About us
The TBCC works on behalf of its members to inform them of business opportunity and help facilitate it.
We represent the interests of our members and work to facilitate their market entry, growth and expansion. Our partnerships with businesses, government organisations, Ministries, Embassies and Consulates, education institutions as well as the Civic and press enables us to deliver exceptional value to any member whether an SME or a large corporate entity.
Honorary Chairmen
H.E. Masud Khalifazoda
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tajikistan to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
H.E. Matthew Lawson
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Republic of Tajikistan
Board of Directors
Illya Pike
TBCC Director
Areas covered: Technology / Finance / Venture Capital / Start-ups / Real Estate / Automotive / Management / Luxury /Tourism.
Illya develops the strategy of the Chamber by working with both public and private entities, ensuring appropriate representation and development of the organization.
Working in the London tech industry, Illya seeks to apply the latest innovations across a multitude of industries and geographies. By combining this with a deep understanding of political science, Illya is able to address complex special situations in various economies.
Illya holds an MSc from Imperial College London.
Uktam Matlabov
Advisory Board
Areas covered: Banking / Finance / Wealth Management / Fintech, Start-ups / Real Estate / Sport / Automobile / Hospitality /Tourism.
As a member of the Advisory Panel, Uktam develops and uncovers strategic and business relationships Between Tajikistan and the United Kingdom.
With over 5 years in wealth management and private banking experience, Uktam Matlabov started working in wealth management and family offices since 2008, combing his responsibilities as Deputy Trade Representative of Tajikistan in the United Kingdom.
Uktam holds an MBA from Anglia Ruskin University.
Advisers
Sergey Stanovkin
Media and Communications Adviser
Sergey Stanovkin is a Media Consultant with over 20 years of experience running an international PR agency, consulting national and international TV broadcasters, advising national and regional governments as well as private and state-owned companies on media, government and investors relations.
He was appointed Head of BBC Commercial Representatives of BBC Worldwide in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Moldova, Russia, Lithuania, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
Sergey holds a degree in Aerophysics and Space Research from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology as well as a degree in international trade from the Moscow Academy of Foreign Trade.
Sophie Ibbotson
Development Adviser
Sophie Ibbotson is a business and economic development advisor specializing in Central Asia. She first visited Tajikistan in 2010 and is the author of Bradt Travel Guides’ guidebook to the country.
Currently, Sophie is a consultant to the World Bank on its Rural Economic Development Project (REDP) in Tajikistan’s Khatlon Region and GBAO.
She is a partner in a London based investment broker GLACEX, a business consultant at Scarman’s law firm, and the founder of Maximum Exposure LTD, a consultancy working in the tourism and culture sectors. Sophie is also a council member of the Royal Society for Asian Affairs.
Sophie read oriental studies at Clare College, University of Cambridge.
Jamshed Niyatbekov
Risk Management Adviser
Areas covered: Credit Risk Management / Operational Risk Management / Market Risk Management / Liquidity Risk Management.
With over 10 years of experience in Banking, Jamshed mainly works in the area of Risk management and Compliance. Main responsibilities include establishing and updating policies, procedures (RMF) on all areas of risk including credit, market, operational and liquidity risk.
As a member of the Advisory Panel, Jamshed provides required guidance with respect to risk management by identifying, measuring and mitigating risks.
Malika Yarbabaeva
Production, Export and Labour Adviser
Areas covered: Textiles / Garments / Design / Labour / Gender / Migration.
Malika has substantial experience working in the development aid sector, as well as in the private sector in Tajikistan, currently focusing on the textile industry.
As a member of the Advisory Panel, Malika aims to promote cooperation between Tajikistan and Great Britain in the textile and garments sectors, which have great potential for development.
Having worked for different United Nations agencies in Tajikistan, Malika has been assisting local textile and garments companies in cooperating with different development aid structures inside and outside the country, with the aim of building their export and production potential.
