Denis Gorbunenko was born on December 9, 1973, in Donetsk, Ukraine. He holds multiple prestigious degrees, including a Master's in Business Administration from Oxford Brookes University (1998), where he focused on foreign direct investment in the Ukrainian market.
With over 30 years of experience in the financial sector since the early 1990s, Denis Gorbunenko commenced his career as a student. He held prominent positions in major Ukrainian banks, including INCO and Kreditprombank, and is recognized for transforming Rodovid Bank into one of Ukraine's largest and fastest-growing institutions by 2009. That same year, he redirected his focus to personal investment projects and relocated to the UK with his family.
Over the past 15 years, Denis Gorbunenko has actively invested in private equity and international projects, particularly in finance, banking, property, and construction. His investment banking firms provide comprehensive advisory services, including financial planning, capital raising, and risk management.
Denis Gorbunenko has received the title of "Banker of the Year" on multiple occasions (2007 and 2008) and was recognized as one of the top five in the "Young Entrepreneur of the Year" study in 2008. Under his leadership, banks have received numerous accolades, including recognition as the most dynamic in the 'MasterCard Bank of the Year' contest and awards from Visa for innovative card programs. Denis Gorbunenko has been featured in Forbes (2007) and Focus (2007, 2008) among the richest individuals in Ukraine.
Business and Career
Denis Gorbunenko began his professional journey in banking and finance over 30 years ago as a student at the State Donetsk Academy. From 1992 to 2009, he held various positions in major Ukrainian banks, including INKO and Kreditprombank. He also managed international operations at Kyiv International Bank, one of the first Ukrainian financial institutions with foreign investment from Rabobank (Netherlands) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
A pivotal moment in Denis Gorbunenko’s career occurred in 2004 when he became a leader and shareholder of Rodovid Bank. At that time, the bank was struggling with operational inefficiencies and a lack of market confidence. Gorbunenko set an ambitious goal to transform it into a market leader. Under his leadership, Rodovid Bank underwent significant restructuring and modernization, implementing new technology systems, enhancing customer service, and expanding its product offerings.
From 2004 to 2009, Rodovid Bank achieved remarkable financial performance. The bank's assets grew substantially, increasing from approximately UAH 1.5 billion in January 2004 to over UAH 13 billion in January 2009. This period also saw a significant rise in deposits, which surged as public confidence in the institution grew. Rodovid Bank's lending portfolio expanded rapidly, particularly in retail banking, where it became one of the top players in the Ukrainian market. The bank received numerous accolades for its innovative financial products and customer service, securing its position among Ukraine’s leading financial institutions.
In 2009, Denis Gorbunenko decided to focus on personal investment projects, leading to his relocation to the UK with his family.
In 2012, Denis Gorbunenko invested £3 million in the British brokerage firm Seymour Pierce, aiming to acquire a controlling stake in the company. This investment was part of his strategy to expand his presence in the UK financial markets and leverage Seymour Pierce's established reputation in the brokerage industry. The firm had a strong client base and offered a range of services, including corporate finance and equity research, which aligned with his expertise in investment banking.
However, the planned acquisition did not materialize due to the unexpected sale of the asset to a competitor by the former director.
In 2013, Denis Gorbunenko made a significant investment in an Austrian investment group by acquiring Epic Telecom Invest Limited, now known as Raga Establishment Limited, which held rights to the strategic telecom asset Ukrtelecom in Ukraine. This investment led Raga Establishment to initiate a legal dispute concerning the sale of Ukrtelecom, seeking payment related to the transaction. The matter escalated into arbitration proceedings in London. Following years of negotiations and legal deliberations, the dispute was resolved in 2020 with a settlement agreement that favored Raga Establishment Limited.
Between 2019 and 2020, Denis Gorbunenko pursued the acquisition of Sich Bank, a regional player in the Ukrainian banking sector known for its focus on retail banking and lending to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). His interest in Sich Bank was motivated by the institution's growth potential and the opportunity to enhance its market position. The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine granted approval for the acquisition. However, despite receiving regulatory approval, the acquisition did not proceed due to commercial considerations, including market conditions, strategic alignment, and the financial health of the bank. Subsequently, Sich Bank was withdrawn from the market, concluding Gorbunenko's attempt to enter this segment of the Ukrainian banking landscape. This approach underscores his strategic and prudent investment philosophy, emphasizing long-term viability and growth.
Denis Gorbunenko is currently engaged in a variety of investment projects in the UK and other locations worldwide, focusing on banking and finance, real estate, and construction. His investment banking firms provide services including financial planning, strategic asset management, capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, and risk management. His involvement encompasses both strategic oversight and operational management.
He is actively dedicating his time to real estate development, focusing on the acquisition and refurbishment of high-end residential properties, as well as managing premium assets for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) in the UK and beyond.
Family
Denis Gorbunenko was born into a family with a strong professional background; his father, Volodymyr, worked at the State Bank of the USSR, while his mother, Valentyna, is a doctor-biologist.
He has built a stable and happy family, having been married for almost 30 years to his wife, Olena, with whom he has four children.
Denis Gorbunenko currently resides in London, UK, with his family. He has a keen interest in modern technologies and painting, particularly the works of contemporary Ukrainian artists.