PickMe strengthens governance structure with three new independent directors

Thursday, 4 July 2024 03:50 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Keith Modder

Mano Rajakariar

Prof. Amal Kumarage

PickMe heading to a decade of successful operations has strengthened its governance structure with the appointment of three independent directors to its Board.

The trio are Virtusa-fame Keith Modder, ex-John Keells Holdings’ and financial specialists Mano Rajakariar and top transport and logistics expert Prof. Amal Kumarage.

PickMe Chairman Ajit Gunewardene said the appointments were to support the Company’s ambitious future plans and their wide and varied experience will add significant value.

In its 9th year of operation, PickMe in FY24, saw pre-tax profit soar to Rs. 993 million from Rs. 69 million in the previous year. The economic value that the platform created for independent third party drivers and independent merchants rose by 118% to Rs. 39 billion.

The Board of Directors of PickMe comprises Chairman Ajit Gunewardene, CEO/Founder Zulfer Jiffry, Ruchi Gunewardene, Conrad Dias, Travis Roche, Tasnim Salie, Keith Modder, Mano Rajakariar and Prof. Amal Kumarage.

New Independent Director Modder brings with him over three decades of invaluable experience in global business leadership, spanning the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia Pacific regions. Prior to his appointment at Sampath Bank, he served as the global Chief Operating Officer of Virtusa Inc. USA, playing a pivotal role in the company’s public listing on the Nasdaq in 2007.

During his tenure, Modder was instrumental in driving sales, profitability, client satisfaction, and employee engagement across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific markets. Additionally, he spearheaded global initiatives in digital transformation, cybersecurity, and software engineering quality and optimisation.

Before his tenure at Virtusa Inc., Modder held senior executive positions, including Managing Director roles at John Keells Office Automation and Keells Business Systems. His illustrious career also includes serving as a Director of the Sri Lanka Institute of Nano Technology.

Prof. Kumarage is the Chairman at Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Sri Lanka and Head of the Department of Transport and Logistics Management of the University of Moratuwa. He was also a one-time Chairman of the National Transport Commission.

Mano Rajakariar counts over 30 years of experience in the field of Financial and Management Accounting, Auditing, Risk and Compliance and has held various senior management positions within the John Keells Group including John Keells Holdings PLC. He currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for South Asia Gateway Terminals Ltd., (SAGT).

He joined the John Keells Group in 1996 and initially was the sector Financial Controller for the Tea Broking and Plantations Sector, and later CEO of their Shared Services arm and finally held the position of Group Financial Controller before joining SAGT in 2018. Mano is an alumnus of PricewaterhouseCoopers and has worked for them both in Sri Lanka and abroad, largely in the areas of audit, assurance and compliance. Mano is a Fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants UK.