Early Life and Education
Vladimir Sergeyevich Kim was born in 1960, to a Korean family in the Kazakh SSR. His family's ancestors were forcibly relocated to Kazakhstan during the Stalinist era. He graduated from the Kazakh Leading Academy of Architecture and Civil Engineering in 1982 with a degree in civil engineering. Kim later earned an MBA and a PhD in business and administrative management from John F. Kennedy University in 1998.
Rise to Success
Kim's professional journey began in the mining sector in 1995 when he became the managing director and CEO of Zhezkazgantsvetmet JSC. He was elected chairman of the board of directors of Zhezkazgantsvetmet in 2000. Kim's leadership propelled the company forward, and he became the Chairman of Kazakhmys upon its listing on the London Stock Exchange in 2005. In 2013, he stepped down as chairman of Kazakhmys, becoming a non-executive director but remained a major shareholder.
Key Business Strategies
Kim's success is largely attributed to his strategic vision and expertise in the mining industry. He has been instrumental in transforming Kazakhmys into a leading global mining company. His strategy included overseeing Kazakhmys's listing on the London Stock Exchange in 2005, making it the first Kazakh company to do so. In 2014, he led a restructuring that resulted in KAZ Minerals PLC, focusing on high-grade assets. Kim currently holds a significant stake in KAZ Minerals, the largest copper producer in Kazakhstan. He also has a controlling stake in Bank RBK.
Philanthropy
Beyond his business achievements, Kim is recognized for his philanthropy. He established the Vladimir Kim Foundation, which supports education, healthcare, and cultural initiatives in Kazakhstan.
