EY GDS Sri Lanka poised for exponential growth

By harnessing the potential of EY GDS, we aim to actively contribute toward the country’s development and bring about positive change in the lives of young Sri Lankan talent. Talented young people leaving our shores is a significant challenge the country faces today. EY GDS Sri Lanka provides them with opportunities within the country, in a world-class work environment with training opportunities that are second to none in the industry. While enabling us to provide high-quality services to our global clients, it also places our employees in a unique position to build an exceptional career experience for themselves and a better working world for all 

EY Global Delivery Services (EY GDS) Sri Lanka, a part of the global EY network focused on innovation, technology, and process improvement, has reaffirmed its commitment to making Sri Lanka a key global location. 

In an exclusive interview, Samantha Rajapaksa, the recently appointed EY GDS Sri Lanka Location and Consulting Leader, shared insights into ambitious plans of EY GDS to grow and expand its operations in Sri Lanka, leveraging local talent to play a vital role in the country’s economic growth and continuing to provide world-class services to its global clients. Following are excerpts:

Q:  As the newly appointed Location and Consulting Leader for EY GDS Sri Lanka, what is your vision for the organisation, and how do you plan to bring it to reality?

A: As an alumnus of EY, it gives me great pleasure to be back, joining EY GDS Sri Lanka during an exciting phase for the organisation. Aligned with our global organisational objectives, we have ambitious growth plans for EY GDS Sri Lanka over the next few years.

In just over a year, the EY GDS Sri Lanka workforce has grown to nearly 250 employees, and we are aiming to increase our numbers and maintain our accelerated growth trajectory through 2024 as well. As part of our growth strategy, we expect to engage with universities, professional bodies, and educational institutions to ensure that the next generation of IT and Finance professionals have not only adequate technical knowledge but also the required skill sets in line with global demands.

By harnessing the potential of EY GDS, we aim to actively contribute toward the country’s development and bring about positive change in the lives of young Sri Lankan talent. Talented young people leaving our shores is a significant challenge the country faces today. EY GDS Sri Lanka provides them with opportunities within the country, in a world-class work environment with training opportunities that are second to none in the industry. While enabling us to provide high-quality services to our global clients, it also places our employees in a unique position to build an exceptional career experience for themselves and a better working world for all.

Q: EY GDS commenced operations in Sri Lanka just prior to the beginning of a very challenging period. What are the objectives of EY GDS for the year ahead?

A: Our commitment to the country and the growth of the business remains strong as we continue to build Sri Lanka as a key EY GDS global location. Though we commenced operations during one of the most turbulent periods in the country’s history, during the first year, we experienced remarkable growth. The company has completed the initial launch phase and is now poised to move into an aggressive growth phase. 

We are a global-focused entity, and our markets are offshore. Together with EY firms across the world, we are confident that we will be able to successfully expand our operations in Sri Lanka despite the macroeconomic challenges.

Our primary focus over the next 12 months will be centred on building the team and stakeholder collaboration. We aim to attract the finest talent in the country, enhance their skills through upskilling initiatives and ensure they are on par with – or surpass – global talent markets. By doing so, we will be well-equipped to support EY member firms from across the world in service delivery. We have set ambitious plans to accelerate our growth and look forward to making a substantial impact in the industry.

Q: How does EY GDS Sri Lanka fit into the regional EY GDS picture? 

A: EY GDS is a worldwide network of service delivery centres offering strategic business solutions to EY member firms and EY clients worldwide. With a workforce of over 75,000 personnel located across ten countries and 20 cities, EY GDS is at the forefront of delivering exceptional service.

EY GDS Sri Lanka was the third Asia-Pacific location for EY GDS. Our primary purpose is to enhance the existing capabilities of EY, enabling broader regional support. Sri Lanka has been strategically established to cater to the Asia-Pacific (APAC) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regions while we also cater to the Americas, South Africa, and Australia regions. We play a vital role in the organisational growth strategy, helping EY clients become agile and efficient, and helping fulfil our common purpose of building a better working world.

Q:  How does EY GDS provide Sri Lankans with opportunities to be a part of a global network?

A: Currently, EY GDS Sri Lanka provides Business and Technology Consulting as well as Assurance services. EY is one of the leading assurance and accounting consultancy practices in the world with a legacy of over 150 years, while on the technology consulting front, we work with the latest leading-edge technologies and skill sets and have established a reputation for the technical competence of our professionals in Sri Lanka. The current competencies under Technology Consulting include Digital and Emerging Technologies, Data and Analytics, Quality Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Business Process Management. By placing humans at the centre, leveraging technology at speed, and enabling innovation at scale, we aim to create long-term value for people, business, and society as a whole.

