Ivan Savvidis

Ivan Savvidis
Ιβάν Σαββίδης
Born March 27, 1959
Tsalka, Georgia
Residence Thessaloniki, Greece
Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Nationality Greek
Russian
Education Public University of Economics
Occupation Owner of Agrokom Group
Chairman of CJSC Donskoy Tabak
Owner of Dimera Group Ltd
Major Shareholder of SEKAP
Owner of PAOK
Employer Makedonia Palace
Xenia (Hotel)
Net worth Increase US$430 million (2013)[1]
Title Businessman
Politician
Political party
United Russia
Religion Orthodox Christianity
Children Giorgos Savvidis
Nikos Savvidis
Website
http://www.savvidi.ru/


Ivan Ignatyevich Savvidis, (b. March 27, 1959[2] in Santa, Tsalka District, Georgia), is a Greek-Russian businessman and politician of Pontic Greek origin (in Georgia and the Russian Caucasus often referred to as Caucasus Greeks). Savvidis is one of Russia's wealthiest men and is a member of parliament, closely linked to the president Vladimir Putin.[3] Forbes has listed Ivan Savvidis as the 30th wealthiest Russian in the world.[4]

Professional biography

After serving in the Soviet Army,[5] Savvidis was educated at Rostov Institute of National Economy.[6] In the 1980s and early 1990s, Savvidis was employed in various positions at the Don State Tobacco Factory.[7] In 1992, the tobacco factory was privatised and renamed CJSC Donskoy Tabak; in the following year Savvidi was appointed as its General Director.[8] Savvidis and his wife, Kyriaki Savvidi, is now formally the majority shareholder of Donskoy Tabak, the largest Russian tobacco company.[9]

Between 2002 and 2005, Savvidis was President of FC Rostov. Since 2005, Savvidi has been Chairman of FC SKA Rostov-on-Don. As of 10 August 2012, he has acquired the ownership of the Greek football team PAOK.[10]

Political career

Savvidis was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Rostov Oblast in 1998 and 2003. In 2003, Savvidis was elected as a Deputy in the State Duma; he subsequently served as the Deputy Chairman of the Budget and Taxes Committee during that Parliament. In 2007, Savvidis was elected as a Deputy in the State Duma as a member of the United Russia party; he subsequently served as a member of the International Affairs Committee,[11] as coordinator of Interparliamentary Relations with the Hellenic Parliament[12] and as Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Russia-Belarusian Union.[13]

Personal life and community service

Savvidis is married to Kyriaki Savvidi, with whom he has two sons, Giorgos and Nikos Savvidis.

Savvidis is President of the Federation of Greek Communities of Russia,[14] and was a key figure in pushing for the newly created region by SAE – World Council of Hellenes Abroad for the Greeks of the diaspora in the Black Sea countries.

Notes

  1. http://www.duma.gov.ru/structure/deputies/23873/
  2. http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=130915
  3. Savvidis 30th richest russian
  4. http://www.savvidi.ru/biography/index.html
  5. http://www.duma.gov.ru/structure/deputies/23873/
  6. http://www.savvidi.ru/biography/index.html
  7. http://www.savvidi.ru/biography/index.html
  8. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/smoke-clears-as-laws-and-marketing-shift/442130.html
  9. Ανακοίνωση ΠΑΕ ΠΑΟΚ (in Greek). paokfc.gr. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  10. http://www.savvidi.ru/biography/index.html
  11. http://www.savvidi.ru/biography/index.html
  12. http://www.belrus.ru/structure/deputaty_parlamentskogo_sobrania/ot_rossiyskoy_federacii/savvidi.html
  13. http://en.sae.gr/?id=22321

External links