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Bulat Utemuratov

Founder of The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation

President of Kazakhstan Tennis Federation

Astana, KZ

Bulat Utemuratov

Pictet Wealth Management

Alidar Utemuratov

Bulat’s Biography

Bulat Utemuratov is a distinguished entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist. He is President of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation, and Vice President of the International Tennis Federation.

Bulat has pursued a successful business career. His assets can be split into two groups – those personally owned by him, and those under the professional management of Verny Capital. Today, his focus is on developing Kazakh culture, sport, healthcare, education, and tackling social issues.

In 2014 Bulat established The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation and has allocated $15 million to its flagship project "Autism. One World for All". As one of the few organizations in Kazakhstan with a diverse portfolio of projects nationwide, the Foundation can drive improvement in the country’s standard of living while also being able to respond quickly to emergencies. As well as providing emergency aid at a local level, the Foundation donated $5 million to provide relief in Türkiye following the devastating earthquake in 2023. The total cost of the projects implemented by the Foundation is more than $150 million.

To... Bulat Utemuratov is a distinguished entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist. He is President of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation, and Vice President of the International Tennis Federation.

Bulat has pursued a successful business career. His assets can be split into two groups – those personally owned by him, and those under the professional management of Verny Capital. Today, his focus is on developing Kazakh culture, sport, healthcare, education, and tackling social issues.

In 2014 Bulat established The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation and has allocated $15 million to its flagship project "Autism. One World for All". As one of the few organizations in Kazakhstan with a diverse portfolio of projects nationwide, the Foundation can drive improvement in the country’s standard of living while also being able to respond quickly to emergencies. As well as providing emergency aid at a local level, the Foundation donated $5 million to provide relief in Türkiye following the devastating earthquake in 2023. The total cost of the projects implemented by the Foundation is more than $150 million.

To address the regional social development gap, the Foundation has initiated several projects worth over $90 million. The Foundation actively promotes positive youth development and has introduced a unique leadership program into the school curriculum of 234 schools, helping students develop critical thinking, public speaking, and negotiation skills. Within the Green School project children learn how to live healthily and sustainably, and how to cultivate plants. Through the program, students gain self-confidence from achieving their goals and enjoying the food they have grown. To date, 40,000 students have participated in the two projects.

Bulat has invested over $150 million into the development of tennis in Kazakhstan and was honoured by the ITF and the ATF for his work in promoting the sport.

Bulat holds a degree in Economics from Narxoz University. READ MORE VIEW LESS

Bulat’s Newsfeed

Tennis World

ITF VP and Kazakh tennis President, Bulat Utemuratov, discusses Kazakh tennis growth

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Tennis World

Bulat Utemuratov has turned Kazakhstan tennis into a model of success

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Bulat’s Background

The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation

Founder & Member of the Board of Trustees

Feb 2014 - Present

Almaty, KZ

The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation supports numerous charitable organisations across Kazakhstan. Its flagship project "Autism. One World for All" provides early intervention programs for autistic children and support for their families. Since 2014 the Foundation has been steadfast in bringing together people, ideas, and resources to create valuable and sustainable solutions that move society forward.

Kazakhstan Tennis Federation

President

Aug 2007 - Present

Astana, KZ

The Kazakhstan Tennis Federation is the official tennis governing body of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The Presidential Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Special Advisor to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Feb 1999 - Mar 2013

Astana, KZ

From February 1999 to May 2013 Bulat held various positions with the Security Council and the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan. His final position in the service of the Republic of Kazakhstan was as a Special Advisor to the President.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Kazakhstan

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Feb 1996 - Feb 1999

Geneva, CH

Bulat was called upon to serve in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to Switzerland.

Ministry of Industry and Trade, Republic of Kazakhstan

First Deputy Minister

Jun 1994 - Nov 1995

Almaty, KZ

The Ministry of Industry and Trade was formed in 1994, attending the industry and trade needs of The Republic of Kazakhstan.

Ministry of External Economic Affairs, Republic of Kazakhstan

Deputy Minister

Dec 1993 - Jun 1994

Almaty, KZ

The Ministry of External Economic Affairs attended to the foreign interests of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Kazakh Trading House

CEO

Aug 1992 - Dec 1993

Vienna, AT

The Kazakh Trading House established a base in Austria after Kazakhstan gained independence.

State Committee for Foreign Economic Relations of the Kazakh Soviet Republic

Head of Department

1990 - 1992

Almaty, KZ

The function of the State Committee for Foreign Economic Relations was to act on an inter-agency level.

Executive Committee of People’s Deputies of the Soviet District Council

Deputy Chairman

1986 - 1990

Almaty, KZ

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Bulat’s Gallery

Bulat Utemuratov awarding a medal for tennis on behalf of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation.

Bulat Utemuratov cycling in a charity cycle ride.

Bulat Utemuratov overlooking the construction of homes for families who became homeless following the disasters in Khazakhstan.

A portrait of Bulat Utemuratov.

Bulat Utemuratov smiling.

Bulat Utemuratov in a group image with his colleagues.

Bulat Utemuratov playing tennis.

Bulat Utemuratov standing next to a tennis court.

Bulat Utemuratov smiling for a picture at a dinner.

Bulat Utemuratov speaking to a child in a visit to a school.

Bulat Utemuratov speaking to Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

Bulat Utemuratov in a group picture with the staff at a school.

