Britain’s oldest school accepted a “major donation” from a close ally of Vladimir Putin, who has now been sanctioned by the UK for his role in the Ukraine conflict.
According to a MailOnline investigation, King’s School in Canterbury, Kent, which charges £41,000 per year for boarding students, accepted funds from a company founded and run by Dmitry Mazepin, 64.
It is unknown how much money Russian fertilizer producer Uralchem JSC donated to the school, but it was listed as a’major benefactor’ between 2011 and 2018.
Uralchem, headquartered in Moscow, produces a variety of chemicals, including ammonium nitrate.
Mr Mazepin, who was born in Belarus, is accused of being in Vladimir Putin’s “closest circle” by the EU, which sanctioned him earlier this year following the invasion of Ukraine. The United Kingdom quickly followed suit with their own restrictions. His son Nikita, who was a Haas F1 driver before being fired, was also targeted after benefiting from his father’s money.
Assets are frozen, and EU companies and individuals are prohibited from making money available to them. They are also barred from traveling.
Mr Mazepin resigned as CEO of Uralchem and sold 52 percent of his 100 percent stake in the company just days after the EU restrictions were imposed.
On January 14, the billionaire was photographed meeting Putin, just one month before the military advance stunned the world on February 24.
He is also said to have met with the Russian president, as well as other businessmen, on the day of the invasion to discuss the implications of sanctions.
King’s has close ties to Russia, accepting funds from five other companies or parents, none of whom have been sanctioned by the UK.
During a recent visit to Moscow, the school’s then-headmaster, Peter Roberts, led a delegation of adults from the school to the capital in 2019.
Uralchem and the school have both refused to respond to questions about donations and Mr Mazepin.
An anti-corruption charity described it as “incredibly concerning,” and Dame Margaret Hodge, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Anti-Corruption and Responsible Taxation, stated that “our defences against dirty money have been overrun.”
Dame Margaret, Labour MP for Barking, told MailOnline: ‘Russian oligarchs only get and keep their wealth because they are close to Putin. They then launder that corrupt, stolen wealth into the UK.
‘Our defences against dirty money have been overrun and that means it finds its way into British institutions, like our schools.
‘The Government must swiftly act to stop Britain being the jurisdiction of choice for money launderers and our schools must carry out proper due diligence to stop accepting students funded by oligarchs. Schools must be places of education, not safe havens for dirty cash.’
Susan Hawley, the Executive Director of Spotlight on Corruption, said: ‘It is incredibly concerning that a school has been receiving money from someone who is now sanctioned by the government.
‘The whole education sector needs to get a firm grip on the risks of accepting money from actors in states that are hostile to the UK.’
Mr Mazepin was first hit by sanctions from the EU on March 9 in a 64-page document.
It mentioned an alleged February 24 meeting as proof of his closeness to the Russian president.
The document said: ‘The fact that he was invited to attend this meeting shows that he is a member of the closest circle of Vladimir Putin and that he is supporting or implementing actions or policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, as well as stability and security in Ukraine.’
He was then targeted by the UK Government on March 15 over his position on the Board of Directors for Uralchem Group and his role as CEO of that JSC division company.
The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation say ‘He is or has been involved in obtaining a benefit from or supporting the Government of Russia’.
It adds that the chemical sector is ‘Of strategic significance to the government of Russia’.
By then Uralchem had announced he had stepped down as CEO and sold 52% of his 100% shares in the company.
The Russian company manufactures a wide range of chemicals, including mineral fertilizers and ammoniac saltpeter.
Mr Mazepin founded it in 2007, and he was the CEO of the £94.2 billion firm, with his son Nikita serving as a former board member.
Mr Mazepin is also well-known for his support of the Formula One Haas team, which his son drove until recently.
According to a document obtained by MailOnline, Uralchem JSC was a “Major Benefactor” from 2011 to 2018.
Meanwhile, the school’s management organization underwent a change around the time the Ukraine war broke out.
Rev Dr Robert Willis, King’s Chairman of Governors, announced Peter Roberts’ retirement as head teacher on March 7.
In the note, he explained that the decision was not taken lightly by the head, and that he and his wife intended to retire to France.
‘You will appreciate that with his devotion to you and to every aspect of the school, this is not a decision that has been taken lightly,’ it continued.
King’s, which has famous alumni such as Orlando Bloom and David Gower, receives funding from a variety of sources.
However, it has also developed close ties with Russia.
King’s Director of Development spoke about their trip to Moscow to attend the World Schools Show in March 2018.
They claimed it was to introduce local families and educational agents to the King’s School and Canterbury International College.
The director said at the time: ‘King’s reputation for and evidence of success, as well as its very broad offering of facilities and subjects, is unrivalled, and it was very encouraging to meet so many parents who want the very best education for their children. The International College is the newest part of our ancient school and we are excited at the number of inquiries we are receiving.
‘The King’s family is a truly global community and it is important to us to keep in touch and build a strong network of support. Moscow is a beautiful city and it was a pleasure to spend time in such good company.’
A significant donation to the school was also revealed during the Mr Roberts-led 2019 delegation to Moscow.
A report on the visit said: ‘Dmitry Mendeleev, a direct descendant of the world famous Russian scientist of the same name, who had kindly donated enough to enable a new science laboratory to be built- what largesse.’
Uralchem and King’s School did not respond to requests for comment.
Mr Mazepinis is said to have filed lawsuits at the EU Court of Justice to overturn the sanctions, which he claims are unjustified.