LBCH appoints Nadijah Tambiah as new Chairman

By Fathima Riznaz Hafi

John Keells Holdings PLC Head of CSR Nadijah Tambiah was introduced formally as the new Chairman of LBCH at the Annual General Meeting, which was attended by representatives of more than 50 top corporates on Monday, at Cinnamon Lakeside.

Tambiah, who had already been an active contributor to LBCH before assuming the new position, commended the services delivered by LBCH and pledged her dedication to drive the coalition’s message forward.

“From 2007 LBCH has brought all businesses together to spread awareness on the issue of HIV and AIDS. It is not (the issue of HIV and AIDS) something that Sri Lanka can afford to ignore anymore. It’s affecting ultimately what we in the corporate world consider the most valuable resource – our people – whether it’s in Colombo, the rural areas, in our hotels or tea estates – it’s spreading everywhere,” she said.

“Since its formation, thousands of people have benefitted from the HIV awareness programs that were carried out by LBCH and I can honestly say that a critical driving factor behind that has been Sharmini Mendis who has selflessly volunteered her time for this. I thank the very active steering committee and past leaders who have seen to this success and I hope we’ll be able to take more of that in the future.”

from left: LBCH outgoing Chairman and Standard Chartered Bank CEO Anirvan Ghosh Dastidar, LBCH COO Sharmini Mendis and John Keells Holdings Head of CSR and LBCH incoming Chairman Nadijah Tambiah

LBCH outgoing Chairman/Standard Chartered Bank CEO Anirvan Ghosh Dastidar said: “It’s been an interesting year. I don’t want to stand up and say that we’ve done something fantastic over the last year; I believe that it’s never a closed chapter. We’ve tried and carried on some of the good work that we did previously when I took over as Chairman. This year we have an unfinished agenda. Sure we’ve made a lot of progress; we’ve rejuvenated the entire membership pool, we’ve signed on a lot of new companies, we’ve had very large events but I don’t think it’s a closed chapter yet.”

“I have the privilege of handing over the position to Nadija as she comes from John Keells, which is a flagship company that has led the way in this initiative; she’s been with the Board for many years and I must stress here that she’s been a very active participant and it makes sense as I hand over the position to her, to continue some of the things that we are doing,” he said.

He concluded by acknowledging LBCH COO Sharmini Mendis who has been a strong contributor to their cause: “She is an individual who we must recognise in LBCH. She has been with us for many years. In fact when we started LBCH she was a pillar in terms of putting the foundation. Some of you who’ve been on the Board or Committee would agree that LBCH would not be where it is without her.”

Pix by Lasantha Kumara