Leonid Fedun
Leonid Fedun | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 5, 1956 Kyiv |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Co-founder of Lukoil, former vice president of Lukoil, former president of FC Spartak Moscow |
Leonid Arnoldovich Fedun (; born April 5, 1956) is a billionaire businessman of Ukrainian origin who holds Russian citizenship and is a co-founder of the Russian oil giant Lukoil. He occupied the position of vice president at Lukoil until his retirement in 2022.[1] Additionally, Fedun served as president of FC Spartak Moscow before divesting his shares back to Lukoil.[2]
Prior to his business endeavors, Fedun had a military career and is widely regarded as a trusted partner of Vagit Alekperov, the co-founder of Lukoil.[1][3]
As of February 18, 2022, Fedun’s estimated net worth was $8.5 billion; however, by March 28, 2022, it had declined to approximately $1.7 billion.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Critics have classified him as an oligarch.
Education
Fedun was born in Kyiv and grew up in Baikonur, where he embarked on a military path. He graduated in 1977 from the Military-Political Department of the Rostov Higher Military Command School and later pursued postgraduate studies at the Dzerzhinsky Military Academy. In 1984, he obtained a Ph.D. with a dissertation focused on public opinion among military personnel as a factor influencing army morale.[4]
Between 1984 and 1992, Fedun held a teaching position in sociology at the academy, achieving the rank of colonel during this period.[4]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name In 1993, he completed further postgraduate education at the Higher School of Privatization and Entrepreneurship.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Since 1995, he has been affiliated with the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences.
Career
Before transitioning fully into business, Fedun delivered lectures for the Znanie organization. His visit to Kogalym in 1987 led to meeting Vagit Alekperov, then director of Kogalymneftegaz, who offered him employment.[5]
In 1990, Alekperov assumed the role of deputy minister for the oil and gas sector and invited Fedun to relocate to Moscow. By 1992, Alekperov departed public office to establish the Langepas-Urai-Kogalymneft concern managing major oil fields in Langepas, Urai, and Kogalym. This entity was rebranded as LUKoil in 1993. From 1992 through 1994, Fedun founded and managed Neftkonsult (which later became LUKoil-Consulting) along with Lukoil Reserve Invest (the precursor to IFD Kapital Group). In 1995, he was elevated to vice-president at LUKoil.[5][6]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Also in 1993, Fedun exited military service to assume the CEO role at JSC Vostok Aviation Company. By May 2006, he had become one of the principal owners of IFD Kapital Group.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Fedun contributed 10 million rubles to support relief efforts at the Vishnevsky Institute of Surgery.[7]
Sports
Fedun acquired a significant stake (32.7%) in FC Spartak Moscow in 2004, becoming its second-largest shareholder and president; Alekperov held a slightly larger share at 36.7%. By 2014, Fedun’s investments in the club approached nearly $1 billion.[5] Throughout his tenure until 2022, Spartak inaugurated its home venue, Lukoil Arena; established the Spartak Academy; secured victories including the 2017 Russian Premier League championship, the 2017 Russian Super Cup, and the 2021–22 Russian Cup.[6][4] On August 22, 2022, Fedun stepped down as president and sold all his shares back to LUKoil.[2]
In July 2021, Fedun submitted a £400 million offer to purchase Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., an English Premier League club; this bid was ultimately declined.[7]
Awards and honors
Fedun has been recognized with multiple prestigious state decorations in acknowledgment of his business accomplishments, such as the Order For Merit to the Fatherland (III and IV degrees) and the Order of Honour.
Family
Arnold Antonovich Fedun (1928–2021), Fedun's father, was a renowned surgeon who also held the rank of colonel in the medical service. From his first marriage to Marina, Fedun has two children—Anton (born 1985) and Ekaterina (born 1988)—both of whom have established themselves in the business world. He has five children with his second spouse, Zarema Salikhova, including a daughter born in 2022.
See also
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