Andrey Molchanov (businessman)
Andrey Molchanov | |
|---|---|
| Born | Andrey Yuryevich Molchanov September 24, 1971 |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, Doctor of Economics, Politician |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Known for | Founder and principal shareholder of LSR Group; Delegate for Leningrad Oblast in the Federation Council (2008–2013) |
Andrey Yuryevich Molchanov (; born 24 September 1971) is a prominent Russian entrepreneur, Doctor of Economics, honored as a builder of Russia, and recognized as an honorary citizen of the Leningrad Region. He is the founder and principal shareholder of LSR Group (OJSC) and served as a delegate for Leningrad Oblast in the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly from 2008 to 2013.
Education
Molchanov completed his studies at the economic faculty of Saint Petersburg State University in 1993, followed by graduation from the Russian Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Russian Federation (RAPA) in 1998. He holds a doctoral degree in Economic Sciences.
Business
Molchanov launched his entrepreneurial journey in St. Petersburg in 1993 by acquiring JSC «Stroydetal», which operated factories producing joinery, concrete, reinforced concrete, and metal constructions. His uncle, Mikhail Romanov, assumed the role of CEO.
In 1994, he established JSC «Stroitelnaya Korporaciya Vozrozhdenie Sankt-Peterburga», specializing in construction restoration and renovation. Two years later, in 1996, he purchased the construction firm «Lenstroirekonstruktsiya», which later inspired the name LSR Group. Between 1997 and 1998, he further expanded by acquiring a brick manufacturing plant (JSC «Lenstroikkeramika») and a sand quarrying company (JSC «Rudas»).
By 1999, with the addition of Closed JSC "NPO Keramika," LSR Group had become the leading brick producer across St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. In 2001, Molchanov entered Moscow's real estate development sector by founding Closed JSC «Mosstroirekonstruktsiya». In 2003, LSR diversified into mechanized construction services through acquiring tower crane operator «UM-260».
Significantly, during negotiations related to Trump Tower Moscow prior to Donald Trump’s presidency, Molchanov owned properties identified as potential sites for the project.
LSR Group
On April 5, 2013, following his resignation from the Federation Council, Andrey Molchanov was appointed chairman of LSR Group’s board of directors, a position he held until April 2015. Since May 18, 2015, he has been serving as CEO of both LSR Group and LSR LLC.
On March 21, 2016, at the XI All-Russian Congress of Self-Regulating Organizations in Construction, Molchanov was elected president of the National Association of Builders. In 2017, he earned the title of Top Manager of the Year awarded by Delovoy Peterburg. The subsequent year saw him honored as an Honorary Citizen of the Leningrad Region and reappointed as CEO of LSR Group for an additional three-year term. In 2019, Molchanov received first place in Delovoy Peterburg’s ranking for top managers within the "Residential Construction" category.
Politics
At just 22 years old in 1994, Molchanov campaigned for a seat in the Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg representing the «Choice of Russia» movement but was defeated in the runoff. In 2007, he was appointed Assistant to the Minister of Public Health Services and Social Development of the Russian Federation.
From 2008 until 2013, Molchanov represented Leningrad Oblast in the Federation Council and chaired its Committee on Commonwealth of Independent States Issues beginning December 2009.
Philanthropy
In 2022, Molchanov dedicated $2.5 million towards the restoration of the residence designed by architect Konstantin Melnikov located on Krivo-Arbatsky Lane. He was honored with the 25th Golden Pelican Award in recognition of his efforts to revive patronage traditions and his commitment to supporting the arts. Additionally, he provides financial backing for the education of musically talented children in the Leningrad Region.
Income and property
Molchanov possesses a luxury yacht valued at $120 million named Aurora and holds citizenship in Cyprus. In January 2018, he appeared on the US Department of Treasury's «Oligarchs List», which identifies individuals with close ties to Vladimir Putin, encompassing influential political figures and oligarchs associated with Putin.
Family
Married to Elizaveta Molchanova, who leads philanthropic projects as the founder of the «Dobrotorium» Foundation, Molchanov is a father of six children. His stepfather, Yuriy Molchanov, was Deputy Governor of Saint Petersburg from 2004 to 2012 and previously served as vice rector for international relations at Leningrad State University.