Born in Moscow, Russia in 1963.

Business.

In 1992 Mark established The Whitehall Group, which progressively became the leading Russian importer and distributer of premium wines & spirits.

Under Mark’s leadership Whitehall was the very first to introduce to the Russian market French Champagne and Cognac, Scottish and Irish whiskey as well as Chilean and US wines.
For years Mark been very enthusiastic promoter of the wine culture in Russia. He wrote four books about wines (Chile, Israel, New Zealand, Australia ) as well as dozens of articles.

Whitehall wine collection finally included not only premium volume wines, but also over 300 world best wine producers from over 30 boutique Burgundy Domains to over 50 first growers from Australia and New Zealand and been once characterized by Robert Joseph (then editor in Chief of The Wine Magazine and President of International Wine
Challenge) as “the world’s biggest and finest wine collection in the trade”.

In 2000 Mark introduced the super luxury Kauffman vintage vodka, which been immediately rated as the “Best Russian vodka” by several most prestigious Russian vodka challenges as well as named “Best Russian Brand” in 2003.

First presented to the International Wine and Spirits Challenge in 2004 it immediately got more one – time awards, than any other white spirit over the history of this competition.
Mark sold his alcohol business in 2011.

Science.

Mark made his PhD in Economics in 2002 and Doctor of Science in 2006.
In the Russian Academy of Sciences Economics Institute he initially Chaired the Consumer Market research division in 2007 – 2010, and further in 2010 – 2013 Chaired the Center of Macroeconomics and Econometrics researchers.
He is the author of over 50 scientific publications, including 4 monographers.

Philanthropy.

It is already almost 20 years Mark is running Kaufman Charitable Foundation (www.kaufman-charity.com)
He is also the founding member of the Association of the Friends of Scientific Center of Monaco, as well as beneficiary member of Association of the friends of Oceanographic Museum of Monaco.

Decorations

• Order Bernardo O’Higgins (Chile)- Comendador (2003), promoted to Gran Oficial in 2005.
• Ordre du Mérite Agricole – ( France), Chevalier (2002)
• promoted to Officier in 2007 and to Commandeur in 2011.

Awards

• Earnest & Young Entrepreneur of the year 2006 (Russia)
• Mark is also the Keeper of the Quaich since 2003
• In 2017 Mark Kaufman been appointed by H.S.H Prince Albert II of Monaco as the first President of Monaco Whisky & Spirits Club.