Malika holds an MS in Development Studies from SOAS University of London.
Peter Gray
Investment Adviser
Peter is focussed on mobilizing capital from global investment sources for investment in emerging economies and projects reflecting technological innovation – via London listed investment companies.
He was previously the Head of the Investment Division of the Crown Agents for Overseas Governments & Administrations, a pioneer of the world of sovereign wealth funds and former CEO of Touche Remnant, then the leading manager of UK listed investment trusts.
Peter was educated at Trinity College, University of Cambridge.
Aminmohamed Juma
Projects, Education and Tourism Adviser
Areas covered: Finance / Regulatory Compliance / Management Audits / Investigations / Internal Management Control Systems / Management Consultancy.
With a wealth of post accounting and management qualification and specialist experience spanning over 40 years in the fields of finance and audit.
Aminmohamed Juma has spent over 20 years at Board level in the financial services industry.
Amin was awarded the ‘The Queens Award for Voluntary Service’ in 2019 and he is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and Member of Chartered Management Institute.
Louis Skyner
Legal Adviser
Louis Skyner is a partner in Dentons’ Energy practice, focused on Russia and CIS. He is an English-qualified solicitor with more than a decade of experience in the energy sector, including upstream and downstream oil and gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), nuclear energy, hydro, wind and solar power.
Tom Lee
Projects Adviser
Tom Lee began his career in the Royal Navy, serving as a warfare officer and diver. On completion he continued to serve as a Royal Naval Reserve officer, seeing active service in Iraq in 2003 and previously as a UN military observer in Western Sahara.
Tom has also spent a number of years conducting private security operations around the world and working in emergency relief. He subsequently spent many years in business, producing high-security documents for governments, election monitoring, national ID programmes, and other infrastructure projects. He is also currently an RNLI Lifeboat crew member on the River Thames, assisting those in distress on the water.
Tom has more than twenty-five years of active experience in international business and remains passionate about pursuing opportunities, traveling frequently around the world.
Anahita Saymidinova
Communications Adviser
With extensive experience in project management, humanitarian assistance, bilateral diplomacy and communications development, Anahita was a member of the Political and Prosperity team at the British Embassy in Dushanbe between 2015 and 2018.
She went on to study public policy analysis and urban planning at the University of Minnesota – Humphrey School of Public Affairs as a Humphrey Fellow, with a Fulbright scholarship.
Anahita founded her own company, LLC Creative Vision to produce video and audio content in the Tajik language. She joined the Iran International TV channel located in London and now she covers contemporary events in Dushanbe.
Anahita holds a Master’s in Politics and Security from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Academy in Bishkek.
Geliya Chukmarova
Legal and Investments Adviser
Areas covered: Law / Litigation / Arbitration / Business Law / Investment Projects.
Geliya is a legal and business consultant with over 20 years of experience in litigation/arbitration and business law in the UK, Russia and other former Soviet Union countries. She is an English qualified solicitor and Russian lawyer/advocate.
Geliya is a founder and director of LIS Consulting Solutions Ltd, which focuses on legal and business matters and investment projects. She is President of the Aldgate Ward Club and a member of the Fuellers Livery Company.
Dr Amina Wakefield
International Trade Adviser
Areas covered: Export of British Education / Business in Central Asia / International Trade / Emerging Markets.
Dr Amina Wakefield is Chief Executive and Founder of Cambridge Worldwide Academy, Chair of Technical Vocational Education and Training UK (TVET UK), President of Ecole Superieure de Business Berrechid and Chair of International Relations at the Egyptian Healthcare Society. She holds the G8 UK Award for Women in Business for outstanding achievements.
With the support of Dr Wakefield, over 300 education institutions were developed and set up worldwide. As an Ambassador for British export, Dr Wakefield provides support to government agencies, businesses and individuals interested in international trade or the development of business partnerships in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, logistics, education services and supplies.
Partners
