Irina Belysheva: An International Career in Wealth Management

Date of birth	May 27, 1985
Place of birth	Cheboksary
Education	Higher School of Economics
Occupation	Expert in private banking, investor
Workplace	CEO of WILCO company
Family status	Three children
Hobbies	Reading, vocal, horseback riding, swimming

Irina Belysheva is a wealth management executive whose career spans from industrial exports to private banking across multiple international markets. With expertise developed through roles at major financial institutions and specialized training in financial advisory services, she has established herself as a leader in providing tailored financial solutions for high-net-worth clients.

From Local Roots to Global Finance

Irina Belysheva was born in Cheboksary on May 27, 1985, where a dental professional mother and maternal grandmother provided her upbringing. School No. 4, which transformed into an English-focused gymnasium in 1993, became the foundation upon which she built her language skills from first grade onward.

The specialized institution offered intensive English studies complemented by cultural immersion through American and English literature courses. Despite showing remarkable academic aptitude and earning excellent marks consistently, financial constraints prevented Belysheva Irina Vladimirovna from participating in the American exchange program that became available to students after 1991. The school principal, who doubled as her English instructor, played a crucial role in developing a curriculum that encouraged thinking patterns aligned with native speakers.

2002 marked her graduation with a gold medal, after which her educational path diverged from her mother’s medical aspirations for her. Though initially drawn toward journalism as the future for her professional biography, Irina Belysheva ultimately selected the Faculty of World Economy and World Politics at the Higher School of Economics following her mother’s advice about continuing her language studies. This choice required mastering two foreign languages – she maintained English while adding Spanish to her linguistic portfolio.

Academic performance at HSE operated under a distinctive rating system that significantly motivated Irina Belysheva’s studies. The university divided academic years into four modules rather than traditional semesters, distributing examinations more evenly throughout the program. Consistently ranking among the top five students in cumulative ratings, Belysheva Irina maintained scholarship eligibility through dedicated study habits. This structured educational environment rewarded consistent knowledge acquisition rather than last-minute preparation, establishing work patterns that would characterize her future professional approach.

Irina Belysheva: International Experience and Perspective Building

In 2005, Irina Belysheva participated in the Work and Travel USA program, spending the summer working at an amusement park in California. When the complex experienced a power outage, management assigned her to handle the cash register because she could calculate quickly without a calculator. During this brief period of her biography, Irina Belysheva took full advantage of her time in America, traveling extensively to:

• New York
• Buffalo
• New Jersey
• Las Vegas
• San Diego
• Santa Barbara
• Mexico

2007 brought another significant international opportunity when Belysheva Irina Vladimirovna won a grant to study at Pablo de Olavide University in Seville. This six-month Spanish education significantly broadened her horizons, with all completed coursework counting toward her HSE program requirements. Upon returning to Moscow, she achieved excellent grades on both state examinations and her thesis before graduating that same year.

A decade later, from 2017 to 2021, Irina Vladimirovna Belysheva pursued professional development through the Future Personal Banker Today program at the Skolkovo Moscow School of Management. This training complemented her concurrent enrollment in the Associate Wealth Manager program at AZEK between 2020 and 2021. The Swiss educational platform provided specialized financial expertise that enhanced her growing international credentials.

Industrial Sector Leadership

In 2006, while still in her third year at university, Irina Belysheva began her career as an analyst in Investsberbank’s marketing department. The head of the product division quickly recognized her capabilities after she successfully solved an analytical problem during an interview, resulting in a promotion to Senior Specialist. At the bank, Belysheva Irina worked on market research, product concept development, business plan preparation, and project management while while also contributing to the development of the Visa Instant Issue card program.

After graduating, Belysheva Irina Vladimirovna took an unexpected career turn when she was offered a position at LLC CHETRA: Components and Spare Parts. At just 22 years old, she became Director of the Client Development Center, where she conducted market research, created distribution networks, negotiated with foreign companies, and managed client relations for the construction equipment spare parts supplier. The annual sales volume associated with her efforts exceeded $500,000.

February 2008 marked the beginning of numerous international business trips for Irina Vladimirovna Belysheva, starting with negotiations in Italy where she visited spare parts manufacturing plants. She also traveled twice to Chile and participated in the Exponor 2009 exhibition in Santiago. Additional business travel included Argentina for the Arminera 2009 exhibition, Greece for the International Association of Pipeline and Offshore Contractors conference, and representing the Group’s interests at the Intergovernmental Russian-Chilean and Russian-Venezuelan Commissions.

In September 2009, Belysheva Irina relocated to Moscow. She had a brief stint as a project coordinator at John Deere Rus.

Belysheva Irina: Evolution Through Banking Institutions

In 2012, Irina Belysheva made a pivotal career shift when a friend working at Citibank suggested she move into the banking industry. December of that year marked her entry into the financial institution as a client relationship manager, where she attracted premium and private segment clients, built and maintained client relationships, conducted personal financial planning, and provided brokerage service advice. During the Citibank period of her biography, Irina Belysheva obtained a FSFR 1.0 certificate, gaining valuable banking experience until 2015.

From 2015 to 2016, Belysheva Irina Vladimirovna served as a private banker at VTB 24 Private Banking. Her responsibilities expanded to include attracting high and ultra-high net worth clients with an annual target of approximately USD 30 – 35 million in net inflow, managing their funds and financial activities, and increasing investment product shares in client portfolios. Irina Vladimirovna Belysheva also managed foreign assets using existing banking platforms in Guernsey, while assisting clients with de-offshorization and capital amnesty.

