Mikhail FRIDMAN

Mikhail Fridman is the Chairman of the Board of LetterOne, an international investment business, headquartered in Luxembourg. LetterOne was established in 2013 and invests internationally in the telecoms, technology, health and energy sectors.
A native of Ukraine, Mr Fridman graduated from school in Lviv in 1980, where he won school Olympiads in physics and mathematics. He graduated with honours from Moscow Institute of Steel and Alloys in 1986. After beginning entrepreneurial activities in 1988, with fellow students, he co-founded Alfa Group Consortium in 1989, one of the Russia’s largest privately owned financial-industrial investment groups with diverse commercial interests. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of VimpelCom, the international communications and technology company, headquartered in Amsterdam (NASDAQ) and a member of the Supervisory Board of X5 Retail Group N.V. (LSE).
Mr. Fridman is known for his public activities. He is a member of the International Advisory Board of the Council on Foreign Relations (USA). As an active promoter of the Russian culture, he is a member of the judging committee at the National Literary Award in Russia, Big Book, and a member of the Board at the National Literature Support Centre. Alfa-Bank is known as the main sponsor and organizer of outstanding international cultural events in Russia, including the concerts of Sir Paul McCartney in the Red Square, tours of Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton, U2 etc., as well as Russian cultural projects abroad. Mr. Fridman is the founder and a member of the Alfa Jazz Fest Supervisory Board in Ukraine.
Mr. Fridman is an enthusiastic supporter of various Jewish causes. In 1996, Mr. Fridman co-founded the Russian Jewish Congress and later entered the RJC Presidium. He contributes generously to the work of the European Jewish Fund, a non-profit organization aimed at developing European Jewry, and established Genesis Philanthropy Group to support development of Jewish identity among Russian-speaking Jews worldwide.
Mr. Fridman holds numerous awards for business leadership. He was named “Businessman of the Year” by Forbes (2012) and GQ (2006). Mr. Fridman was included in the Financial Times’ list of “Leaders of the New Europe 2004” and was listed on “Europe’s Power 25” by Fortune (2004). In 2003, Mikhail Fridman was honored with the Golden Plate Award of the International Academy of Achievement in Washington, presented by 42nd U.S. President Bill Clinton.