Ivan Savvidis

Ivan Savvidis Ιβάν Σαββίδης
Born	(1959-03-27) March 27, 1959 Tsalka, Georgia
Residence	Thessaloniki, Greece Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Nationality	Greek Russian
Education	Public University of Economics
Occupation	Owner of Agrokom Group Chairman of CJSC Donskoy Tabak Owner of Dimera Group Ltd Owner of SEKAP Owner of PAOK F.C.
Employer	Makedonia Palace Xenia (Hotel)
Net worth	US$530 million (2015)
Title	Businessman Politician
Political party	United Russia
Children	2
Website	http://www.savvidi.ru/

Ivan Ignatyevich Savvidis, (b. March 27, 1959 in Santa, Tsalka District, Georgia), is a Russian-born Greek businessman and politician of Greek origin (in Georgia and the Russian Caucasus often referred to as Caucasus Greeks). Savvidis is one of Russia's wealthiest men and is a member of parliament, closely linked to the president Vladimir Putin. Forbes has listed Ivan Savvidis as the 30th wealthiest Russian in the world.

Professional biography

After serving in the Soviet Army, Savvidis was educated at Rostov Institute of National Economy. In the 1980s and early 1990s, Savvidis was employed in various positions at the Don State Tobacco Factory. In 1992, the tobacco factory was privatised and renamed CJSC Donskoy Tabak; in the following year Savvidi was appointed as its General Director. Savvidis and his wife, Kyriaki Savvidi, is now formally the majority shareholder of Donskoy Tabak, the largest Russian tobacco company.

Between 2002 and 2005, Savvidis was President of FC Rostov. Since 2005, Savvidi has been Chairman of FC SKA Rostov-on-Don. As of 10 August 2012, he has acquired the ownership of the Greek football team PAOK.

Political career

Savvidis was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Rostov Oblast in 1998 and 2003. In 2003, Savvidis was elected as a Deputy in the State Duma; he subsequently served as the Deputy Chairman of the Budget and Taxes Committee during that Parliament. In 2007, Savvidis was elected as a Deputy in the State Duma as a member of the United Russia party; he subsequently served as a member of the International Affairs Committee, as coordinator of Interparliamentary Relations with the Hellenic Parliament and as Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Russia-Belarusian Union.

Personal life and community service

Savvidis is married to Kyriaki Savvidi, with whom he has two sons, Giorgos and Nikos Savvidis.

Savvidis is President of the Federation of Greek Communities of Russia, and was a key figure in pushing for the newly created region by SAE – World Council of Hellenes Abroad for the Greeks of the diaspora in the Black Sea countries.

External links

• Personal Website (In Russian)