Competition increases for top job at Orlen

Kownacki was a close partner of Lech Kaczynski in 90s in The Highest Chamber of Control (NIK). In 1999 he left NIK to head BOS bank as president, but 2001 he returned to NIK as deputy president. Last month he was appointed a member of the board of directors of PKN Orlen, responsible for supervising audit, alternative sources of energy and co-operation with the EU. He was also expected to contribute his knowledge and experience to completion of Mozejki take-over process. The Ministry of Economy openly admits the reason for the change is mainly political. The list of probable candidates for the presidental position include Wojciech Jasinski, Miroslaw Kochalski and Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz. Still, Piotr Kownacki's close ties with Lech Kaczynski could give him a substantial lead over the rest of the field. (Puls Biznesu, p.13) J.L.