This title was awarded to Severstal for being the top winner in the nomination 'The Implementation of Social Programs by Companies and Enterprises'. Severstal was named a leader in this category largely due to its implementation of over 26 social programs totaling 82 million rubles in 2001. These programs are supervised by the HR and Social Affairs departments together with the region's and city's authorities.

The award ceremony was attended by Vladimir Putin, Russian President, Veleria Matvienko, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Government, and Alexei Pochinok, Minister of Labor and Social Development.

Alexei Mordashov took the first floor speaking on behalf of big businesses. He mentioned main parts of Severstal's social policy - health, sport, ecology, and education. "Severstal understands the importance of social responsibility, because people are the most important company asset," said Mordashov.

Vladimir Putin, stressed the importance of social programs in the successful development of Russian business in his welcoming address. He noted Severstal as a company which has large scale social programs made up of small things like giving its employees shots of influenza vaccine. This, coupled with other measures, allowed to lower staff illnesses by 20%.

Leonid Gavrilov, HR director of Severstal, and Georgy Shevtsov, social affairs director, took part in the award ceremony. Severstal won the title 'Company of High Social Responsibility' for the second time in a row. In 2001, it took first place in the nomination HR: Qualifications and Training. This time Severstal shared 1st place in a different nomination with Ukos Oil Company, Mosenergo (Moscow Power Company), and Urals Electrochemical Plant.