Jiří Šmejc Bio

Jiří Šmejc is a graduate of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at Charles University in Prague, with a specialization in Mathematical Economics and Information Technology. In 1992, Jiří set up the IT company PUPP Consulting and also began investing on capital markets. In 1995, he established Middle Europe Finance, a securities trading company specializing in mergers and acquisitions. Until the end of 2004, he owned a 34% stake in TV NOVA Group. He joined PPF Group in 2004 and became a shareholder in 2005. Among other positions, he has been a member of the Board of Directors of Generali PPF Holding. Jiří Šmejc oversaw Home Credit’s Russian operations and all of PPF Group’s activities in the Russian Federation, including Nomos Bank and the Eldorado retail chain. In August 2012, he set up his own investment group EMMA Capital, where he is the majority shareholder. In the same year, he and Petr Kellner agreed that Jiří would swap his 5% stake in PPF Group for 13% of Home Credit Group. Jiří has held numerous senior management positions in Home Credit, including the Group’s CEO from 2012 to 2018. In May 2022, he accepted an offer from Renáta Kellnerová and her family to take over the management of PPF Group.