The Management Council of the Astana International Financial Centre was renewed

On 5 September 2024, within the framework of the Astana Finance Days 2024 conference, the Management Council of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC, the Centre) convened with an updated composition.  

The Council includes following members:

– the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan,

– the Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan,

– the Advisor to the President of Kazakhstan on social – economic matters,

– the AIFC Governor,

– the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA),

– the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Astana International Exchange (AIX),

– Julie Monaco,

– Abdulhamid Mohammed Saeed Alahmadi.

The AIFC Management Council is chaired by the President of Kazakhstan, with the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan serving as Deputy Chairman. The revised composition of the Council is expected to inject new momentum and further enhance the AIFC’s standing as a leading international financial centre.

Additionally, during the Council meeting, Angela Ann Knight (CBE) was appointed as the Chairman of the Astana Financial Services Authority’s Board of Directors for a two-year term.

Reference

New Members of the AIFC Management Council:

Abdulhamid Mohammed Saeed Alahmadi

Member of the AIFC Management Council

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Endowments and Minors’ Funds in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Member of the Board of Directors of Mubadala Investment Company, Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company PJSC (ADQ), and Emirates Red Crescent. Chairman of Al Nahda Investment Company and a member of the Board of Directors of Al Ain Holding. 

He was the Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE, CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank, and held positions as CEO, Managing Director, and member of the Board of Directors at Legacy First Gulf Bank. He also held various key leadership positions at Citibank. He was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi Capital Group and Managing Director of Reem Investments. 

In addition, he served as a board member in various governmental and state institutions in the UAE, including the Emirates Investment Authority, the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, and Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (Du).

Angela Ann Knight (CBE)

Member of the AIFC Management Council, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA)

British politician and businesswoman. She served as a Member of Parliament for Erewash in 1992. From 1994 to 1997, she held the position of Economic Secretary to the Treasury, where she was responsible for banking and financial services, as well as financial market regulation. 

After leaving Parliament in 1997, Knight headed the Association of Private Client Investment Managers and Stockbrokers (later renamed the Wealth Management Association). In 2007, she was appointed Chief Executive of the British Bankers’ Association. From 2012 to 2014, she served as  chief executive of trade body Energy UK, representing the interests of the energy industry. 

For her contributions to finance and politics, Knight was awarded the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2007.

Timothy Oliver Bennett

Member of the AIFC Management Council, Chairman of the Board of Directors of AIX 

 Timothy Oliver Bennett is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Astana International Exchange. He played a key role in launching AIX in 2018 and served as CEO until 2021. 

Before joining AIX, Timothy Bennett led the New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX). Under his leadership, NZX underwent significant organizational and regulatory changes, including the upgrade of trading and settlement systems and the launch of 23 ETFs through NZX Funds Management. 

Timothy Bennett also has extensive experience in consulting, having previously served as a partner at Oliver Wyman and the Boston Consulting Group in Asia, where he specialized in financial services and provided strategic and management consulting for major financial institutions and other clients.

AIFC Media Relations

Ainur Issabayeva

Press secretary

Phone: +7 701 777 6558

E-mail: [email protected]