Ozara is a team of professionals from across the world and Kazakhstan with deep knowledge and experience in similar international financial centres of the world, such as London, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada and Australia.

 

Some of our team helped the AIFC during its formative stages and the initial operations of the Centre.

 

Many of our team have over 25 years experience in supporting and advising companies as they seek to grow; and change to meet changing business conditions.

 

The team combines knowledge and expertise from: financial industry, strategy and consulting, finance and legal, technology and operational delivery know-how and; governance, risk and compliance.

 

We have professional qualifications, certifications and memberships which demonstrate our in-depth expertise: Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists, Chartered Institute of Bankers, Chartered Insurance Institute, Securities and Investment Institute, Islamic Finance Services Board.

 

Key Team Members

 

Our team of experienced practitioners and experts provide actively participate in our client projects and leading our client teams. This level of engagement ensures that our clients have access to thought leadership and innovative business answers to meet their goals and objectives.

 

​

Will Aston

I help establish and transform financial firms, financial centres and regulatory authorities through innovation and value-led programme leadership. I use my extensive international experience in banking, insurance and regulation to create business strategies that are deliverable and pragmatic.

 

Specifically, my over 30 years experiences, includes in banking I have been CIO for a global wealth and investment management firm and, Operational Planning and Strategy Director for a major bank. In addition, I have led many programmes of work for multi-regional and global banks as they have addressed challenges such as; the financial crisis, digitization of banking and the on-going industry consolidation through mergers and acquisitions.

 

My deep domain knowledge of Financial Services Regulators has been built on a clear record of achievement with: FSRA, FSA, FCA, Central Bank of Ireland, Bermuda Monetary Authority, Abu Dhabi Global Markets and Astana Internal Finance Centre.

​

​

Zhanymkhan Zhanaltay

I help firms form clear information systems strategies with streamlined processes that are required to optimise their business; and then lead the building of technology and organization necessary for on-going operational services delivery.

 

This has experience has been gained from working across Samruk-Kazyna and numerous financial groups. Also, I helped define and implement the solutions required for the Astana International Finance Centre (AIFC) achieving operational delivery. These solutions support the AIFC Court an Arbitration Centre and the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA).

 

 

Steve Cemm

I help firms and financial regulators in all areas of Governance, Risk and Compliance. For firms, when they conduct regulated financial activities, I train personnel and I help them establish, create, and operate effective operating policies and procedures, with respect to their jurisdictions rulebook requirements. For Financial Regulators, I help establishing new authorities, take varying roles as a regulator and lead improvement initiatives for risk assessment frameworks, framework and rulebook development, regulatory reporting, monitoring, risk mitigation and supervision plans.

 

This experience has been gained from over 30 years ’experience working with conventional and Islamic finance regimes. Specifically, I have worked with the following authorities: FSA, DFSA, QFCRA, FSRA (ADGM) and AFSA within the AIFC.

 

 

Bauyrzhan M. Yermegiyayev

I help firms confirm legal entity structures which support their business goals, and for those which conduct financial activities comply with regulations and legislation.

 

As a lawyer I have over 11 years experience of working in several areas of the General Prosecutors of the Republic of Kazakhstan and in particularly relevant to the governance, risk and compliance functions in the financial services

sector (FATF, AML, KYC) focused on Counter-Terrorism and the fighting the financial dimensions of terrorism. In addition, I have been a mediator, for conflict resolution between Kazakh citizens and banks concerning loans.

 

​

Paul Pullinger

I help firms develop innovative strategies, business cases and solutions to drive measurable business growth primarily in Financial Services sector but also Oil and Gas, Defence and Telecommunications, conforming to the relevant regulation, international standards and industry trends.

 

My over 30 years experience had been gained working in heavily regulated sectors; through critical thinking and multi-industry experience I help develop and enhance a firms ability to expand and conduct their business responding to changes in the business environment and regulations.