Born on 11 July 1981 in Lipetsk. Graduated cum laude from the Lipetsk State Technical University in 2003 (Department of Physics and Technology) with a degree in Industrial Heat and Power Engineering. In 2006, he obtained a degree in Financial Management from the All-Russian Distance Learning Institute of Finance and Economics. From 2012 to 2013, Mr Sokolov completed studies in Managing Large-Scale Road Projects at the Skolkovo Moscow School of Management.From December 2005 to January 2010 he was Head of the Procurement Department at the Municipal Orders Division of the Lipetsk City Administration. From January 2010 to May 2013 he was Deputy Head of the Procurement Center of the State Company Russian Highways. From May 2013 to April 2015, he was General Director of OOO Avtodor Trading Systems. In April 2015, he was appointed Director of the Competition Policy Department of the State Company Russian Highways.