Andrei Skoch

Russian billionaire businessman

Andrei Skoch
Member of the State Duma
Incumbent
Assumed office
18 September 2016
ConstituencyStary Oskol No. 76
Member of the State Duma
In office
11 December 2003 – 18 September 2016
Member of the State Duma
In office
19 December 1999 – 11 December 2003
ConstituencyNovy Oskol
Personal details
Born (1966-01-30) 30 January 1966 (age 58)
Nikolskoye, Balashikhinsky District, Moscow Oblast, RSFSR, Soviet Union[1]
NationalityRussian
Political partyUnited Russia
SpouseMarried
Children10
Alma materInstitute of Physical Culture
OccupationBusinessman
Known forPart owner of Lebedinsky Mining, Co-Founder of USM Holdings
Awards
NetworthIncrease US$6.33 billion (February 2021)[2]

Andrei Vladimirovich Skoch (Russian: Андрей Владимирович Скоч, born 30 January 1966) is a Russian billionaire businessman, part owner of the steelmaker Lebedinsky Mining [ru]. According to the U.S. Forbes Magazine, Skoch is among the richest Russians and was listed in The World's Billionaires in 2012. Skoch is a member of the State Duma of the Russian Federation since 1999.

Early life

He was born on 30 January 1966, in the village of Nikolskoye, Moscow region. He served in the Soviet Army in 1984.[3][4]

He was educated at the Institute of Physical Culture and wrote his dissertation there.[5] In 1998, he graduated from the Moscow State University for Humanities named after M. A. Sholokhov (former Moscow State Open Pedagogical University (MSOPU)), Faculty of Psychology.[6][3]

Career

In the late 1980s, he went into business and opened a bakery with Lev Kvetnoi. After that, he sold computer components and owned fuel distribution companies. He held the post of Deputy General Director at "Kuznetsov and Partners LLC".[3][7]

In 1995, he joined the capital and became Deputy General Director of the investment company "Interfin".[3][8]

He worked for MontazhSpetsBank before joining fellow billionaire Alisher Usmanov in the metals business.[9]

Skoch met Usmanov in 1995,[10] while he was working as an oil trader for the bank.[11] Together with Lev Kvetnoi, and Skoch,[12] Usmanov's first purchases were the Lebedinsky Mining and a steel production plant in Belgorod.[citation needed]

In 1999, Skoch became Deputy General at JSC Lebedinsky GOK.[8][3]

Usmanov formed the Metalloinvest conglomerate in 2006 after the acquisition of Mikhailovsky GOK. The merge included Lebedinsky Mining, and Skoch continues to be a partner in the company. Skoch owns 30% of Metalloinvest,[13] though the shares are reportedly held in his father Vladimir's name.[14][15]

In 2016, a list of members of parliament whose names appeared in the Panama Papers was published. Among them was also Skoch.[16]

In April 2018, the United States imposed sanctions on him and 23 other Russian nationals.[17][18]

Political career

In 1999, Skoch became deputy of the State Duma of the third convocation from the Belgorod region. In 2000, he took the post of the Chairman of the Expert Council on Metallurgy and the Mining Industry. In the same year, he defended his thesis entitled "Charity in Russia as a means of social protection of childhood".[19][3][20][21]

In December 2003, he was elected a deputy of the State Duma of the IV convocation. In December 2007, he became a deputy of the State Duma of the V convocation in the list of candidates of United Russia. Since 2012, he has been a member of the inter-factional deputy group for the protection of Christian values.[22]

In December 2011, he was elected a deputy of the State Duma of the VI convocation. In September 2016, became a deputy of the State Duma of the VII convocation.[23]

From 1999 to 2019, during the term of office of the deputy of the State Duma of the III, IV, V, VI and VII convocations, he co-authored 163 legislative initiatives and amendments to draft federal laws.[24]

In 2021, he was elected as a deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, VIII convocation, representing the United Russia party from the single-mandate electoral district No. 76 (Belgorod region). He received 63.9% of the votes.[25]

At the end of 2022, Andrey Skoch entered the top 130 most effective parliamentarians. The evaluation was based on a number of parameters, including public voting indices, activity in legislative work, and assessments of effectiveness by experts. In the 'Usefulness Coefficient' ranking, Skoch ranked 128th out of 450.[26]

