The Marque The Marque

Bulat Utemuratov

Founder of The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation

President of Kazakhstan Tennis Federation

Astana, KZ

President of Kazakhstan Tennis Federation

Bulat Utemuratov
Alain Ucari
Pictet Wealth Management
Alidar Utemuratov
DAR

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.
more less

Bulat’s Newsfeed

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

Bulat Utemuratov, President of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation, talks about the continued growth of tennis in Kazakhstan.

Tennis World
Bulat Utemuratov has turned Kazakhstan tennis into a model of success

Bulat Utemuratov, president of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation, has been one of the main architects of the incredible tennis improvements that his country has experienced in recent years.

View News Archive

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.
 
View all Hide

Bulat’s Gallery

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.
 
View all Hide

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 logo Burabike Sports and Music Festival logo
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