The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation is a dynamic and multifaceted organization, actively involved in supporting diverse projects across healthcare, culture and education. The Foundation takes a systematic approach to its philanthropic activities, with the goal of raising quality of life and driving sustainable development.
The Foundation’s mission
We bring together people, ideas and resources to create valuable and sustainable solutions that move society forward.
Effectiveness
We strive to achieve the best result in the most effective way.
Care
Our projects focus on supporting those who need it the most.
Trust
We strive to earn and maintain the trust of our beneficiaries, partners, sponsors and the people of Kazakhstan.
Responsibility
We take seriously the responsibility of overseeing the funds entrusted to us and the hopes placed upon us.
Openness
We maintain open communication in all our activities. We are committed to continuous development and welcome new experiences, knowledge, and challenges.
Bulat Utemuratov
The founder
Bulat Utemuratov is a distinguished entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the key investor of the projects managed by Verny Capital Investment Group.The sphere of his business interest covers finance, telecommunication and media, hotel business, real estate, natural resources, transport and logistics, consumer goods and services. Bulat Utemuratov's public activities are aimed at developing education, supporting sports, promoting cultural values and health care.
Almaz Sharman
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
President of the Kazakh Academy of Preventive Medicine. A prominent Kazakhstani expert in medicine, professor, and doctor of medical sciences, widely recognized for his work in public health, biomedical research, and the digital transformation of healthcare in Kazakhstan and beyond. Sharman was involved in university teaching as Associate at the Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health. Since 2010, Sharman’s primary focus has been on establishments of Academic Healthcare System at Nazarbayev University with the goal of integration of patient care with biomedical research and education.
Zhaniya Aubakirova
Member of The Board of Trustees
The renowned pianist Jania Aubakirova is the laureate of international competitions. People's Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Laureate of the State Prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Holder of the Order of Arts and Literature of France. Prize winner of the European Union of Arts named after Gustav Mahler and the Golden Cross for merit to Poland.
Olzhas Suleimenov
Member of The Board of Trustees
Poet, literary scholar, the Kazakh SSR people’s writer (1990), an important Kazakh political and public figure and diplomat. Mr Suleimenov’s poems have been translated into English, French, German, Spanish, Czech, Polish, Slovakian, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Mongolian and Turkish. The renowned Kazakh poet achieved most acclaim in France where, his poetry was often published in multiple respected periodicals and a number of collections of his poems were published. Mr Suleimenov is also known for his initiation of the well-known antinuclear movement Nevada – Semipalatinsk.
Alexander Vinokurov
Member of The Board of Trustees
Kazakhstani former professional road bicycle racer and current general manager of UCI ProTeam Astana. As a competitor, his achievements include two bronze medals at the World Championships, four stage wins in the Tour de France, four in the Vuelta a España plus the overall title in 2006, two Liège–Bastogne–Liège monuments, one Amstel Gold Race, and most recently, the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics Men's Road Race.
Armanzhan Baitasov
Member of The Board of Trustees
Businessman, journalist, publisher of Forbes Kazakhstan magazine, president of media holding company 31st Channel. Ph.D. in philology and member of the Kazakh Academy of Journalism. Mr Baitasov is also the chairman of the supervisory board of the International Academy of Business and a member of the Kazakh branch of the YPO (Young President’s Organization).
Ainur Karbozova
CEO
Ainur Bagdatovna brings extensive experience in international relations, diplomacy, investment promotion, and higher education.
Her professional career includes positions at the Consular Service Department and the Department of Information and Analysis at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as at the Embassies of Kazakhstan in South Korea and the United Kingdom. She has served as President of the Centre for International Programmes under the Ministry of Education and as Deputy Chairman of the Board at Maqsut Narikbayev University.
Gulmira Murzalinova
Finance Director
Irina Axenova
HR Director
Aizhan Tugelbayeva
Head of Communications
Temirlan Yerbossynov
Research, Development and Internationalization Director
Zhanar Rakhimzhanova
Head of Resource Center
BULAT UTEMURATOV
Bulat Utemuratov is a prominent entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is a key investor in the projects of Verny Capital. Mr. Utemuratov’s business interests span finance, telecommunications, hospitality, real estate, and natural resources.
In 2014, Bulat Utemuratov established a charitable foundation aimed at improving the quality of life in Kazakhstan by supporting the development of healthcare, education, and culture. The total value of the Foundation’s projects exceeds USD 240 million.