Charity

In 2000, he established an independent literary award called "Debut," which existed until 2016.[27][28]

Since 2005, Skoch regularly organizes a charitable International youth seminar «New Generation». As of 2022, the seminar was held 33 times.[29][30]

He is a creator of the humanitarian Pokolenie ("Generation") Foundation. It supports cultural workers and scientists, families with three or more children, veterans of World War II, senior citizens and many others. The foundation also finances the construction of medical facilities in Belgorod Oblast and provides financial support for the reconstruction and restoration of military cemeteries.[31]

In 2007, Skoch provided veterans of the Great Patriotic War from Belgorod region with personal VAZ-2105 (3000 vehicles for 260 million rubles).[32][33]

In 2012, medical institutions of the Belgorod Region received 51 new ambulances from the Pokolenie ("Generation") Foundation.[34] In the same year, the Foundation carried out the reconstruction of the cemetery of the Soviet Army servicemen in Szekesfehervar and the Soviet section of the Kerepesi Cemetery in Budapest (Hungary). During the reconstruction, more than a thousand soldiers of the 2nd and 3rd Ukrainian fronts were identified. A memorial was erected at the cemetery in Szekesfehervar.[35]

In 2013, the Foundation presented VAZ-2104 to 180 large families from the Belgorod Region.[36]

He has reportedly donated over $117 million, a portion of which was earmarked for the restoration of war monuments in Russia.[37] Through the Pokolenie Foundation, Skoch is the sponsor of the Debut Prize,[38] a literary award for Russian writers under the age of 25.[39]

As of 2023, the charitable foundation has allocated over 15 billion rubles for the implementation of various projects.[26]

Controversies and sanctions

According to the U.S. Treasury Department, because Skoch has, alongside his role as deputy of Duma, long maintained ties to organized crime and for a time was alleged to have headed a criminal group himself, he was added to the sanctions list by the U.S. in the wake of sanctions against Russia along with other Russian oligarchs - all of whom are close to the Kremlin and therefore must share the consequences of their government's political actions.[40]

In relation to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, on 23 February 2022, Skoch was added to the EU sanctions list, citing the following reason:[41]

Member of the State Duma who voted in favour of the resolution No. 58243-8 "On the appeal of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation To the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin on the need to recognize the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic" and therefore supported and implemented actions and policies which undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, and further destabilised Ukraine.

On 15 March 2022 Skoch was also added to the UK asset freeze and travel ban sanctions list "in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine".[42]

Personal life

Skoch is the father of ten children, four of whom are quadruplets born in 1994.[43][44] He also has a daughter named Varvara.[45] As of February 2022, he has a grandchild.[46]

His father is Vladimir Nikitovich Skoch. He worked at the Salute engineering plant for several decades. He was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour and the "Labour Veteran" medal.[47][48]

After being elected a deputy of the State Duma, Andrei Skoch transferred his share in "Interfin" to his father, Vladimir Nikitovich Skoch. According to Forbes, in addition to 30% in USM, Vladimir Skoch also owns a share in Vnukovo Airport.[49]

Wealth

According to Bloomberg, Skoch has a net worth of $6.3 billion, as of February 2021.[2] According to the Forbes World's Billionaires List 2021, he ranked 288th on the list of the world's richest people, with a family estimated wealth of $8.6 billion.[50]

Year 2011[51] 2012[52] 2013[53] 2014[54] 2015[55] 2016[56] 2017[57] 2018[58] 2019[58] 2020[58] 2021[59]
Net worth (in billion USD) 3,9 4,2 7,9 8,2 5,7 5,3 6,9 4,9 5,2 6,3 8,8
Rank (Russia) 29 28 19 18 18 18 17 23 22 19 21

He also owns the £100 million yacht Madame Gu.[60][61] He hired the British PR firm to go after the website that reported on his ownership of the yacht.[60] He has reportedly donated over $117 million, a portion of which was earmarked for the restoration of war monuments in Russia.[62]

