Balenko Igor Nikolaevich

Balenko Igor Nikolaevich

Biography

Was born on July 28, 1958. Did military service.

In 1984 graduated from the Kiev institute of foreign languages majoring in "the teacher of French".

Career

The labor way began in student's years the worker in Svitanok company (1979-1984). At first Igor Balenko repaired floors, washed windows. Passed to the Tochelektropribor plant later.

Moved with family to Georgia where worked as the bartender. In 1982 the entrepreneur initiated creation of Garantiya company which was engaged in distribution of goods from Georgia. "In Georgia always workshops on production of footwear, bags, jeans actively worked. Using a personal contact, we arranged deliveries of these products in the territory of all Union" — Igor Balenko says.

In 1991 the businessman returned to Ukraine and expanded the business interests, opened in Kiev the first shop "La Furshet" (quite so at first supermarkets were called) as an alternative to currency Birch and Chestnut. In shop up to 200 sq.m generally import food were on sale. In the late nineties Igor Nikolaevich made the decision on network summarization.

In December, 1998 in the center of Kiev, on the Hem, the first national wholesale and retail shop "Furshet" opened, having marked thereby the beginning of an era of domestic supermarkets.

Since 1998 Balenko is appointed the president and the cofounder of retail chain stores Furshet. Since 2002 till present is the chairman of the supervisory board of Furshet Ltd.

In 2007 the business empire of Balenko reached the international level. The French network Auchan and "Furshet" created in Ukraine two joint ventures — for development of networks of Auchan hypermarkets and Immochan shopping and entertainment centers. According to the arrangement, 66% of stocks of the first joint venture (the operator of hypermarkets) belong to Auchan, 19% — the Buffet reception group and 15% — to the head of the Supervisory Board of Furshet Ltd Igor Balenko. In the second joint venture (develops network of shopping center) 50% belong to Auchan, 40% — to Igor Balenko, 10% — to the third financial partner.

In 2010 Balenko started development of supermarket chain of a new format — National.

Except Buffet reception, the place of Shopping Center RITM, Promenade, Gallery of fashions, restaurants "Cossack Mamay", "Arizona", "San Tori", hotels "7 days" and "Impressa hotel" found in a portfolio of the businessman.

Political activity

In 2002 it is elected by the deputy of Kyiv City Council of the IV convocation (fraction the National Lytvyn Bloc). In 2006 it is re-elected as the deputy of Kyiv City Council, became the member of the commission concerning the land relations.

Heads the Kiev city organization of political party "Zmin Front", also holds a post of the Coordinator of the Net Environment direction within Government of changes.

Awards

Balenko is the gentleman of the awards "For Merits" III of degree and "For humanity and mercy", an exclusive English award for honor, advantage and valor of a name of the Queen Victoria. "The medal of General directorate on service of foreign missions" is awarded with medals of difference of the international police corporation of public security "For a powerful contribution to development of Public Security". It is awarded with Certificates of honor of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine "For special merits before the Ukrainian people" and the Cabinet of Ukraine "For high professionalism".

Status

According to rating "The gold one hundred" the Korrespondent magazine the cost of its assets makes $202 million — the 54th place in the list. According to data of the Fokus edition, Igor Balenko takes the 84th place in the rating of 200 richest Ukrainians with a status in $178.8 million. The Forbes magazine gave to Igor Balenko the 48th place in the list of 100 richest people of Ukraine, having estimated its condition in the amount of $204 million (data for November, 2012). In 2012 in "Gold one hundred" Correspondent Igor Balenko took the 60th place with a status of $142 million.

Family

Igor Balenko is married to the famous Ukrainian pop performer Assiya Akhat. There are two sons and the granddaughter.

Links

Igor Nikolaevich Balenko