Bulat Utemuratov overlooking teachers and pupils being taught in a school.

Photo of Bulat Utemuratov

Bulat Utemuratov with the President of Khazakhstan.

Bulat Utemuratov among his colleagues.

Bulat Utemuratov on a visit.

Bulat Utemuratov smiling at his desk.

Bulat Utemuratov meeting several people.

Bulat Utemuratov in a group picture on one of his visits.

Bulat Utemuratov at the tennis with a group of people with the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation flag in the background.

Bulat Utemuratov with others in Kazakhstan.

Bulat Utemuratov looking at the art in an art gallery.

Bulat Utemuratov sat at a table with children on one of his visits to a school in Kazakhstan.

Bulat Utemuratov holding a giant signed tennis ball at the US Open.

Bulat Utemuratov at the The World Cup of Tennis, Davis Cup.

Bulat Utemuratov with Novak Djokovic.

Bulat Utemuratov stood up watching the tennis.

Bulat Utemuratov at an ITF event.

Bulat Utemuratov awarding a medal for tennis on behalf of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation.

Bulat Utemuratov cycling in a charity cycle ride.

Bulat Utemuratov overlooking the construction of homes for families who became homeless following the disasters in Khazakhstan.

A portrait of Bulat Utemuratov.

Bulat Utemuratov smiling.

Bulat Utemuratov in a group image with his colleagues.

Bulat Utemuratov playing tennis.

Bulat Utemuratov standing next to a tennis court.

Bulat Utemuratov smiling for a picture at a dinner.

Bulat Utemuratov speaking to a child in a visit to a school.

Bulat Utemuratov speaking to Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

Bulat Utemuratov in a group picture with the staff at a school.

Bulat Utemuratov overlooking teachers and pupils being taught in a school.

Photo of Bulat Utemuratov

Bulat Utemuratov with the President of Khazakhstan.

Bulat Utemuratov among his colleagues.

Bulat Utemuratov on a visit.

Bulat Utemuratov smiling at his desk.

Bulat Utemuratov meeting several people.

Bulat Utemuratov in a group picture on one of his visits.

Bulat Utemuratov at the tennis with a group of people with the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation flag in the background.

Bulat Utemuratov with others in Kazakhstan.

Bulat Utemuratov looking at the art in an art gallery.

Bulat Utemuratov sat at a table with children on one of his visits to a school in Kazakhstan.

Bulat Utemuratov holding a giant signed tennis ball at the US Open.

Bulat Utemuratov at the The World Cup of Tennis, Davis Cup.

Bulat Utemuratov with Novak Djokovic.

Bulat Utemuratov stood up watching the tennis.

Bulat Utemuratov at an ITF event.

Board Positions

International Tennis Federation (ITF)

Vice President

2019 - Present

London, UK

The ITF is a sport governing body, overseeing fair and ethical practice in the sport of tennis worldwide.

Interviews

Bulat Utemuratov: "Step-by-step we are going for our goal"

Aug 2022

Bulat Utemuratov was interviewed about the structure of player development in Kazakhstan, and what the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation is doing to develop tennis in the country.

Features

The labour of love behind the dream of Astana becoming a permanent ATP Tour stop

Featured

Oct 2023

Bulat Utemuratov is featured in this article describing how, over the past 16 years, he has invested more than $100 million in the sport of tennis.

Astana Adventure: A Self-Experiment

Featured

Oct 2023

Bulat Utemuratov describes how tennis has been elevated in Kazakhstan from an unpopular sport to one that everyone wants to play.

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Publications

The evolution of tennis: From gender restrictions to equality and accessibility

Author

Aug 2023

Bulat Utemuratov writes in Sports Business Journal about the problems of gender equality in global tennis and how, in Kazakhstan, the inclusion of girls in the sport is prioritised.

One for all and all for tennis: How social inclusion is putting Kazakhstan on the world tennis map

Author

May 2023

Former diplomat, businessman, philanthropist and the current President of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation, Bulat Utemuratov, describes Kazakhstan’s tennis boom.

Charitable Interests

Burabike Sports and Music Festival

Founder & Social Partner

2013 - Present

Shchuchinsk, KZ

The Burabike Festival is an annual event centred on fundraising for medical equipment and the improvement of medical centres.

Oesterreichische Krebshilfe-Krebsgesellschaft

Social Partner

2021 - Present

Vienna, AT

A donation to the Austrian Cancer Aid to help cancer patients who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 pandemic and felt unsecure regarding their medical, psychological, and financial situation.

Business Interests

Verny Capital Group

2006 - Present

Astana, KZ

Verny Capital Group is one of Kazakhstan's largest investment management firms focusing on direct investments in private companies. In 2006 Bulat became the key investor in the projects of Verny Capital to manage his assets located in Kazakhstan and abroad.

Community Engagement

ForteBank Kulanshi ArtSpace

Benefactor

2016 - Present

Almaty, KZ

Bulat is a benefactor of the ForteBank Kulanshi ArtSpace and talks about the collaboration with the gallery being a 'masterpiece'.

Haileybury Kazakhstan

Founder

2008 - Present

Haileybury Kazakhstan schools were established as sister schools in Kazakhstan, based on Haileybury independent schools in the United Kingdom. Haileybury Kazakhstan operates in both Almaty and Astana.

Bulat’s Education

Narxoz University

Economics

1981 - 1986