Hayleys to become a global BPO provider

Tuesday, 11 January 2011 00:26 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Industry giant WNS’s former Senior VP Dr. Arul Sivagananathan joins as blue chip’s Head of BPO Operations

Diversified blue chip Hayleys Plc is planning to become a global Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) provider and has hired a top industry expert to head the initiative.

Hayleys Business Solutions International (Pvt) Ltd., the Hayleys Group’s Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Shared Services outfit announced yesterday the appointment of the top notch engineering and accounting professional Dr. Arul Sivagananathan as the company’s Managing Director effective January 2011.

Dr. Sivagananathan Ph.D (USA), MBA (Cranfield-UK), FCMA (UK), BEng(Hons) (London), AMIE (SL) was previously the Senior Vice President overlooking the Sri Lankan and Indian Finance and Accounting Operations of WNS Global Services, a BPO company listed on the NYSE.

A pioneer in setting up end-to-end finance and accounting outsourcing in Sri Lanka, Dr. Sivagananathan set up the first shared services in WNS for a global multinational company, consolidating over 12 locations across multiple countries in to one centre in India. He has built several centres of excellence in F&A functions both in India and Sri Lanka.

A qualified Engineer from the University of London and a member of the Institute of Engineers – Sri Lanka, he commenced his professional career as a Civil Engineer, leading the World Trade Centre Project in Sri Lanka as the Project Engineer from inception to completion.

Dr. Sivagananathan is currently a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (FCMA-UK), and has served as Resident Manager Sri Lanka for HSBC before joining WNS to set up its Sri Lanka operations in 2004.

“Arul’s extensive international experience in the BPO sector and his proven expertise in engineering and accounting will be invaluable to the company’s plans to become a global BPO provider,” Hayleys PLC Chairman Mohan Pandithage said.

He said Hayleys Business Solutions International and its Shared Services operation ‘Hayleys Aquila’ intend leveraging Sri Lanka’s competitive advantage as well as their unique experience in catering to diverse industry needs of the Hayleys conglomerate to offer services to international clients seeking to outsource their finance and accounting requirements.

Established in 1878 and four times adjudged Sri Lanka’s Best Corporate Citizen, the Hayleys Group employs more than 30,000 people, and accounts for 2.45 per cent of the country’s export income.