Early Life and Education
Arkady Rotenberg was born in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Russia, on December 15, 1951. His father, Roman, worked in management, which allowed the family to avoid living in a communal apartment. In 1963, at age twelve, Rotenberg joined Anatoly Rakhlin's sambo club, where he met Vladimir Putin. Rotenberg graduated from the Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education, Sport and Health in 1978, after which he became a judo trainer.
Rise to Success
Rotenberg's career saw a significant rise after Putin became President of Russia in 2000. He was placed in control of Rosspirtprom, a state-owned enterprise controlling a substantial portion of Russia's vodka market. With his brother Boris, he co-founded SMP Bank in 2001, which became a leading supplier of large-diameter gas pipes. Together, the Rotenberg brothers partnered with Gazprom and created trading companies supplying pipes, forming the basis of the Stroygazmontazh (SGM) group. SGM became Gazprom's main supplier in 2009. Additionally, Rotenberg's companies secured large contracts, including those for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Key Business Strategies
Rotenberg's business strategy involved leveraging his close relationship with Vladimir Putin to secure lucrative state contracts. He focused on infrastructure projects, particularly gas pipelines and construction, which provided substantial financial returns. This included acquiring and expanding companies, such as SGM, and securing advantageous deals with state-owned entities like Gazprom.
Philanthropy
Information on Arkady Rotenberg's specific philanthropic initiatives and exact amounts is not readily available through the search results. Some sources indicate that he has Jewish affiliations and causes, but details are limited.
