Communications

Director of Enterprise

1997 - 2004

Denver, CO, USA

Qwest was a major US telecommunications firm providing services in almost a third of the country’s states. Established in 1996, it was later acquired by Lumen Technologies.

Current Board Positions

IJS

Chairperson

2007 - Present

Chicago, IL, USA

IJS is a private equity investment company focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and infrastructure. It has steered the listing of firms on all the major Western stock exchanges. Its portfolio includes VIVA, a major mobile and telecommunications company in Armenia.

Northern Pillar Energy Consortium

Chairperson

2024 - Present

Gibraltar, GI

The Northern Pillar Energy Consortium is an initiative to connect the increasing supply of renewables in North Africa to the growing demand in Europe for more energy and to improve access to affordable, high-speed mobile telecommunications on the African continent. The initiatives will enhance local infrastructure, create jobs and boost economic opportunities on both continents.