Air Astana Appoints Janet Heckman as Independent Non-Executive Director

Air Astana (“the Company”), the leading airline in Central Asia, announces the appointment of Janet Heckman as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Janet now chairs the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee as well as the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.

Janet has significant business strategy and planning experience and previously headed the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)’s operations in Kazakhstan before becoming the Managing Director for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean (SEMED). During her tenure in Kazakhstan, she contributed to a significant increase in the EBRD’s footprint and impact in the country, including the expansion of its network of local offices. She was also instrumental in designing and implementing a ground-breaking and multi-faceted Enhanced Partnership with the Government of Kazakhstan. An American national, Janet joined the EBRD in 2012 following a long career at Citi where she was Managing Director for corporate banking activities in Algeria, having held many field roles in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and in Bahrain. She also had responsibility for global relationship banking across Citi’s Central Eastern Europe Middle East Africa (CEEMEA) region.

Peter Foster, President & CEO of Air Astana commented: “We are delighted to welcome a director of Janet’s calibre to the Board. She has extensive experience of the markets in which we operate, she has successfully driven expansion and she brings terrific knowledge of how Governance and CSR efforts can be showcased to evidence good corporate citizenship to enhance interaction with a broad range of stakeholders.”

Janet Heckman added: “Air Astana has established itself as the leading airline in Central Asia. The airline has terrific growth potential and a track record for excellence across its operations. The opportunity to share my experience and add value excites me and I am thrilled to be joining such an experienced and multinational team.”

Ms. Heckman holds a Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. and a BA in History from Kenyon College. She also studied at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon.