Expert on roads: what is known about the Acting Minister of Transport Andrey Nikitin

On Monday, July 7, Deputy Minister of Transport Andrey Nikitin was appointed Acting Minister of Transport. Roman Starovoit, who previously held this position, has been dismissed. The main stages of Nikitin's biography are described in the Izvestia article.

New Acting Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation: what is known

On Monday, July 7, Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed Deputy Minister of Transport Andrey Nikitin to the post of Acting Minister of Transport.

Putin also held a working meeting with Nikitin. The President noted that he is ready to support his appointment as minister if the parliament makes a positive decision. According to him, transport is one of the most important industries.

"I hope that you will use all your strength, knowledge, skills, and organizational abilities to solve the most important tasks in this area," Putin said.

The President added that Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin highly appreciates Nikitin's business and personal qualities and the results of his work. For his part, the acting minister promised to do everything necessary for the development of the industry.

"We are the largest country in the world, and we must have the most efficient transport system. Our economy and our people need this," he stressed.

According to presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Nikitin's working qualities, in the opinion of the head of state, will best contribute to ensuring that the Russian Ministry of Transport performs its functions.

Commenting on the reasons for Roman Starovoit's resignation, he noted that there is no wording about loss of confidence in the presidential decree.

Biography of Andrey Nikitin

Andrey Nikitin was born on November 26, 1979 in Moscow. In 2001, he graduated from the State University of Management with a degree in State and Municipal Management, and completed postgraduate studies in 2006. During his studies, he completed an internship at the State Duma, and a pre—graduate internship at the presidential administration. Doctor of Economics, received an EMBA degree from the Stockholm School of Economics in 2008.

Andrey Nikitin is known to have extensive experience in leadership positions. He worked in various companies, including in the field of production of computer components and investments.

From 2002 to 2011, he held senior positions in the Ruskomposite Group of companies.

In 2011, Andrey Nikitin was elected Director General of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI), where he was engaged in promoting new projects and supporting entrepreneurship. Under his leadership, ASI has implemented a number of important initiatives to promote innovation and modernize the economy. He remained in this position until 2017.

On February 13, 2017, President Vladimir Putin appointed him acting governor of the Novgorod Region. On September 10 of the same year, he was elected governor of the region, running for United Russia. On September 11, 2022, Nikitin was re-elected, receiving over 77% of the vote. One of the main tasks that the head of the region was engaged in was the roads that were in poor condition before the arrival of the new head of the region. He successfully completed the task. Also, as governor, Nikitin contributed to the development of special economic zones, business incubators and technology parks.

On February 7, 2025, Nikitin moved to the post of Deputy Minister of Transport of Russia Roman Starovoit. Here he oversaw the digital transformation, informatization and automation of the transport complex, the development and implementation of its development strategy.

Nikitin is a member of the Supervisory Board of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives. He has a number of state awards — the Order of Alexander Nevsky, medals of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, II and I degrees, as well as the President's commendation. Married, his wife Maya Viktorovna is a doctor. The family has two children.