Honours

  • Medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", Сlass 2 (14 November 1998) - for services in the field of social rehabilitation of disabled people, protection of their rights and interests.[63]
  • Medal of the Order "For Services to the Fatherland " of the first degree (13 February 2003) - for the achieved labor successes and many years of conscientious work.[64]
  • Order of Honor (13 December 2010) - for a great contribution to perpetuating the memory of Russian and Soviet soldiers who died on the territory of the People's Republic of China, and active charitable work.[65]
  • Order of Honor (South Ossetia, 29 May 2011) - for a great contribution to the development and strengthening of friendship and cooperation between peoples, active charitable activities and support provided to the people of the Republic of South Ossetia in the construction of socially significant facilities.[66]
  • Order of St. Alexander Nevsky (2016) - for the restoration of monuments and memorials to Russian and Soviet soldiers in the Belgorod Region, China and Hungary.[67]

References

  1. ^ "Skoch Andrey Vladimirovich" (in Russian). TASS Encyclopedia.
  2. ^ a b "Bloomberg Billionaire Index: Andrei Skoch". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Андрей Скоч: жизненный путь политика, бизнесмена и филантропа". АВТОВЕСТИ. 16 March 2021.
  4. ^ Вершинин, Пётр (16 March 2021). "Андрей Скоч: жизненный путь политика, бизнесмена и филантропа". АВТОВЕСТИ (in Russian). Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Andrei Skoch". Forbes. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  6. ^ "Биография Андрея Скоча. Карьерный путь и благотворительность — TemaUfa | Новости Уфы и Башкортостана". temaufa.ru. 18 March 2021.
  7. ^ Юманова, Екатерина (1 February 2022). "Андрей Скоч — депутат Государственной думы РФ, общественный деятель | Биография и карьера политика". Блокнот Россия (in Russian). Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Скоч Андрей Владимирович биография и пресс-портрет". whoiswho.dp.ru.
  9. ^ "#583 Andrei Skoch - Forbes.com". forbes.com.
  10. ^ Goodley, Simon; Elder, Miriam; Harding, Luke (28 November 2012). "Man behind MegaFon pictured with alleged Russian gangsters". the Guardian. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  11. ^ Sazonov, Alex; Fedorinova, Yuliya (6 February 2013). "Russian Billionaire Usmanov Links Fortune to Partnership". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  12. ^ "Andrei Skoch". Forbes. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  13. ^ "2012 Mining Billionaires: #29 Andrei Skoch, #30 Low Tuck Kwong | MINING.com". 16 April 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  14. ^ Weaver, Courtney (22 November 2012). "Partner breaks silence over Usmanov deals". Financial Times. ISSN 0307-1766. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  15. ^ "Metalloinvest Co-Owner Anisimov May Exit". 26 October 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  16. ^ "Your money - our offshore companies | Свежие новости The Moscow Post". The Moscow Post. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  17. ^ "Ukraine-/Russia-related Designations and Identification Update". United States Department of the Treasury. 6 April 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  18. ^ "США ввели санкции против семи российских олигархов и 17 чиновников из "кремлевского списка"" [The US imposed sanctions against seven Russian oligarchs and 17 officials from the "Kremlin list"]. Meduza (in Russian). 6 April 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  19. ^ "СКОЧ Андрей Владимирович БЛАГОТВОРИТЕЛЬНОСТЬ В РОССИИ КАК СРЕДСТВО СОЦИАЛЬНОЙ ЗАЩИТЫ ДЕТСТВА" (PDF).
  20. ^ "Андрей Владимирович Скоч: жизненный путь и благотворительные проекты". 13 December 2021.
  21. ^ "Andrei Skoch & family". Forbes. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  22. ^ "Скоч, Андрей Владимирович". ТАСС. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  23. ^ "Постановление ЦИК о результатах выборов депутатов Госдумы шестого созыва". Российская газета.
  24. ^ "Russian State Duma".
  25. ^ "Скоч, Андрей Владимирович". ТАСС. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  26. ^ a b "Андрей Скоч — последние новости".
  27. ^ "Андрей Скоч: благотворительная деятельность".
  28. ^ "Андрей Скоч — политик и меценат. Биография". www.gosrf.ru. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  29. ^ "В Губкине прошёл Международный молодёжный семинар «Новое поколение»" (in Russian). Bezformata.com. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  30. ^ Наталья Севрюкова (21 October 2020). "Международный молодёжный семинар «Новое Поколение» прошёл в Губкине" (in Russian). Gubkin city. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  31. ^ "The Debut Prize". Academia Rossica. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
