Deepal Abeysekera appointed People’s Insurance CEO

People's Bank Head of Marketing and Public Affairs Deepal Abeysekera

Closing an achievement-filled chapter as Head of Marketing and Research at People’s Bank, Deepal Abeysekera now looks towards echoing similar milestones at People’s Insurance Ltd. as he takes up the mantle of CEO in July. Abeysekera’s 17 years’ experience in driving the marketing strategies for the state-owned People’s Bank leading it to amass some of the most prestigious awards in the country, quickly etched him as one of the country’s foremost marketers, showcasing immense ability and knowledge to overcome challenges and conquer competition.  

He was conferred the prestigious Brand Champion of the Year and Brand Leadership Award by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing and the World Brand Congress in recognition of his distinctive achievements in strategic business development and brand building in the financial services industry. Using this and the two decades of experience he gained prior to his banking appointment at People’s Bank in the insurance industry, Abeysekera is well positioned to spearhead People’s Insurance Ltd., a subsidiary under the umbrella of People’s Leasing & Finance.  Lauded for his innovative stance in insurance sales and marketing and for pioneering business development strategy, this aspect of Abeysekera’s experience and expertise will stand him in good stead to lead the company.

Aptly qualified for a position of this stature given his MBA from the University of Queensland, Abeysekera augments his knowledge and experience by being a Chartered Marketer and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing UK and Member of both the Chartered Management Institute UK and Institute of Certified Management Accountants. The fact that he has been a Past President of the Association of Professional Bankers Sri Lanka showcases the recognition and reputation he has garnered among both the marketing and financial industry fraternity, which augurs well as he steps into his new role.

The input, leadership and value Abeysekera infuses into People’s Insurance will undoubtedly be of immense advantage to this seven year old company, which in the last financial year ending 31 December 2016 saw its annual premiums exceed Rs. 4 billion spread over 150,000 insurance policies.  Quoted on the Colombo Bourse and backed by two of the largest financial institutions in the country, People’s Leasing & Finance and People’s Bank while being supported by reputed international reinsurers, PIL can use Abeysekera expertise to continue growing the outstanding performance the Company has been posting since inception.