Early Life and Career Beginnings
Farkhad Akhmedov was born in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 1955. He moved to Moscow at age 15 and later served in the Navy. His initial career involved trading Russian sables at the London commodity exchange. In 1987, he founded Tansley Trading, supplying equipment to Russian gas producers, which marked his entry into the energy sector.
Rise to Success in the Energy Industry
Akhmedov's success in the oil and gas industry began in the early 1990s when he became a shareholder in Northgas, a Siberian gas producer. By 2000, he had gained full control of the company. In 2012, he sold his stake in Northgas to Novatek for $1.38 billion.
Key Business Strategies
Akhmedov's business acumen included identifying opportunities in the post-Soviet Russian energy sector and building strategic relationships. He invested in a pomegranate juice factory in Azerbaijan. He sold his shares in Northgas in 2012 for $1.4 billion.
Philanthropy
Akhmedov is an active philanthropist. He has donated over $150 million to children's charities and wildlife projects. He founded the Nar Gallery, dedicated to Azerbaijani art. He is also known to sponsor the Buta Festival of Azerbaijani Arts.
