Mikhail Khabarov
Mikhail Khabarov | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 12, 1971 Zlatoust, Chelyabinsk, USSR |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, executive |
| Known for | CEO and board chairman of National Bank TRUST |
Mikhail Valentinovich Khabarov (born 12 March 1971 in Zlatoust, Chelyabinsk, USSR) is a Russian entrepreneur and executive. He currently holds the positions of board chairman and CEO at National Bank TRUST, a financial institution playing a key role in the Central Bank of Russia's initiative to strengthen the country's banking sector.
Education
In 1993, Khabarov completed his studies at the Moscow Institute of Steel and Alloys State Technological University (presently known as National University of Science and Technology MISiS), earning a degree in Automation of Technological Processes and Metallurgical Production. The following year, he graduated from the Higher Commercial School affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations. He later obtained an MBA from Pepperdine University in California in 2001. It has been reported that his relocation to the United States in 1998 was connected to accusations concerning misappropriation of a 30% share in Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works.
Career
Khabarov’s early employment included roles such as window cleaning and selling ice cream. From 1993 to 1994, he was part of the Automation Department within the Ministry of Metallurgy of the Russian Federation. Although his background in finance was limited, his expertise in metallurgy led to a probationary appointment within a bank’s corporate finance division.
Inkombank and Magnitogorsk Steel
In 1994, Khabarov took on the role of manager-in-chief at Inkombank. By 1996, he had progressed to Deputy Director responsible for Economy, Finance, and Strategic Development at Magnitogorsk Steel—a financial-industrial conglomerate holding control over Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) together with Inkombank. During this period, he reported to Rashit Sharipov, who chaired MMK’s Board. That same year, Khabarov and his family moved to the United States, returning to Russia only after the expiration of legal time limits on criminal investigations related to MMK.
ROSNO Asset Management Alliance
Upon his return to Russia, Khabarov was recruited by the Finance Director of insurance company ROSNO. In 2004, he established and became head of ROSNO Asset Management Alliance. Around this time, Mikhail Fridman, co-owner of Alfa Capital, was searching for a CEO. Consequently, in May 2006, Khabarov departed ROSNO along with a team to join Alfa Capital.
Alfa Group
By October 2010, Khabarov had been appointed president of A1, Alfa Group’s investment arm, while simultaneously serving as Chairman of Alfa Capital’s Board. He also secured a position on Alfa Group’s Supervisory Board. Under his guidance, A1 administered the Alfa Distressed Assets Fund (ADA), acquiring nearly US$2 billion worth of non-performing assets from Alfa Group, rehabilitating them operationally prior to their sale.
Khabarov steered A1 toward becoming a prominent entity in hostile acquisitions, utilizing assertive methods that ranged from borderline legal tactics to applying pressure via criminal proceedings against resistant companies. Media reports spotlighted contentious incidents involving A1, including the closure of budget carrier Avianova, confiscation of assets from ceramic tile manufacturer Stroyfarfor, and disputed takeovers amid US and EU sanctions targeting defense enterprises such as Rostec and Uralvagonzavod.
He remained at the helm of A1 until December 2014. By 2019, press descriptions portrayed him as "part racketeer, part debt collector." Since 2014, Khabarov has been co-owner and president of Delovie Linii, a logistics firm.
National Bank TRUST
In May 2019, Mikhail Khabarov assumed the role of Prime First Deputy President-Chairman of the Management Board and CEO at National Bank TRUST Non-core Assets. This financial institution was created to manage the consolidation of distressed assets resulting from a significant restructuring of banks such as Otkrytie FC, B&N Bank, and Promsvyazbank. Khabarov is responsible for overseeing the management, disposition, and recovery of non-performing assets valued at 450 billion rubles. Alexander Sokolov, who serves as the bank council's president, commended Khabarov for his expertise in handling troubled asset portfolios. Nevertheless, media outlets have highlighted that Khabarov brought on board former A1 personnel who have been associated with controversial backgrounds.
Conflict within Delovie Linii
Khabarov became a co-owner of Delovie Linii, one of Russia’s leading logistics enterprises, in 2015. By August 2017, tensions had surfaced between him and fellow co-owner Alexander Bogatikov. In September 2019, Solarstones Limited—a Seychelles-registered company under Khabarov’s control—initiated legal proceedings seeking $25 million in damages against Bogatikov and DL Management Limited at the London Court of International Arbitration. Following this, the Primorsky District Court in St. Petersburg issued injunctions that barred transactions involving eight companies within the Delovie Linii group, with enforcement carried out by the Federal Tax Service.
Press coverage indicates these injunctions are linked to an ongoing hostile takeover attempt. Judge Natalya Karpenkova, who has previously faced disciplinary action over significant procedural breaches, plays a central role in this legal conflict.
Hobbies
During his younger years, Mikhail Khabarov participated in athletics and skiing; however, he is most recognized for his activities as an amateur poker player. His highest accomplishment in this arena was securing 13th place in the No Limit Hold'em Event #4 at the European Poker Tour (EPT) National held in Sochi, where he earned US$7,963. Overall, his poker earnings total US$16,573.