  32. ^ "МАШИНЫ, НУЖНЫЕ КАК ВОЗДУХ | Голос Белогорья". www.golosbel.ru.
  33. ^ "Белгородским ветеранам подарили «ВАЗы»". www.dddkursk.ru.
  34. ^ "Белгородская область получила 51 автомобиль скорой помощи". РБК. 2 March 2012.
  35. ^ "Реконструкция двух военных кладбищ в Венгрии позволила восстановить имена более 1 тыс. павших советских воинов". Interfax.ru.
  36. ^ "Фонд «Поколение» Андрея Скоча наградил многодетные семьи". www.kommersant.ru. 23 June 2013.
  37. ^ "Russia's wealthiest feeling more charitable". Washington Post. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  38. ^ "DEBUT PRIZE « Academia Rossica". academia-rossica.org. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  39. ^ "Debut Prize Foundation - Root - The London Book Fair". londonbookfair.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 September 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  40. ^ "Treasury Designates Russian Oligarchs, Officials, and Entities in Response to Worldwide Malign Activity". U.S. Department of the Treasury. 6 April 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  41. ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/267 of 23 February 2022 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, 23 February 2022, retrieved 15 March 2022
  42. ^ "UK Sanctions List". Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  43. ^ "Случаи рождения в российских семьях четверых и пятерых близнецов". РИА Новости (in Russian). 26 March 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  44. ^ "Андрей Скоч и семья". Forbes.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  45. ^ Андрей Злобин, Ирина Юзбекова (7 April 2022). "Возглавлявший 10 лет USM Стрешинский ушел с поста гендиректора". Forbes.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  46. ^ "Андрей Скоч: «Если хочешь быть счастливым — обязательно будь добрым»" (in Russian). Business-vector.info. 1 February 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  47. ^ "Андрей Владимирович Скоч — депутат Госдумы, меценат и общественный деятель". dp.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  48. ^ "Владимир Скоч — рабочий, воспитавший депутата и ставший предпринимателем". primamedia.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  49. ^ ""Внуково» находится в хорошем месте в хорошее время"". Ведомости. 13 June 2018.
  50. ^ "Forbes Billionaires 2021: The Richest People in the World". Forbes. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  51. ^ "200 богатейших бизнесменов России — 2011 | Рейтинги". Forbes.ru. 15 April 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  52. ^ "200 богатейших бизнесменов России — 2012 | Рейтинги". Forbes.ru. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  53. ^ "200 богатейших бизнесменов России — 2013 | Рейтинги". Forbes.ru. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  54. ^ "200 богатейших бизнесменов России — 2014 | Рейтинги". Forbes.ru. 17 April 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  55. ^ "200 богатейших бизнесменов России — 2015 | Рейтинги". Forbes.ru. 16 April 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  56. ^ "200 богатейших бизнесменов России — 2016 | Рейтинги". Forbes.ru. 14 April 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  57. ^ "200 богатейших бизнесменов России — 2017 | Миллиардеры". Forbes.ru. 20 April 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  58. ^ a b c "200 богатейших бизнесменов России — 2020. Рейтинг Forbes | Миллиардеры". Forbes.ru. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  59. ^ "200 богатейших российских бизнесменов. Рейтинг Forbes". Forbes Россия. 22 April 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  60. ^ a b "Sanctioned Russian oligarchs found sanctuary in Britain". The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (en-GB). Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  61. ^ "MADAME GU". Forbes.
  62. ^ "Russia's wealthiest feeling more charitable". Washington Post. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  63. ^ "Указ Президента Российской Федерации от 14.11.1998 г. № 1387". Президент России.
  64. ^ "Указ Президента Российской Федерации от 13.02.2003 г. № 156". Президент России.
  65. ^ "Указ Президента РФ от 13 декабря 2010 г. N 1556 «О награждении орденом Почета Скоча А.В.» | Портал о наградах, орденах и медалях России, СССР и стран мира". onagradah.ru.
  66. ^ Указ Президента Республики Южная Осетия от 29 мая 2011 года «О награждении Орденом Почета Скоча А. В., Усманова А. Б.»
  67. ^ "Владимир Путин наградил руководителя фонда "Поколение" Андрея Скоча орденом Александра Невского". fonar.tv. 12 March 2016.
  • v
  • t
  • e
Members of the 8th State Duma by party (2021 to 2026)
United Russia
Communist PartyA Just Russia — For TruthLiberal Democratic PartyNew PeopleParty of Growth