Business
Stuart Chapman and Rohan Fernando receive Lifetime Marketer’s Achievement Award from AIMG
The Association of International Marketing Graduates in Sri Lanka (AIMG SL) recently honoured two marketing stalwarts with the ‘Lifetime Marketer’s Achievement Award’ at a ceremony held on 6th December 2022 at Cinnamon Grand Colombo.
The Lifetime Marketer’s Achievement Award recognises the outstanding contribution and recognition key marketing individuals have brought to Sri Lanka’s Marketing Industry. Honouring Non-Executive Director of HNB Assurance, United Motors, and Hemas Pharmaceuticals – Stuart Chapman and Managing Director, Aitken Spence Plantations Management PLC and Elpitiya Plantations PLC – Rohan Fernando.
Chapman is a Marketing Professional with over 40 years of experience in Businesses Leadership and Strategic Development. Chapman began from humble beginnings to now head local and multinational organisations across diverse industries including Healthcare, FMCG, Consumer Durables, Insurance, Banking and Telecommunications. As a founding member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Sri Lanka Branch, Chapman also later served as the President of the CIM Sri Lanka Region, as well as the President of the Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. Known as a Mentor, Lecturer, Keynote Speaker and above all a strong advocate of the value of Marketing Professionals in the Boardroom, Chapman has served as Director Life – Ceylinco Insurance, Marketing Director – Reckitt Benckiser, Managing Director – Hemas Pharmaceuticals, Managing Director – LOLC, Managing Director – GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, Managing Director – Janashakthi Insurance, Senior Brand Manager – Unilever and Marketing Manager – Celltell.
Fernando has sat at the helm of Aitken Spence Plantations as the MD since 1997 and has played an integral role in strategically navigating the success and growth of Plantation segments, as well as that of Group covering Sustainability and branding. Currently the President of the Palm Oil Industry Association of Sri Lanka, Fernando has previously held positions such as Chairman – United Nations Global Compact Network, Sri Lanka, and President – Chartered Institute of Marketing Sri Lanka Region.
The Lifetime Marketer’s Achievement Award was previously presented to Mr. Eardley Perera – an alumnus of Holy Cross College Kalutara; a senior member (Honorary Fellow) and graduate of The Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK, with over 45 years of experience in Management across UK, Sweden, South Korea, India, Philippines and Singapore.
The Association of International Marketing Graduates in Sri Lanka (AIMG SL) was established in July 2020 by veterans of the marketing industry boasting over 3 decades of expertise and experience, with its main focus to create a dynamic and professional association with international marketing qualifications, connecting young and senior members to create a platform for knowledge sharing via workshops, programmes and various other activities. Its objective remains to aid Sri Lanka-based marketers to stay at the forefront of their professions and the market.
Business
AHK Sri Lanka champions first-ever Sri Lankan delegation at Drupa 2024
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
Business
HNB General Insurance recognized as Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”