Iskander Kakhramonovich Makhmudov is a Russian businessman, the self-made billionaire Founder and President of the Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company (UMMC), one of Russia's largest copper producers. Born in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, in 1963, his career is rooted in the high-stakes, post-Soviet metals and mining sector.

Makhmudov received an elite education in Eastern Studies from Tashkent State University in 1984, specializing in Arabic. He worked as a translator for a group of Soviet military advisors in Libya (1984–1986) and Iraq (1986–1988). This unique background provided him with extensive international connections and a deep understanding of foreign commerce during the critical period of Soviet collapse, positioning him for large-scale commodity acquisitions.

• Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company (UMMC) (Founder & President): The core private asset, one of Russia's largest copper producers (controlling 40 percent of Russian cathode copper at its peak).
• Early Career: He worked as a translator in Libya and Iraq for Soviet military specialists.
• Industrial Diversification: He founded Transmashholding, a major producer of rolling stock for railways (electric locomotives and carriages).
• Controversy: He has faced money laundering accusations and links to organized crime groups in Europe (which he denies).

Iskander Makhmudov's strategic genius was his pivot from external commerce (working at Uzbekintorg) to acquiring copper enterprises in Russia in the mid-1990s. In 1999, he created the Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company (UMMC), consolidating over 40 enterprises spanning mining, non-ferrous metallurgy, and mechanical construction. UMMC achieved market dominance, controlling 40 percent of Russian cathode copper at its peak.

His diversification into the railway sector was highly strategic: he co-founded Transmashholding, which became the largest producer of rolling stock for railways in Russia. His wealth is secured by the colossal, long-term profitability of the global copper and metals market. Makhmudov's career is marked by high-profile legal scrutiny in Spain and London over money laundering and corruption allegations, reflecting the challenging financial landscape of post-Soviet industrial consolidation.

Iskander Makhmudov's social impact is structural, stemming from UMMC's role as a massive industrial employer (over 25,000 employees) and foundational supplier of copper and metals for global manufacturing. His companies contribute significantly to Russia's industrial base and national infrastructure (railways).

His career is often cited for illustrating the high-stakes, complex process of post-Soviet resource consolidation, marked by massive wealth generation and political entanglement. His personal philanthropy supports various community and educational initiatives.

Iskander Makhmudov maintains the professional, composed style of a Russian industrial executive. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored suits. His aesthetic reflects stability and immense financial authority, often blending his military and industrial backgrounds.

Residing in Russia and frequently traveling to Europe, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to industrial scale, resource control, and navigating the complex legal and political environment of the metals and mining sector.