Profile: Kretov Aleksandr

Kretov Aleksandr’s favourite mantra: “The future begins today.”

Aleksandr, shareholder of the Ariant Group of Companies, is an esteemed entrepreneur with a commitment to social responsibility and sustainable practices. He was born in Chelyabinsk in 1972, where he spent his childhood nurturing a passion for entrepreneurship and innovation.

In 1989, he entered the Chelyabinsk Polytechnic Institute, today known as the South Ural State University, successfully completing a five-year course in Electrical Engineering. He graduated with a degree in the discipline and then went on to achieve even higher education at the Financial University, specializing in Finance and Credit, graduating as a qualified economist in 1996.

A year earlier, Aleksandr led the construction of the Centre for the Food Industry – Ariant in Chelyabinsk. In the five years the company evolved, it acquired vineyards in the esteemed wine-producing region of Krasnodar. Under Kretov’s expert guidance, the dilapidated winemaking centre, originally established as Kuban-Vino in the 1950s, underwent comprehensive restoration and modernization, reclaiming its former prestige. This transformative endeavor not only became Kretov’s primary business focus but also marked a significant milestone in both his career and Ariant’s history.

Aleksandr has established himself as the innovative founder of a new winemaking enterprise. Through effective partnerships with grape growers and international oenologists, he has revived the tradition of good wine in the region. Today, Ariant crafts exceptional wines that embody excellence.

Aleksandr recalls: “When we entered the grape-growing industry 20 years ago, we discovered that there were very few vineyards. This was a period marked by an anti-alcohol campaign, which resulted in soaring alcohol prices, sales restrictions, and the loss of vineyards. We started everything from scratch – and today we cultivate 8,500 hectares of vineyards and have increased the planting area by an average of 500 hectares annually. We pay great attention to the quality of the grapes. In 2020, we harvested 68,187 tons of the highest quality produce.”

In 2016, Aleksandr took on the role of CEO at Agrofirma Ariant LLC, which specializes in meat production. Once again, he focused on improving and upgrading the company’s technical and technological operations, fostering its expansion, and guaranteeing its long-term prosperity.

In 2019, he became Deputy CEO for Development at the Center for the Food Industry – Ariant LLC. In 2020, when Ariant Group of Companies was established, Kretov Aleksandr simultaneously became its shareholder.

Beyond his business endeavors, Aleksandr is well-regarded for his philanthropic contributions and support of local initiatives in his birth town, such as the development of youth sports facilities, and self promotes an active lifestyle by participating in various sports like football, tennis, swimming, cycling, and yoga. He also enjoys traveling.

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