August 2016 began Belysheva Irina’s tenure at Alfa-Bank’s A-Club division (renamed Alfa Private in April 2017), initially as Senior Financial Advisor before her promotion to the manager of a group of bankers in 2017. At Alfa-Bank, she was drawn to what she described as the organization’s “explosive DNA,” corporate culture, and client-centric approach. Her role encompassed developing relationships with high-net-worth clients, asset management, tax consulting, loan and credit consulting, and supporting major transactions. Belysheva Irina also built and managed a team, provided mentoring, and managed sales and performance KPIs until leaving the bank in February 2019.

In 2019, Irina Vladimirovna Belysheva joined Sber Private Banking as a Senior Banker, later advancing to Group Manager. Her work with Ultra-High-Net-Worth clients and Family Offices involved leading a team of two banking groups, expanding the client base, enhancing the professional experience of team bankers, supporting major one-off transactions, and structuring wealth for ultra-high-net-worth clients. During her time at Sberbank, assets under management grew substantially from 150 to 500 billion rubles.

Building Wealth Management Systems

At Sberbank, Irina Belysheva, biography of whom is connected with several financial institutions, recalls the trusting and open atmosphere that allowed her to maximize professional potential. The period represented a time of significant deals and substantial growth for the bank. One of the key strategic development areas involved processing substantial transactions through a dedicated unit located in Cyprus.

The creation of a personalized service system for wealthy clients with offices in both Cyprus and other jurisdictions became a cornerstone achievement for Belysheva Irina Vladimirovna. Using a comprehensive approach to VIP clients adopted at Sberbank, she established direct contacts with each key service consumer, ensuring tailored financial solutions matched specific client needs. This methodology prioritized relationship development alongside financial expertise.

In managing her unit, Irina Vladimirovna Belysheva successfully integrated the team into the overall bank structure, providing clients with access to a complete range of financial services through a single service window. This integration format enabled effective communication between various bank departments, streamlining processes for high-value clients while maintaining comprehensive oversight of their financial requirements.

In 2022, Belysheva Irina Vladimirovna took on a role at Wealth IQ Solutions, which received an investment advisory license in January 2023. The organization offered services including:

• individual investment strategy creation
• tax consulting
• risk minimization strategies for private capital
• assistance with personal funds creation

Its client base encompassed capital owners, family offices, independent financial experts, and financial institutions. She left this structure in 2024.

Irina Belysheva has also briefly helped develop business at TT Advisory Based in Tbilisi, Georgia, the organization offered asset management consulting, investment advice, and securities trading services. Building an international partner network across Switzerland, Singapore, Cyprus, Georgia, and UAE allowed the company to provide clients with wide-ranging individual solutions from traditional capital preservation instruments to alternative asset classes.

Irina Vladimirovna Belysheva: Armenian Market Innovation and Future Vision

In 2020, Irina Belysheva received an invitation from an Evocabank shareholder to join the development program for private banking and wealth management. This bank is a leading digital financial institution in Armenia. While initially recommending professional acquaintances due to commitments at Sberbank, she ultimately accepted the offer to work on the project in 2023, attracted by decision-making autonomy and an extensive international clientele.

The initial plan for Belysheva Irina to help with private banking at Evocabank evolved when the team decided to follow a financial group model. This strategic shift led to the acquisition of WILCO, a wealth management company, where Belysheva Irina Vladimirovna now serves as CEO, having moved to Armenia in February 2024. Under her leadership, the company aims to become a key player in the Armenian private banking market while integrating into international financial infrastructure.

Armenia serves as a launching pad for international expansion in the strategy implemented by Irina Vladimirovna Belysheva. With a lot of Armenians living abroad, WILCO focuses on working with diaspora members willing to invest in Armenian projects. The company targets clients with assets from $2 million and implements the Family Governance concept for building intrafamily relationships and ensuring business management continuity.

Outside her professional achievements, Belysheva Irina has three children who attend the Cambridge International School of Armenia. Her personal interests include music, swimming,tennis, and equestrian sports.

Key Takeaways from the Irina Belysheva Biography

• She graduated with a gold medal in 2002 and chose to study at the Faculty of World Economy and World Politics at the Higher School of Economics.
• In 2005, Irina Belysheva participated in the Work and Travel USA program, which allowed her to work and travel to a number of cities and states in the U.S., and even to Mexico.
• In 2012, Irina Vladimirovna Belysheva shifted her career to banking when she joined Citibank as a client relationship manager.
• At Sberbank, Irina Belysheva helped execute major transactions through a specialized division in Cyprus.
• Belysheva Irina Vladimirovna now serves as CEO of WILCO, a wealth management company.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How old is Irina Belysheva?

In May 2025, Irina Belysheva will turn 40.

2. How long did Belysheva Irina work at Sberbank?

Belysheva Irina worked at Sberbank for about four years, from 2019 to 2023.

3. Where does Irina Vladimirovna Belysheva live?

As of 2025, Irina Vladimirovna Belysheva lives in Armenia.

4. Where did Belysheva Irina Vladimirovna begin her banking career?

In 2012, Belysheva Irina Vladimirovna began her banking career at Citibank as a client relationship manager.

5. What position does Belysheva Irina currently hold at WILCO?

Belysheva Irina currently serves as CEO of WILCO.

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