Early Life and Education
Viatcheslav Kantor, born on September 8, 1953, in Moscow, Russia, grew up in the capital where he completed his elementary and secondary education. He attended the Moscow Aviation Institute, graduating in 1976 with a degree in Spacecraft Automatic Control Systems. During his student years, Kantor conducted research for NPO Spektr, a gas services supplier. His academic achievements culminated in a PhD in Spacecraft Automatic Control Systems in 1981.
Early Career and Scientific Contributions
Post-graduation, Kantor ventured into entrepreneurship, founding a computer trading company. Subsequently, he managed a USSR space laboratory, where his research led to the development of a satellite capable of using reflected light to illuminate the Earth’s surface. This innovative work showcased Kantor’s early commitment to technological advancements.
Corporate Leadership and Acron Group
In 1993, Viatcheslav Kantor acquired a substantial stake in the state-owned fertilizer company Azot, later renamed Acron. Under his leadership, the Acron Group rapidly expanded into the fertilizer market, becoming one of Russia’s largest producers with output exceeding 6.45 million tonnes annually. Kantor’s strategic vision and business acumen transformed Acron Group into a significant player in the chemical industry.
Acron Group details
Acron Group is a prominent global mineral fertilizer producer boasting a diversified product portfolio. Its engagement spans the production of a variety of fertilizers, including complex ones like NPK and bulk blends, as well as nitrogen fertilizers such as urea, ammonium nitrate, and urea-ammonium nitrate.
The company’s mining activities are focused on potash and phosphate, with operations in Russia and Canada. In Russia, Acron manages both chemical production facilities and a mine. The group extends its services to include logistics and distribution through its subsidiaries. Key markets for Acron Group include Russia, Brazil, Europe, and the United States.
The company, with its headquarters situated in Moscow, Russia, has strategically established distribution and marketing subsidiaries in several countries, including the United States, Switzerland, France, Brazil, and Argentina. Acron Group’s business model is characterized by vertical integration, covering mining, fertilizer production, and distribution. This comprehensive approach contributes to the company’s position as a significant global mineral fertilizer industry.
Political and Economic Advisory Roles
From 1996 to 2000, Viatcheslav Kantor served as chairman and economic advisor to the Federation Council of the Russian Federal Assembly. In 2000, he assumed the role of President of the National Institute of Corporate Reform, fostering collaboration among business leaders, politicians, and scientists to promote corporate best practices and economic reforms.
Leadership Positions in Advocacy Organizations
Vyacheslav Kantor holds prominent leadership positions in various influential organizations, reflecting his commitment to global causes:
European Jewish Congress (EJC)
Since 2007, Vyacheslav Kantor has been the President of the European Jewish Congress, representing over 3 million Jews in Europe. He actively advocates against racism, particularly anti-Semitism, and undertakes initiatives to strengthen Jewish identity, fight discrimination, and address historical injustices.
International Luxembourg Forum on Preventing Nuclear Catastrophe
Founded in 2007, this forum, under Kantor’s presidency, focuses on nuclear non-proliferation issues, emphasizing the prevention of nuclear catastrophes. The organization addresses emerging threats, including the potential use of dirty bombs by terrorists, and actively participates in discussions on nuclear challenges worldwide.
European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation (ECTR)
Co-founded by Vyacheslav Kantor in 2008, the ECTR, with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair as Chair, works to combat extremism and xenophobia in Europe. The organization monitors tolerance principles in European nations and develops strategies to enhance interracial relations and cross-cultural communication.
European Jewish Fund (EJF)
Launched in 2006, the EJF, led by Kantor, supports education and leadership programs to strengthen Jewish identity, particularly among European youth. The fund conducts seminars, conferences, and charitable projects to foster understanding and combat anti-Semitism.
World Holocaust Forum Foundation (WHFF)
Initiated by Kantor in 2005, the WHFF focuses on preserving the memory of the Holocaust worldwide. Under his leadership, international forums and events are organized to commemorate significant Holocaust-related anniversaries and promote dialogue against intolerance.
Kantor Centre for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry
Founded in 2010 at Tel Aviv University in Israel, the Kantor Centre publishes its annual “Antisemitism Worldwide Report,” providing a comprehensive overview of global antisemitism trends, causes, and expressions.
