Dear Colleagues,
As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance operational efficiency and reinforce our position as a dynamic and forward-looking organization, we continue adapting to new challenges and opportunities in a changing environment.
As discussed during recent Townhall and Board meetings, alongside achieving our strategic milestones, key projects, and operational sustainability, AIFC will further extend its focus to the following key areas:
Key Appointments
To ensure effective implementation of these strategic objectives, the Board of Directors (on October 9) and Management Board (on October 10) have approved several key staff appointments designed to enhance our financial, digital, and product development functions as follows:
Ms. Zhumagul Amankulova has been appointed Chief Financial Officer & Head of Administration, as well as Member of the Management Board.
Zhumagul graduated from the T. Ryskulov Kazakh Economic University (Narxoz) with a degree in Financial Management and holds certifications as a Professional Accountant and First Category Tax Consultant. She has vast experience in leadership positions at major international companies including Wood Group Kazakhstan, Amec Group Limited, Fircroft, and KIS/Orion.
Zhumagul will oversee (1) Budgeting; (2) Accounting, Tax and Treasury and (3) Administrative Departments.
Mr. Sairan Khamitov has been appointed Chief Digital Officer.
Sairan holds a master’s degree in information technology and management from the Illinois Institute of Technology (USA) and a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. He joined the AIFC Authority in 2019 leading key digital transformation and technology initiatives.
Sairan will lead (1) IT Operations and Cyber Security; (2) Project Management and Software Development; and (3) Data Analysis and Reporting Departments.
Mr. Zhanbolat Kakishev has been appointed Chief Product Officer.
Zhanbolat is a member of the Presidential Youth Personnel Reserve (2019). He holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from King’s College London (UK), an MBA in Finance and Energy from Rice University (USA), and a master’s in public administration from RANEPA (Russia). He has brought over 15 years of leadership experience across the energy, finance, and technology sectors. He will be responsible for (1) Product Development Platform; (2) Industry Analysis; and (3) Investments Departments.
Please join me in congratulating Zhumagul, Sairan, and Zhanbolat on their new roles!
I am confident that their expertise, dedication, and leadership will be instrumental to our continued shared success.
Appointment Process
While these appointments mark an important step in strengthening our strategic leadership capacity, we remain firmly committed to fostering a corporate culture that recognizes internal talent and supports professional growth within our team.
During the recruitment/appointment process, each appointee successfully completed an Executive Assessment conducted by an external firm, evaluating leadership potential, strategic thinking, and managerial competencies. This approach enabled an objective evaluation of their strengths and development areas, ensuring that key managerial roles were filled by the most qualified and effective leaders.
Functional Re-alignments
In addition, please be advised of the following organizational adjustments taking immediate effect:
I believe these changes will further strengthen AIFC Authority’s ability to operate with greater agility, innovation, and unity as we continue advancing our strategic vision and driving sustainable growth.
Regards,
Bakhtiyar Tleubekov
Chairman of the Management Board
“Astana International Financial Centre Authority” JSC
As discussed during recent Townhall and Board meetings, alongside achieving our strategic milestones, key projects, and operational sustainability, AIFC will further extend its focus to the following key areas:
- Strengthening front-line functions: building a robust talent pool, streamlining sales channels, expanding our agency network, and ensuring a high-quality customer experience. These steps are aimed to reaffirm our leadership as a center of excellence in the financial industry and a trusted partner for the business community, investors, and professional service providers.
- Sharpening digital agility: adopting advanced corporate technologies and decision-making tools to evolve into a more adaptive, smarter, and less bureaucratic organization. Also, further development of an AIFC digital ecosystem will be a cornerstone of this transformation positioning AIFC as a leading innovative digital financial center and aligning with Kazakhstan’s national priorities in AI and digitalization.
