Mosenergo to replace CEO with Gazprom exec-source

MOSCOW, March 31 (Reuters) - The board of Russian utility Mosenergo (MSNG3.MM: Quote, Profile, Research), controlled by gas export monopoly Gazprom, has decided to replace its chief executive officer with a former Gazprom official, a source close to shareholders said on Monday.

The source told Reuters that Vitaly Yakovlev, Mosenergo's deputy general director since last year, would proceed as general director of the utility, replacing Anatoly Kopsov, whose term is due to expire in June this year.

The source said the replacement had been initiated by Gazprom (GAZP.MM: Quote, Profile, Research), which differed with Kopsov over Mosenergo's investment programme.

Before joining Mosenergo, Yakovlev served as the head of Vostok Gazprom, a subsidiary of the world's largest gas company. (Reporting by Olga Popova; Writing by Maria Kiselyova; Editing by Paul Bolding)