Early Life
Grigory Berezkin was born on August 9, 1966, in Moscow, Russia. He graduated from Moscow State University with a degree in Petrochemistry in 1988. He continued his studies there, completing postgraduate work in 1991 and defending his thesis in 1993, earning a Candidate of Chemical Sciences degree. From 1991 to 1994, he worked as a junior researcher at Moscow State University.
Rise to Success
Berezkin's business career began in the early 1990s. In 1992, he co-founded Slavyanka, which later evolved into the Seventh Continent supermarket chain. His involvement in oil trading led him to meet Roman Abramovich, which significantly influenced his career. Under Abramovich's patronage, Berezkin became the deputy general director of Komineft in 1994, and simultaneously its general representative in Moscow. He also managed the Mesco company, a joint venture of Komineft and RAO International Economic Cooperation. Berezkin later became Chairman of the Board of Directors for KomiTEK and has held various directorships in the energy sector. In 1999, Berezkin organized the sale of OJSC KomiTEK Oil Company to LUKOIL. He then transitioned to the energy sector, where he controls companies supplying electricity to state-owned corporations.
Key Business Strategies
Berezkin's strategy included acquiring and managing assets in the energy sector, and making successful joint ventures with international companies. He sold a significant stake in Rusenergosbyt to Enel, an Italian energy conglomerate. He has also expanded into media, acquiring a controlling stake in the RBC media holding. He has served as an independent director on the board of Russian Railways.
Philanthropy
While specific figures for Berezkin's philanthropy are not readily available, he is noted for his commitment to family.
