Vladimir Sergeyevich Lisin, born in 1956 in Ivanovo, controls Novolipetsk Steel, one of the four largest steel producers in Russia. His business career began in 1975 at a Soviet coalmine and progressed through the metallurgy sector, eventually leading to the management of large-scale industrial assets under the umbrella of his Fletcher Group Holdings.
Early Career and Education
Lisin started as an electrical fitter before working as a welder foreman at Tulachermet Metals Works. He gained managerial experience as a section manager and deputy chief engineer by 1986. His academic background includes a 1979 metallurgical engineering diploma from the Siberian Metallurgic Institute, an MSc in metal engineering from the I. P. Bardin Central Research Institute of Ferrous Metallurgy in 1989, and a doctorate in metallurgical engineering from the Moscow Institute of Steel and Alloys in 1997.
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In 1992, Lisin joined the Trans-World Group, a collective of traders that secured control over major Russian steel and aluminium assets. By 2000, following a split among partners, he became the sole owner of Novolipetsk Steel. He has served as chairman of the company since 1998. His industrial influence extended to board memberships at other producers, including the Karaganda Steel Plant, MMK, and various aluminium plants.
Diversified Holdings and Recent Restructuring
Beyond steel, his portfolio encompasses logistics and energy, including stakes in the St Petersburg Sea Port, Tuapse Commercial Sea Port, and the Volga Shipping Company. These assets are managed through the Fletcher Group Holdings. In 2023, he registered Serenity II Holdings and Nebula II Holdings in Abu Dhabi, shifting his asset control to that region.
Sanctions and Regulatory Environment
Lisin has faced various international pressures and allegations regarding his business links. In 2022, reporting suggested connections between his entities and the Russian military-industrial sector, which Novolipetsk Steel publicly denied, stating its output focuses on civilian use. While he has been sanctioned by Australia and Canada, reports as late as 2024 indicated he had not been directly sanctioned by the United States or the European Union at that time.
Fast facts
- Born: 1956, Ivanovo
- Primary Enterprise: Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK)
- Education: Siberian State Industrial University
- Net Worth: Approximately US$24.1 billion (Bloomberg, March 2026)
- Notable Awards: Order of Honour, Order of Alexander Nevsky
- International Sports Role: President of the International Shooting Sport Federation (2018–2022)
Questions readers ask
What is the source of Vladimir Lisin's wealth?
His wealth is primarily derived from his controlling share in Novolipetsk Steel, complemented by logistics, energy, and utility investments.
Is Vladimir Lisin currently under international sanctions?
He has been listed under sanctions by Australia and Canada, though reports from late 2024 noted he remained unsanctioned by the United States and the European Union.
Achievements
- Order of Honour
- Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union Prize
- Order of Alexander Nevsky
- Holdings: Fletcher Group Holdings
- Educated at Siberian State Industrial University
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