Hemas strengthens board with Ajith, Supun to drive growth

Monday, 1 July 2024 00:24 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Ajith Fernando

Supun Weerasinghe

Hemas Holdings PLC has announced the appointment of Ajith Fernando and Supun Weerasinghe as Independent Non-Executive Directors effective 1 July 2024.

Additionally, Ajith Fernando will serve as a member of the Hemas Board’s Nomination and Governance Committee. Hemas said these strategic appointments underscore the company’s commitment to enhancing governance and leveraging deep industry expertise as the Group continues its growth trajectory.

Ajith Fernando is a seasoned veteran with over 35 years in the financial sector, specialising in capital markets. He is widely recognised for his role in founding the Capital Alliance Group, where he served as CEO until December 2023, driving the firm’s expansion into Bangladesh and solidifying its position as a leading investment bank in Sri Lanka. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK) and holder of an MA in Financial Economics from the University of Colombo, Ajith’s extensive board experience includes chairmanship at Sri Lanka Technology Campus Ltd. and directorship in Ceylon Tea Brokers PLC and several private companies.

Supun Weerasinghe, currently Executive Director and Group CEO of Dialog Axiata PLC, is backed by over two decades of expertise and experience within the telecommunications sector. Since joining Dialog in 1999, he has held pivotal roles including Head of Strategy, CEO of Mobile Business, and Group Chief Operating Officer before assuming his current leadership position in 2017. His journey includes significant international exposure, including a tenure as Group Chief Strategy Officer at Axiata Group Berhad in Malaysia and CEO/Managing Director of Robi Axiata Limited in Bangladesh from 2014 to 2016. His leadership extends to board roles at The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and UNGC Network, Sri Lanka. He is a Fellow Certified Management Accountant (Sri Lanka) and Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK), holds an MBA from the University of Western Sydney, Australia and is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School.

“These additions to the current Board of Hemas Holdings underscores the company’s ongoing focus on excellence in corporate governance and strategic leadership. As Hemas expands its footprint, locally and globally, across key sectors of Consumer Brands, Healthcare and Mobility, these appointments are poised to drive sustained value creation for shareholders and stakeholders alike,” a statement said.

Hemas further announced the retirement of Independent Non-Executive Director Jyotindra Trivedi. He joined the Hemas Board in 2017 and made a significant contribution to the company over the years, it added.