The Foundation allocated USD 15 million to the “Autism. One World for All” program, which provides early intervention services for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and support for their families. Over nine years, more than 17,000 children have benefited from the 13 Asyl Miras autism centers.
The Foundation is one of the few organizations in Kazakhstan with a wide geographical reach, implementing numerous projects across various sectors. This allows it to respond quickly where help is needed most, including in emergencies. In addition to providing local relief, in 2023 the Foundation donated USD 5 million to help Turkey recover from the devastating earthquake, and USD 1 million to support the families of miners who lost their lives in the ArcelorMittal mine explosion in October 2023.
In 2024, the Foundation allocated around USD 22 million to eliminate the consequences of large-scale floods in Kazakhstan. These funds were used to provide essential aid to flood victims and housing for more than 400 families in the Aktobe region. To promote regional development, the Foundation initiated several social infrastructure projects across the country worth over USD 100 million, transferring them to the state free of charge.
In September 2023, a new school in the city of Kosshy was opened, funded entirely by the Foundation. It became the first school built to meet the new national “Comfortable School” standard. In September 2024, two more such schools for 900 students each opened in the Almaty region. In November 2024, a new passenger terminal at Kyzylorda Airport, covering 7,500 square meters, was launched. It increased the airport’s capacity sevenfold—to 2 million passengers per year—and received the Eurobak Award in Kazakhstan.
In March 2025, a new public and cultural center opened in Kosshy. With a capacity of over 1,000 people and a total area of 8,500 square meters, the center combines sports, educational, and leisure facilities. In 2025, construction also began on a modern Palace of Schoolchildren in Zhezkazgan, scheduled to open in autumn 2026.
The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation also implements youth development initiatives. Through the Jas Leader Akademiiasy program, 41,500 Kazakhstani school students have learned leadership and teamwork skills, effective communication, and empathy. To foster a culture of sustainability and collaboration, the Foundation launched the Zhasyl Mektep (“Green School”) project in 36 schools in Almaty and Astana, teaching children healthy lifestyle habits and the basics of planting and growing greenery.
Beyond philanthropy, Bulat Utemuratov actively supports education. Since 2007, he has been a patron of Narxoz University, one of Kazakhstan’s leading private universities. He is also one of the founders of Haileybury Schools in Kazakhstan, which offer a broad humanities-based education in the traditions of independent British schooling. All proceeds are reinvested in staff development, infrastructure improvements, and educational quality enhancement for the university and schools alike.
In 2007, Bulat Utemuratov was appointed President of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation. In 2017, his contribution to tennis development was recognized by the International Tennis Federation and the Asian Tennis Federation with awards for “Outstanding Achievements in the Development of Tennis in Kazakhstan.” He has invested more than USD 150 million in tennis development and infrastructure across the country.
Since 2020, Kazakhstan has hosted annual ATP 250 tournaments. In 2022, the tournament was upgraded to ATP 500 status for one edition. In 2024, the ATP 250 tournament moved from Astana to Almaty, attracting over 50,000 spectators. ATP representatives and players praised the event’s organization—Almaty Open ranked among the world’s top three tournaments across more than 30 criteria, including court quality, locker room comfort, fan engagement, and atmosphere. Since 2015, Bulat Utemuratov has served on the Board of Directors of the International Tennis Federation (ITF). In December 2023, he was reappointed for a second term as one of four ITF Vice Presidents.
Summing up 15 years at the helm of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation, Bulat Utemuratov said:
“Building infrastructure, developing junior tennis, and the dedicated work of a professional team of managers and coaches have brought Kazakhstani tennis to a new international level. Elena Rybakina’s triumph at Wimbledon 2022, along with the success of our national and junior teams, confirm this progress and motivate the Federation to continue investing in the sport’s growth in Kazakhstan. It also inspires our young players to keep working hard and striving for global success.”
Bulat Utemuratov is also a passionate supporter of culture and the arts. He supports the Batyrkhan Shukenov Foundation and provides scholarships for talented music students across the country. Under his patronage, the Forte Bank Kulanshi Art Space regularly hosts exhibitions by the Kulanshi Center for Contemporary Art. In December 2023, independent members of the Kazakhstan Growth Forum’s expert council named Bulat Utemuratov “Philanthropist of the Year” for his outstanding contributions to the social sphere. In June 2024, the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation received the American Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan Award in the category of “Service to Society.”