Our Core Team

S-Group team members have many years of professional experience investing and developing businesses. In addition to the personal experience, knowledge and expertise that each member of the team brings to S-Group, the team can also draw on the wealth of expertise of «Severgroup», especially in its core markets and sectors.

Vladimir Yakushev

Vladimir Yakushev is the Managing Partner of S-Group Capital Management.

Prior to joining S-Group in 2007, Vladimir Yakushev served as executive director of OAO Severstal-Resource, where he oversaw management and development of mining assets of the company since 2003. In 1998 he joined McKinsey and Co. where he served industrial and FNCG clients; he was elected an Associate Partner of the company in 2002. Vladimir started his career in FMCG sector and worked for companies such as Wrigley, Mitsubishi and Mars.

Vladimir is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Metallurgical Commercial Bank, a U.S. laser-optical company Spectralus and American optical company Nano-optic Devices, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of OOO “Innolume”, Centice and is a member of the Supervisory Board of TUI AG.

Vladimir graduated from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and holds an MBA degree from the INSEAD Business School (France).

Aidar Gabidoullin

Aidar Gabidoullin is a Partner of S-Group Capital Management, with responsibility for financial and several high-growth technology companies.

Prior to joining S-Group in 2007 Aidar served as Director of Strategy and Operations at Capital One (USA). Earlier Aidar held the position of Engagement Manager in McKinsey and Co. (Russia), where he was responsible for the strategic development projects for high-growth companies. Prior to McKinsey and Co Aidar was a senior adviser for Andersen Consulting (London), where he was responsible for decisions in the field of information technology and optimization of business processes.

Aidar is a member of the Board of Directors of several companies located in Russia, the USA and Europe.

Aidar graduated from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and holds an MBA degree from the INSEAD Business School (France).

Vitaly Belik

Vitaly Belik is a Director of S-Group Capital Management, responsible for deal sourcing, execution and portfolio management of venture investments.

Prior to joining S-Group in 2007, Vitaly was a senior investment manager at Intel Capital, where his main focus was wireless telecommunications, information technology and software sectors. Vitaly has held various positions at Alfa Capital, Delta Capital and Intel Capital. He started his career in investment banking department of Credit Suisse First Boston in Moscow and Kiev.

Vitaly is a member of the Board of Directors of three companies.

Vitaly graduated from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology with a specialization in Applied Mathematics. He also attended the American Venture Capital Institute (Atlanta, USA) and Suffolk University (Boston, USA).

Alexander Yakushev

Alexander Yakushev is a Director of S-Group Capital Management, with responsibility for business development and portfolio management.

Prior to joining S-Group in 2007, Alexander served as a Director of OOO Severstal-Vtormet. In 2005, Alexander became the Deputy Director in the Ministry of Transport of Russia. Since 2003, he worked at JSC “Severstal-Resource” in the capacity of Investment Manager. Alexander started his career in the Investment Group ”Russian Funds“.

Alexander is a member of the Board of Directors of four companies.

Alexander graduated from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, also holds an MBA from Manchester Business School (UK).

Vladimir Smoliyaninov

Vladimir Smoliyaninov is a Director of S-Group Capital Management, responsible for business development and portfolio management.

Prior to joining S-Group, Vladimir created and successfully managed Electronic Payment System — KreditPilot. Prior to creation of KreditPilot, Vladimir was a co-founder and managing director of LV Finance. Previously, he served as Vice President of Renaissance Capital (Moscow) and as a manager in the investment banking division at UBS (Zurich). He started his career at Morgan Stanley (London) as a financial analyst in investment banking division.

Vladimir is a member of the Board of Directors of LLC Innolume and Innolume GmbH.

Vladimir graduated from Moscow State University, where he specialized in Contemporary History. He holds an MBA degree from the European School of Management (France) and a Kaufmann Diploma from the EuropaeischeWirtschaftshochschule (Berlin).

Andrei Zabulonov

Andrei Zabulonov, is a Director of S-Group Capital Management responsible for business development and portfolio management.

Prior to joining S-Group Andrei was head of strategy group at JSC Severstal-Resource, where he was responsible for strategic planning and development of internal projects. He started his career in the Department of Strategic Development at LUKOIL.

Andrei is a member of the Board of Directors of two companies Spektralus and Nano-optic Devices

Andrei graduated from Volgograd State University, where he specialized in finance. He also holds a doctorate degree in finance from Saratov State Social-Economic University.

Maxim Shemetov

Maxim Shemetov is the Vice president at S-Group Capital Management, with responsibility for the travel and leisure sector, both in Russia and abroad.

Prior to joining S-Group Maxim worked for A.T. Kearney in Moscow, advising international and leading Russian corporations on strategy, operations and finance in the consumer goods, retail, financial institutions, pharmaceuticals and telecommunications sectors. Maxim started his career at Trust Investment Bank, where he analyzed the consumer goods sector. In 2007 Maxim was named among the Top-10 finance professionals in Russia (under 27 years of age) by Finans Magazine.

Maxim graduated from the Finance Academy (Moscow) in 2004, after being awarded an MA, with distinction, in Finance. In 2005, he graduated from Cass Business School (London), with an MSc in Finance, with distinction.

Alexander Lakhov

Alexander Lakhov is the General Counsel of S-Group Capital Management.

Prior to joining S-Group, Alexander worked in a group of companies Severstal, on mergers and acquisitions and joint venture projects. Previously Alexander worked for a leading international law firm where he specialized in corporate law, intellectual property and legislation in the field of telecommunications.

Alexander is a member of the Board of Directors of OAO Metallurgical Commercial Bank.

Alexander graduated from the Moscow State University, with a specialization in civil law.

Irina Monina

Irina Monina is the head of legal department of S-Group Ventures.

Prior to joining S-Group Irina worked as legal council in Russia leading law firm — Alrud, where she specialized in mergers and acquisitions, as well as advising Russian and foreign clients on corporate law, securities law and antitrust law. Earlier, Irina worked as director of equity securities department of a Russian insurance company.

Irina graduated from University for Humanities (Moscow, Russia), Faculty of Law, Qualified as Lawyer.