Mikhail Balakin

Mikhail Dmitrievich Balakin
Born	(1961-04-20) April 20, 1961 Serpukhov, Russia
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, politician
Known for	Chairman of SU-155 corporate group; Member of Moscow City Duma

Mikhail Dmitrievich Balakin (Russian: Михаил Дмитриевич Балакин; born April 20, 1961) is a prominent Russian entrepreneur and political figure. He serves as the chairman of the SU-155 corporate group and represents the 38th electoral district in the Moscow City Duma.

Early life and education

Coming from a family with a background in construction, Balakin earned his degree in civil engineering from Kuibyshev Moscow State University of Civil Engineering, specializing in heat and gas supply along with ventilation systems.

Career

Balakin’s professional journey began as a master, progressing to chief engineer within eight years before assuming the role of director at Construction Management No. 155 (SU-155) in 1990. Following SU-155’s transition to a public company in 1993, he became co-owner and general director.

In 2000, he took a position within the Moscow mayor’s administration, managing municipal construction initiatives and overseeing the refurbishment of aging residential buildings. Noteworthy projects under his supervision included the Moscow International House of Music, the new stage for the Bolshoi Theatre, Square of Europe adjacent to Kiyevsky railway station, and the library at MGU.

After departing from the mayor’s office, he resumed leadership at SU-155 as chairman in 2005.

Business

Balakin holds the controlling stake in the SU-155 Group, which encompasses over 80 enterprises within industrial and construction sectors. The group’s revenue experienced a 35% increase in 2013, reaching 114.2 billion roubles.

He formerly possessed shares in NS Bank but divested them in April 2013. In 2014, Balakin sold off assets related to management companies initially affiliated with SU-155 to concentrate on strengthening the Group’s principal construction operations.

Status

Since 2005 (with the exception of 2009), Balakin has been listed among Russia’s wealthiest businessmen by Forbes, also appearing on their global rankings starting in 2010:

• Ranked 50th in Russia (2005) with an estimated net worth of $550 million;
• Placed 57th (2006) with $800 million;
• Positioned 53rd (2007) with $1.2 billion;
• Achieved 34th (2008) with $4 billion;
• Not listed in 2009;
• Ranked 41st nationally and 616th worldwide (2010) with $1.6 billion;
• Held 40th place in Russia and 512th globally (2011) with $2.3 billion;
• Came 46th domestically and 683rd internationally (2012) with $1.9 billion;
• Listed as 57th in Russia and 831st globally (2013);
• Ranked 52nd within Russia (2014) valued at $1.9 billion.

Political career

Since 2014, Balakin has been part of the Public Council under the Russian Ministry of Construction Industry, Housing and Utilities Sector.

In that same year, he contested for a seat in the Moscow City Duma representing constituency number 38. Although initially anticipated to run as an independent candidate, he ultimately stood for election under the banner of the Liberal Democratic Party and secured victory with 46% of votes cast.

In the mayoral race of Moscow held in 2018, Balakin was nominated by the Union of Citizens party. His registration required gathering between 110 and 115 signatures from municipal deputies. He initially collected 112 endorsements; however, after three deputies withdrew their support, his candidacy was rejected by the City Election Committee. On July 23, 2018, this decision was overturned by the Moscow City Court, which mandated his inclusion on the ballot.

In the final tally for mayoral votes, Balakin ranked last, receiving a total of 42,192 votes, equivalent to 1.87%.

Awards

Mikhail Balakin has been honored with several distinctions from the Russian Orthodox Church, such as the Order of Holy Prince Daniel of Moscow III degree in 2005, the Order of Holy Father Serafim of Sarov III degree in 2007, along with both the Medal of Holy Prince George Vsevolodovich III degree and the Order of Holy Father Serafim II degree awarded in 2014. In 2008, he was conferred the title of “Builder Emeritus of the Russian Federation,” and in 2014, he received the prestigious Order of Honour.

Family

Balakin is a married man and has one daughter.

See also

• SU-155

External links

• Official biography of Mikhail Balakin on SU-155 (English)
• Ekaterina Gerashchenko. «По-моему, цена на жилье и так запредельная» (Mikhail Balakin interview) Kommersant, 22.04.2014. (Russian)
• Ekaterina Gerashchenko. «I Think Housing Is Overpriced» (Mikhail Balakin interview) Kommersant, 22.04.2014. (English)