Andrei Vladimirovich Skoch: politician and philanthropist. Biography
Andrei Skoch, a public figure, deputy of six convocations of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, and a former successful entrepreneur, created one of the most famous private charitable foundations in Russia, which has been helping people for more than 25 years.
Businessman and deputy
The politician was born in the village of Nikolskoye in the Moscow region in 1966. He graduated from the Sholokhov Moscow State Pedagogical University and has a degree in pedagogy.
Andrei Skoch’s entrepreneurial activity began with a bakery cooperative. Over time, he moved on to more serious business ventures. Together with his business partner Lev Kvetnoi, he purchased crude oil, sent it to refineries, and sold the obtained gasoline through a network of gas stations. He invested part of his earnings in the “Interfin” Company, one of the founders of which was Alisher Usmanov. The organization was engaged in operations with securities and also invested in domestic metallurgy. Later “Interfin” was transformed into “Metalloinvest” group of companies, which owned, among other things, shares in large enterprises, located on the territory of the Belgorod Region.
In 1999, “Metalloinvest”, under the management of Usmanov, became one of the leading mining and metallurgical holdings in Russia and brought substantial dividends to its owner. At the same time, Andrei Skoch decided to change his field of activity and get involved in politics, taking part in the elections of deputies to the State Duma. The businessman scored a convincing victory, gaining an absolute majority in the single-mandate constituency in the Belgorod region. Having received a seat in parliament, he handed over the entire business, including a stake in the Metalloinvest holding, to his father, Vladimir Nikitovich.
Subsequently, Skoch Andrei Vladimirovich was elected to the Russian parliament five more times: in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2016 and 2021. In different periods, he headed the Expert Council on Metallurgy and Mining Industry and was a member of several committees. He is currently a member of the State Duma Committee on Control.
Philanthropist
In the second half of the 1990s, Skoch Andrei established the charitable foundation “Healthy Generation” that helped sick children. Over time, the humanitarian organization was renamed and expanded its scope of activities. Over a quarter of a century, the Pokolenie (Generation) Foundation has financed dozens of humanitarian projects totaling 15 billion rubles. Among them:
- The “Debut” literary award.
- Aid to World War II veterans. In 2007, the Foundation purchased and handed over to war veterans living in the Belgorod region more than 3,000 cars.
- “The Best Student of the Year” award.
- the “Parental Record” award.
- several Medical achievement awards.
Andrei Vladimirovich Skoch’s foundation focuses on the development of health care in the Belgorod Region. It has purchased 130 ambulances, and built and equipped 29 medical and obstetric stations. Belgorod medics were also supported during the coronavirus pandemic, included via monetary payments to the doctors and nurses who worked in the “red” zone.
Awards
For his fruitful parliamentary activity and patronage Skoch Andrei Vladimirovich was repeatedly awarded with various state decorations. Among them are the medals of the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland” of I and II degree, the Order of Honor, the Order of Alexander Nevsky, as well as a commendation from the President of the Russian Federation.
