Our Chaiman

Born in 1965, Valentin Zlatev founded the first company of the group – Agrohold JSC in 1990. 


He is the sole shareholder of the conglomerate with diversified investments in
different sectors of the economy.
Mr. Valentin Zlatev is a prominent and highly respected businessperson, manager, and investor.

From 1994 to 1998 Valentin Zlatev served as Vice-President of Rosneft Oil Company in Moscow. Afterwards, from 1998 to 2020, he held a number of senior leadership roles in Lukoil, including Regional Manager for the Balkans, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Lukoil Neftochim Refinery Bulgaria, and CEO & Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Lukoil Bulgaria.

Between 2014 and 2019 he has been elected Chairman of the Bulgarian Petroleum and Gas Association.

He holds a Master’s degree in International Law from the Moscow State University of International Relations and a Ph.D. in Comparative Politics from the Russian Academy of Science. At an international level, he has distinguished himself by publishing several books and articles on geopolitics including: “Oil, Gas and Geopolitics” (2000);
“Globalization and the Business of Oil and Gas” (p.2001); “The Vector of Changes and Globalization” published in the book “Dilemmas of Globalization – Societies and Civilizations: Illusions and Risks (2002).
The successful entrepreneurial skills of Valentin Zlatev, earned him international recognition as he was awarded a Doctor Honoris Causa by the prestigious City University of Seattle, Washington, in 2003.