Key Appointments
To ensure effective implementation of these strategic objectives, the Board of Directors (on October 9) and Management Board (on October 10) have approved several key staff appointments designed to enhance our financial, digital, and product development functions as follows:
Ms. Zhumagul Amankulova has been appointed Chief Financial Officer & Head of Administration, as well as Member of the Management Board.
Zhumagul graduated from the T. Ryskulov Kazakh Economic University (Narxoz) with a degree in Financial Management and holds certifications as a Professional Accountant and First Category Tax Consultant. She has vast experience in leadership positions at major international companies including Wood Group Kazakhstan, Amec Group Limited, Fircroft, and KIS/Orion.
Zhumagul will oversee (1) Budgeting; (2) Accounting, Tax and Treasury and (3) Administrative Departments.
Mr. Sairan Khamitov has been appointed Chief Digital Officer.
Sairan holds a master’s degree in information technology and management from the Illinois Institute of Technology (USA) and a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. He joined the AIFC Authority in 2019 leading key digital transformation and technology initiatives.
Sairan will lead (1) IT Operations and Cyber Security; (2) Project Management and Software Development; and (3) Data Analysis and Reporting Departments.
Mr. Zhanbolat Kakishev has been appointed Chief Product Officer.
Zhanbolat is a member of the Presidential Youth Personnel Reserve (2019). He holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from King’s College London (UK), an MBA in Finance and Energy from Rice University (USA), and a master’s in public administration from RANEPA (Russia). He has brought over 15 years of leadership experience across the energy, finance, and technology sectors. He will be responsible for (1) Product Development Platform; (2) Industry Analysis; and (3) Investments Departments.
Please join me in congratulating Zhumagul, Sairan, and Zhanbolat on their new roles!
I am confident that their expertise, dedication, and leadership will be instrumental to our continued shared success.
Appointment Process
While these appointments mark an important step in strengthening our strategic leadership capacity, we remain firmly committed to fostering a corporate culture that recognizes internal talent and supports professional growth within our team.
During the recruitment/appointment process, each appointee successfully completed an Executive Assessment conducted by an external firm, evaluating leadership potential, strategic thinking, and managerial competencies. This approach enabled an objective evaluation of their strengths and development areas, ensuring that key managerial roles were filled by the most qualified and effective leaders.
Functional Re-alignments
In addition, please be advised of the following organizational adjustments taking immediate effect:
- A standalone Digital Stream has been established to strengthen the company’s digital transformation efforts by centralizing leadership and resources across IT, data, and software functions, thereby enhancing efficiency and the strategic delivery of digital and AI-based initiatives.
- The Technology Department has been restructured into two dedicated units: (1) IT Operations and Cyber Security and (2) Project Management and Software Development.
- Data Analysis and Reporting has been separated from the Industry Analysis function to ensure centralized data collection, repository management, and advanced analytics supporting strategic and operational decisions. This unit will report to the Chief Digital Officer and include a project management role, responsible for overseeing project execution (not related to Software Development) and ensuring compliance with applicable policies.
- The Industry Analysis Department has been transferred to the Product stream to enhance efficiency and align market research more closely with product development opportunities.
- The Investment Department has been moved from the Chief Client Officer’s stream to the Product stream to reinforce a product-oriented focus on B2G interactions and integration into the national investment attraction agenda.
- The Chancellery and Archive functions have been transferred to the Administrative Department, where they will be merged with the reception services. This consolidation is aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, unifying administrative support processes, and ensuring more effective coordination across related functions.
- A Contract Manager role has been introduced within the Procurement Department to streamline procedures, shorten contract cycles (drafting and sign off), and enhance procurement efficiency.
- A Training Officer role has been established within HR and Organizational Development to expand employee knowledge in key business areas, including sales management, B2B relationships, and overall financial acumen.
I believe these changes will further strengthen AIFC Authority’s ability to operate with greater agility, innovation, and unity as we continue advancing our strategic vision and driving sustainable growth.
Regards,
Bakhtiyar Tleubekov
Chairman of the Management Board
“Astana International Financial Centre Authority” JSC