Biography
Yuri Shefler — businessman with roots in the USSR
Yuri Shefler is a Russian-born billionaire who controls SPI Group — the company that owns the Stolichnaya (Stoli) vodka brand internationally and a portfolio of premium spirits. He left Russia in 2002 after conflicts with the Russian state over the vodka brand's ownership and has lived in London since, becoming a British citizen.
Russian Connection
Tracing the roots — Moscow (Russia)
Born in Moscow in 1965, Shefler acquired the rights to Stolichnaya outside Russia in the chaotic post-Soviet privatisation era. His departure from Russia and long legal battle with the Russian government over the vodka brand — which he won internationally — is one of the defining stories of Russian business exile.
Family Tree
Subject
Yuri Shefler🇬🇧 UK
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Self (Born there)
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Origin
Moscow (Russia)🇷🇺 USSR
Historical context
Soviet Union (USSR) · 1922–1991
Moscow (Russia). At the time, this region was one of the fifteen republics of the Soviet Union.
Map: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
Key Achievements
A career defined by ambition
01
Controls SPI Group — owns Stolichnaya (Stoli) vodka internationally
02
Won international legal battle against Russian state over Stolichnaya brand
03
SPI Group portfolio includes Moskovskaya, Pervak, and other premium spirits
04
British citizen based in London
05
Major philanthropist in the UK and internationally
Sources