We offer diverse rewarding career opportunities encompassing various business disciplines, catering to candidates with accounting and coding backgrounds and more. Our focus is on cultivating evergreen skills that align with evolving industry trends. We also collaborate across functions such as Finance, Business Development, Technology, Talent, Procurement, and Risk Management to help EY teams operate as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Our team has the unique opportunity to engage in global projects and collaborate with teams worldwide. This fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment where they interact with peers from various cultures and regions daily. Such global connectivity enriches their professional experience and promotes cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.

EY GDS Sri Lanka leadership team

Q: What opportunities does EY GDS offer its employees to develop skills and mindset?

A: We invest significantly in our people through learning and development, equipping them with the mindset and the technical skill sets necessary to excel and stand out in their chosen areas of work while empowering them to become purpose-driven and transformative leaders.

GDS offers a culture of lifelong learning, where individuals seek to upgrade their learning needs in any area they like. Our EY Tech MBA offered in collaboration with globally acclaimed Hult International Business School in the USA offers the first-ever fully accredited corporate MBA that is available free to EY people. The program builds on EY Badges, which are credentials in different kinds of fields and technologies. Employees can select from a broad curriculum – data analytics, cybersecurity, project management, digital technologies, sustainability, and more – and upskill or reskill themselves. 

The training and resources are not only geared toward improving their career prospects but also fostering personal growth and fulfilling life beyond work. We believe in a holistic approach to development, supporting our team members in their professional and personal journeys. 

Recognising the emotional and mental stress that our people faced, particularly during the pandemic and heightened challenges in Sri Lanka, we prioritise their wellbeing and provide support. By offering a comprehensive support system, we strive to create a nurturing environment where our team members can prioritise and enhance their wellbeing alongside their professional growth.

Q: What is the work culture like at EY GDS?

A: Our workforce is relatively young, with the average age being around 25 years. We pride ourselves on cultivating a workplace culture that leans more toward a horizontal organisational structure where collaboration and open communication are encouraged and valued. One distinct aspect of our workplace culture is having established a counsellor and counselee relationship among our associates which emphasises the importance of mentorship, guidance, and support within the organisation. This relationship promotes a collaborative and supportive environment where our associates feel empowered to seek advice and work together toward achieving their goals. 

In addition to fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture, we are committed to maintaining a well-balanced gender representation within our workforce. We strive for a 50/50 gender balance, recognising the importance of diversity and equal opportunities for all. 

Creating an engaging and vibrant work environment is a priority for us. We aim to provide an atmosphere where team members excel professionally and enjoy their time at work through regular employee engagement activities that promote team building, encourage creativity, and foster a sense of belonging among our team members.

Q: Can you elaborate on the organisation’s Corporate Responsibility programs?

A: EY is committed to becoming a net-zero carbon organisation by 2025 and positively impacting 1 billion lives by 2030. In addition, we have launched “Connectival”, a bi-annual volunteering festival where EY GDS team members from across the globe come together and volunteer in different programs and activities. In locations worldwide, including Sri Lanka, our team members are mobilised toward this common goal. 

Over the last few months, EY GDS Sri Lanka team members have engaged in several corporate responsibility events including a collaboration with “The Pearl Protectors” to help in the conservation and protection of the Sri Lankan coastal belt and marine life as well as Sri Lanka Red Cross Society to uplift the health of vulnerable communities by supporting their medical camps.

By engaging in these initiatives, our employees have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful causes and make a positive impact on society. This strengthens our team spirit and instils a sense of purpose and fulfilment in our workforce.

Q: What is the role of EY GDS Sri Lanka in “Building a Better Working World”?

A: At EY, we believe business can be a force for social good. Our purpose is “Building a better working world”, and it is vital that our people bring meaning to their work and understand the contributions they are making to the company and society. Every question we ask and every interaction with a client or colleague should make the working world better than it was before.

Our vision is to create a brighter future by fostering collaboration and cooperation among various stakeholders, including the government, community, our team members, and other key players in the business environment. By working together, we aim to build a resilient and robust EY GDS presence in Sri Lanka, contributing to the prosperity and growth of the nation.