Honours and Awards
Vyacheslav Kantor‘s tireless dedication to combating racism and promoting tolerance has earned him numerous honours and awards. Notable accolades include being named an Honorary Citizen of Veliky Novgorod, receiving the Knight’s Grand Cross of the Order of Merit from Italy in 2013, and the National Order of the Legion of Honour Officer from France in 2015. His inclusion in the Jerusalem Post’s “50 Most Influential Jews in the World” for eight consecutive years attests to his global impact.
Global Philanthropy
Viatcheslav Kantor actively supports various causes through personal and financial contributions. His philanthropic endeavours include fundraising to rebuild a psychoneurological nursing home after a devastating fire and donations to organizations like the Community Security Trust, the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, the Kantor King Solomon School and the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
Private Life
Vyacheslav Kantor resides with his wife, Anna, and is a father to five children—four sons and one daughter.
Forbes Estimates and Recent Developments
As Forbes estimated at the end of 2018, Vyacheslav Kantor’s fortune was valued at $3.8 billion, securing him 29th place in Russia and 546th globally. His continued commitment to global issues, philanthropy, and corporate leadership positions suggests a dynamic and influential trajectory in the years following this estimate.
Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth (in billions) |
| 2014 | 2 Billion |
| 2015 | 2.3 Billion |
| 2016 | 2.5 Billion |
| 2017 | 3.1 Billion |
| 2018 | 3.7 Billion |
| 2019 | 3.8 Billion |
| 2020 | 4 Billion |
| 2021 | 4.5 Billion |
| 2022 | 4.6 Billion |
| 2023 | 11.3 Billion |
Controversy and Sanctions
Viatcheslav Kantor Under International Scrutiny Post-Ukraine Invasion
Vyacheslav Kantor, a Russian businessman and former president of the European Jewish Congress, is known for his extensive art collection, particularly focused on Russian artists of Jewish descent. His collection forms the core of Moscow’s Museum of Avant-Garde Mastery (MAGMA), boasting the world’s largest private assortment of 20th-century Russian avant-garde art, with a special emphasis on the period up to 1930.
In 2010, Kantor expressed MAGMA’s mission as bringing back to Russia the artistic legacy of individuals whose names had been “appropriated” by other countries. He aimed to reveal that renowned artists in Europe and America, celebrated in global museums, were originally Russian. He highlighted figures like Marc Chagall, Chaim Soutine, Ilya Kabakov, Erik Bulatov, and Grisha Bruskin.
Forbes estimated Kantor’s wealth at $12.7 billion in 2022. Kantor earned his fortune in the fertilizer industry, leading the Acron Group, a major Russian fertilizer manufacturer that he acquired in 1993 after the Soviet Union’s dissolution. In 2018, the President of the Russian Academy of Arts honoured Kantor, making him an honorary member and awarding him a robe and diploma.
However, Kantor faced international scrutiny following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The U.K. imposed sanctions on him shortly after the war began, and investigations were initiated into two of his charitable organizations. This increased attention on Kantor is part of a broader global reaction to key figures associated with the conflict.
Further sanction details
Vyacheslav Kantor, formerly employed at the Azot chemical plant in Novgorod, is now the majority shareholder of “Akron,” a major fertilizer producer in Russia. The company, previously known as Akron Chemical Plant, was privatized in 1993. Currently, “Akron” plays a significant role in sectors that contribute substantial revenue to the Russian government. Unfortunately, it is implicated in supporting actions that pose a threat to the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine, as evidenced by the military actions and civilian genocide initiated by the Russian government.
Summary
Viacheslav Kantor, born in Moscow in 1953, began his career in space research before venturing into entrepreneurship. As the leader of Acron Group, he transformed it into a major global fertilizer producer. Kantor held political roles in Russia, advising on economic matters. Internationally, he’s known for his leadership in advocacy organizations, combating racism and promoting tolerance.
Despite his philanthropy, recent controversy surrounds Kantor due to his connections with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Facing sanctions from the U.K., investigations into his charities are underway. Forbes estimated his wealth at $12.7 billion in 2022, but his reputation is under scrutiny as global reactions to key figures involved in the conflict intensify.
