Ivan Savvidis was born on 27 March 1959 in the Greek village of Santa, in the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. After completing his studies and serving in the army, he started working in the Rostov Tobacco Factory. He went all the way to get appointed General Manager of the factory in 1993.

He founded «AgrokomGroup» Holding Company in 2004 and since then his company has been one of Russia’s biggest, employing more than 15.000 people.

In 1998 Ivan Savvidis kicked off his political career and he was member of the Legislative Assembly of the Rostov region up to 2003. In December 2003 he was elected member of the State Duma of 4th convocation and was reelected in 2007.

Ivan Savvidis’ public, social and economic activities and his contribution to the social and financial development of Russia have earned him numerous state awards. In 2013, the Greek government awarded him the status of honorary citizen of Greece for his contribution in strengthening the bond between Greece and Russia.

Since purchasing PAOK FC in 2012, he has extended his investments in Northern Greece, acquiring also SEKAP, Makedonia Palace, Xenia Paliouri and Souroti among others.

Ivan Savvidis is especially sensible to all social causes and has brought to life a charitable foundation that bears his name. He is supporting the doctors of AHEPA, financing the Pontian Studies department of the Thessaloniki University and boosting many scientific, educational, research and charitable projects. He is a passionate advocate of Greeks abroad and is working hard for Pontian Greeks and Orthodoxy.

Ivan Savvidis has a doctorate in Economic Science and has published various essays on marketing and logistics. He is married and has two sons.