AIFC Announces a Series of New Appointments

Several organizational changes have taken place within the structure of the JSC Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Authority, aimed at strengthening the Centre’s key operational areas.

Zhumagul Amankulova has been appointed Chief Financial Officer & Head of Administration of the AIFC Authority JSC, as well as a Member of the Management Board. Previously, she held the position of Director of the Accounting, Tax and Treasury Department.

Zhanbolat Kakishev has been appointed Chief Product Officer of the AIFC Authority. Prior to this role, he headed the Delivery Unit at the Reform Center.

Sairan Khamitov has been appointed Chief Digital Officer of the AIFC Authority. Before his appointment, he led the Technology Department of the AIFC Authority.

The Chairman of the Management Board of the AIFC Authority, Bakhtiyar Tleubekov, stated:

“We are pleased to announce new appointments within the AIFC Authority team. These changes are aimed at expanding financial products, enhancing the digital transformation of the Centre’s core activities, and integrating modern technological solutions into the AIFC ecosystem. I am confident that the managerial skills, experience, and strategic vision of our new executives will further strengthen the AIFC’s position as a leading financial centre in the region.”

Zhumagul Amankulova has over 18 years of experience in accounting, taxation, and financial management. She joined the AIFC Authority in November 2024 as Director of the Accounting, Tax and Treasury Department.

Before joining AIFC, she served as Chief Accountant at Wood KSS, where she oversaw financial operations, auditing, reporting, and tax compliance. She has vast experience in leadership positions at major international companies including Wood Group Kazakhstan, Amec Group Limited, Fircroft, and KIS/Orion. Zhumagul Amankulova 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.

Zhanbolat Kakishev, appointed as Chief Product Officer, has over 15 years of management experience across the energy, finance, technology, transport, logistics, and international business sectors. He has been a member of the Presidential Youth Personnel Reserve (2019).

Since March 2023, he has led the Delivery Unit at the Reform Center. He previously served as CEO of QazTech, Chairman of the Board of Astana Invest, and held leadership positions at Samruk-Kazyna JSC, Creeris Ventures, ExxonMobil, Agip KCO, and other organizations. 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).

Sairan Khamitov has over 20 years of experience in digital technologies, analytics, and project management. He joined the AIFC Authority in 2019 as Head of the Project Portfolio Management Department. Subsequently, he led the Analytics and Technology Department at AIFC Business Connect Ltd., a subsidiary of the AIFC. From March 2023 until his current appointment, he was Director of the Technology Department at the AIFC Authority, overseeing digital transformation and innovation projects.

Previously, Sairan Khamitov was Director of the Institute of Distance Education at Satbayev University, led business process optimization departments at Capital Bank Kazakhstan and HSBC Bank Kazakhstan, and held key roles at Air Astana, Technip Italy, and Eurest Raytheon. He is a winner of the professional development program at the Skolkovo Business School and a certified project manager (PMP) from the Project Management Institute, and a Bolashak International Scholarship recipient. He 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.

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The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is a leading financial hub in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region, designed to connect global capital with the vast opportunities of emerging markets. Positioned at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, the AIFC combines international best practices with innovative approaches to create a world-class platform for investment, business, and financial services. Since its establishment in 2018, the AIFC has attracted over USD 17 bln in investments into Kazakhstan’s economy. Over 4300 companies from 85 countries, including the USA, the UK, China, Turkiye, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and others, are registered within the AIFC’s jurisdiction.  www.aifc.kz     

AIFC Media Relations

Ainur Issabayeva, Press Secretary

Phone: +7 701 777 6558

E-mail: [email protected]