Experience

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  Novartis consumer health

  Jan 1997 - Jan 1998

  Senior brand manager

  Responsible for all aspects of the the over the counter brands Voltaren, Otrivin and Lamisil.

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  H&t

  Jan 1999 - Jan 2001

  General manager

  GM of Australia’s leading branding agencies specializing in healthcare and agribusiness. Managed a staff of 10 with a turnover of $20M. Given sole responsibility to set up the Melbourne Agency. Successfully grew the business within 4 years to become the No. 2 specialized agency in the state of Victoria. Won market-leading brands and clients such as Bayer, Glaxo, SmithKline, Novartis and National Australia Bank. Negotiated initial stages of acquisition for the No. 1 specialist agency in Victoria. Responsible for feasibility study and business plan to set up specialized healthcare agencies in 5 key Asian hubs. Show less

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  The ceylon heritage trust (pvt) ltd

  Jan 2003 - Dec 2007

  Managing director

  Managing Director of an innovative management company running a group of businesses involved in up-market tourism, handicraft development and event management in Sri Lanka. Turnover US$1.7 million and staff of 100. Responsible for the operational, financial, marketing and legal management. Developed the strategic direction of all existing businesses and supervised new business development and business start ups.

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  Sri lanka instyle

  Jun 2004 - Sept 2005

  Manager

  Sri Lanka’s first & only independent association of small original hotels, villas and service providers focused on providing up market & unique experiences in Sri Lanka. www.srilankainstyle.comSLIS is a marketing vehicle developed to maximize awareness of Sri Lanka as an up market tourist destination. Travel InStyle manages the brand Sri Lanka InStyle on behalf of its members.

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  Travel instyle (pvt) ltd

  Jan 2005 - Sept 2005

  Managing director

  Managing Director of Sri Lanka’s first inbound ground handler and online travel agent developed specifically to target the up-market traveller. Responsible for all aspects of the business start up. Oversaw first 6 months of operation. Recruited a management and operational team to run the business for the long term.

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  Adlib consulting

  Jan 2008 - now

  Director

  AdLib Consulting offers a range of strategic services specialising in private sector development, inclusive growth and sustainable tourism.Development Sector Clients:- Netherlands Enterprise Agency, Uganda- The Nature Conservancy, Solomon Islands- Asian Development Bank, Pacific Region- The World Bank, Malaysia- Swisscontact, Bangladesh - S4IG, Scope Global - Sri Lanka (DFAT)- Laos Business Environment Project, Adam Smith International (USAID)- IFC, Solomon Islands- IFC, Myanmar- Cardno, Sri Lanka (DFAT)- MDF Sri Lanka, Palladium (DFAT)- PwC, Myanmar (DFID)- The World Bank, Indonesia- Strongim Bisnis - Adam Smith International, Solomon Islands (DFAT)- MDF Pakistan, Cardno (DFAT)- Swisscontact, Cambodia- Swisscontact, Myanmar - Adam Smith International, Sri Lanka (DFAT)- Swisscontact, Laos (SECO & Asia Development Bank)- World Bank Group, Romania- AECOM International Development, Jordan (USAID)- The Aga Khan Foundation, Pakistan (CIDA)- The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Pakistan- USAID VEGA/BIZ+, Sri Lanka- The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development: Tourism Promotion Services, Pakistan. - The Asia Foundation, Sri Lanka (DFAT)- USAID / Connecting Regional Economies (CORE), Sri Lanka (AECOM)Private Sector Clients:- QUO Global, Asia- Tri, Sri Lanka- Uga Resorts, Sri Lanka- Serena Hotels, Pakistan- Jetwing PVT Ltd, Sri Lanka- Deithelm Travels, Sri Lanka- Aman Resorts, Sri Lanka- Kahanda Kanda, Sri Lanka- Sri Lanka Instyle PVT Ltd, Sri Lanka Show less

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  Jetwing travels

  Jun 2008 - Nov 2008

  Tourism business development consultant

  Jetwing PVT Ltd is Sri Lanka’s 3rd largest leisure business with a turnover of US$30+ million. Responsible for the development of a new business strategy, restructured one of the business divisions (Jetwing Tailormade) and assisted to implement the business plan. Developed new standard operating procedure (SOPs), involved in the recruitment of a new management team. Developed & implemented training programs to build capacity of all staff. Led the development of the web strategy for the new company division, Jetwing Tailormade. Show less

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  Luxe city guides

  Jun 2009 - Feb 2011

  Co-editor - sri lanka

  The consummately smart choice for today’s busy, sophisticated and luxury traveler www.luxecityguides.com

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  Diethelm travel group

  Aug 2009 - Dec 2009

  Business development consultant

  Diethelm Travels is Sri Lanka’s fourth largest tourism Destination Management Company with an annual turnover of US$15 million. Responsible for business development and product design preparing the business for the future needs of the tourism industry. Developed & implemented training programs to build capacity of all staff.

