Early Life and Education
Andrei Grigoryevich Guryev was born on March 24, 1960, in Lobnya, a town near Moscow. He graduated in 1983 from the Russian State University of Physical Education, Sport, Youth and Tourism. He later earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Greenwich in 2003 and a post-graduate certificate in Economics from St. Petersburg National Mineral Resources University in 2010.
Rise to Success
Guryev began his career in 1990 at the Menatep Group under Mikhail Khodorkovsky. He rose through the ranks, becoming chairman of Apatit, a Menatep subsidiary, in 2000. In 2004, he acquired control of PhosAgro. Guryev led PhosAgro to become a global player in the fertilizer market, with production facilities in Russia and sales in over 100 countries. He emphasized modernization, production expansion, and the development of environmentally friendly fertilizers.
Key Business Strategies
Guryev's key strategies included a focus on vertical integration and sustainable practices. PhosAgro's vertical integration allowed for control over the supply chain, from raw materials to distribution. The company invested in eco-friendly technologies, producing fertilizers with low cadmium content. Furthermore, PhosAgro's IPO on the Moscow Stock Exchange in 2011 significantly increased the valuation of Guryev's stake.
Philanthropy
Andrei Guryev supported sports and educational initiatives, particularly in regions associated with PhosAgro's operations.
