Union Bank appoints Dilshan Rodrigo as new CEO

Friday, 16 August 2024 00:24 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Dilshan Rodrigo

Union Bank has announced the appointment of Dilshan Rodrigo as its new Director/Chief Executive Officer, effective 16 August 2024.

With an impressive career spanning over two decades in the banking sector, Rodrigo’s appointment signifies a transformative moment for the bank. Under his leadership, Union Bank aims to navigate the evolving landscape of Sri Lanka’s banking industry and become a beacon of innovation and customer-centric strategies in an era of digitalisation.

Rodrigo said: “Union Bank is committed to being at the forefront of banking innovation and service excellence. Our focus will be on harnessing our capital strength to drive growth and expand our footprint, particularly in the retail and SME sectors. We will capitalise on our well-located branches across Sri Lanka to target key areas for development and transform our digital capabilities to better serve our customers. Union Bank will also foster sustainable entrepreneurship through the Union Bank School of Social Entrepreneurship (UBSSE). The bank’s strategic priorities will be aligned to the vision of CG Corp Global group, Union Bank’s main shareholder, led by Nepalese billionaire Dr. Binod Chaudhary.” He further added that the recent stabilisation of Sri Lanka’s economy offers a favourable environment for Union Bank to achieve its growth targets and emphasised the importance of leveraging past experiences to strengthen the production economy, drive value-added exports, and attract foreign direct investment.

Welcoming Rodrigo as the new Director/CEO, Union Bank Chairman Nirvana Chaudhary expressed his confidence in the appointment, stating: “Dilshan’s extensive experience and dedication to digital transformation perfectly align with our vision to elevate Union Bank into Sri Lanka’s top five banks within the next 3-5 years. His leadership will be pivotal in driving shareholder value and accomplishing our strategic goals.”

Rodrigo brings a wealth of experience from various sectors, including banking, insurance, investment banking, and apparel. His recent role was as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at Hatton National Bank (HNB). He has also held significant positions such as Chairman of HNB Finance PLC and Lanka Financial Services Bureau, and as a Director at HNB Assurance PLC and Guardian Acuity Management Ltd. He also serves as a Director of the Credit Information Bureau of Sri Lanka and has contributed to organisations such as the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID) and the Asian Bankers Association. He holds an MBA from Cranfield University, UK, and fellowships from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (FCMA) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA).