Evgeny (Eugene) Shvidler

Early Life

Evgeny Markovich Shvidler, known as Eugene Shvidler, was born on March 23, 1964, in Ufa, Russian SFSR (now Russia). He is a dual citizen of the United States and the United Kingdom. His father was a Soviet geologist.

Rise to Success

Shvidler moved to the United States in 1989 and received an MBA from Fordham University in 1992. He worked for Deloitte & Touche in New York. Shvidler returned to Russia in the mid-1990s and partnered with Roman Abramovich. They founded the oil trading outfit Runicom S.A. in the early 1990s. In 1995, they partnered again to gain control of the oil giant Sibneft. Shvidler served as the president of Sibneft from 1998 to 2005, during which time the company became Russia's fastest-growing oil company.

Key Business Strategies

Shvidler's success is linked to his strategic partnerships, particularly with Roman Abramovich, and his early involvement in the privatization of Russian industries. His business acumen allowed him to capitalize on opportunities in the oil and steel sectors.

Philanthropy

Shvidler is known for his philanthropic efforts, donating to educational initiatives. He has donated approximately £10 million to various educational causes in the UK. He funded the rebuilding of a Jewish school in England, now named Beit Shvidler Primary School. He also funded the Center for Jewish Studies at Fordham University, his alma mater.