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  Usaid

  Jul 2010 - Oct 2021

  Private sector advisor ● sustainable tourism consultant

  𝐋𝐚𝐨 𝐏𝐃𝐑 (𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏) Conducted a regulatory review of tourism legislation, reviewed destination management governance models, and developed a Prime Ministerial Decree for a tourism marketing and promotion board. These were key parts of the Laos Business Environment Project that strengthened national-level facilitation and enhanced the competitiveness of small local businesses.𝐉𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐧 (𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟒) Improved the business climate for small businesses and increased the competitiveness of the Jordanian tourism sector by developing a technical proposal for AECOM’s US$45 million ‘building economic sustainability through tourism’ (BEST) project.𝐒𝐫𝐢 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐚 (𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟎 𝐭𝐨 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟐) ►As part of USAID’s CORE program focused on women’s economic empowerment in post-conflict areas developing strategies and programs for tourism as a tool for economic growth.►Provided technical advice on how the USAID’s BIZ+ program could support and grow SMEs – stimulating local economies in post-conflict areas in Eastern Sri Lanka. Show less

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  The asia foundation

  Jun 2011 - Jan 2014

  Private sector development - tourism

  Worked with local and provincial government as well as the tourism private sector in the Central Province of Sri Lanka on the development of tourism products, services and assets in non traditional tourism areas. Developed a Public-Private Partnership for the implementation of destination marketing activities. The project formed part of the Local Economic Governance (LEG) project aimed at stimulating economic activity in “lagging regions” of Sri Lanka improving the “enabling environment” for private sector-led growth and investment. Show less

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  Aga khan foundation

  Sept 2011 - May 2013

  Sustainable tourism consultant

  (𝐅𝐞𝐛 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟑) Lead on Enhancing Employability and Leadership for Youth (EELY) in Pakistan improving the quality, outreach and labour market relevance of skill development services for young men and women including increasing the number of youth and women-owned SMEs. (𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟐 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟑) Develop cultural heritage tourism trails across northern Pakistan.(𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟏 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟑) Develop ESG and marketing plans for four of Serena Hotels in northern Pakistan. Show less

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  Uga resorts

  May 2012 - Jan 2013

  Business consultant - sustainable tourism

  Uga Resorts is one of Sri Lanka’s up market tourism businesses with three properties located in the North Central, Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka. Provided strategic business advice on human resource management, distribution channels, sales strategy and overall business structure for the start up phase. Also provided capacity building of all staff on sustainable tourism, the development of strategic marketing and PR plans for three luxury hotels and the development of branding strategy and brand mandate. Show less

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  Trilanka / ereedee enterprises (pvt) limited

  Aug 2013 - Feb 2014

  Sustainable tourism consultant

  Ereedee Enterprises was at the time a new business start up building and managing a sustainable luxury hotel on Koggala Lake, Sri Lanka. The project involved providing business advice to the principal owners during the pre opening phase as well as developing a strategic marketing plan and brand mandate for the hotel. The next phase will involve developing Environmental Management Systems and sustainable tourism policies and plans.

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  The world bank

  Aug 2014 - Jun 2023

  Private sector advisor ● senior tourism specialist

  𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐚 (𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏 - 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑) Supported the Ministry of Tourism, the Economic and Planning Unit of the Prime Ministers Department, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and SMEs and other key stakeholders to create a tourism recovery roadmap. Assessed the key constraints and economic potential of tourism in Malaysia with a focus on revitalising a more sustainable and inclusive tourism sector post the COVID-19 crisis. Additionally, led a related 12-month project that assisted the government in assessing the potential of nature-based tourism, conducting consumer research into the UK, Australian, Japanese and Singaporean markets for high-value tourism in Malaysia. Subsequently, I developed recommendations for investment opportunities and policy changes required to support implementation and change.𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚 (𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟔 - 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟖) Supported the development of a A$850m loan to the Government of Indonesia, extending tourism beyond Bali into three destinations. Designed the distribution of funds across SME public development investment, infrastructure, and skills development.𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐚 (𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟒) Provided analytical and advisory services for the development of nature-based tourism and recreational fishing as an alternative livelihood for traditional fishermen. Emphasis was placed on generating employment via new SMEs. Developed an employment strategy and action plan for inclusion in an integrated development strategy for the EU’s most economically lagging region of Romania – the Danube Delta. The employment study forms part of a framework for a new EU-funded (Euro265 million) instrument called Integrated Territorial Investments in Romania. Show less

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  Adam smith international

  Nov 2014 - Nov 2017

  Private sector specialist

  𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 (𝐅𝐞𝐛 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟔 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟕) Identified potential investment areas for the Government of Australia (DFAT), assessing the tourism sector and likelihood of sustainable economic growth beyond extractive industries.𝐒𝐫𝐢 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐚 (𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟒 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟓) Developed recommendations for DFAT on which sectors of the economy would be best to invest in to support the growth of the private sector and contribute to an equitable and sustainable economic future. Show less

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  Quo global

  May 2015 - Aug 2015

  Brand strategy consultant

  Brand strategist consulting on the development and rejuvenation of tourism and hospitality brands throughout Asia.

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  Swisscontact

  Nov 2015 - Apr 2022

  Agriculture & private sector development specialist

  𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐡 (𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐) Assessed why significant investment in the micro-insurance sector to help alleviate the impacts of climate change for poor farmers in Bangladesh has failed. Subsequently developed recommendations for the Swiss Economic Development Corporation and the Government of Bangladesh.𝐌𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐦𝐚𝐫 (𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟗 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏) Developed the proposal for significant funding, the ‘Livelihood and Food Security Trust Fund’. These investment recommendations focussed on farm advisory services and producer groups, off-farm employment, new livelihood opportunities, skill development and safe migration opportunities for refugees.𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐚 (𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟔) Developed the 4-year economic growth program in Cambodia, with a focus on the tourism sector.𝐋𝐚𝐨 𝐏𝐃𝐑 (𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟓 𝐭𝐨 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟔) ►Developed sustainable destination management plans for the Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism in four key provinces and at a national level (the project was part of the ADB’s US$43 million Tourism Infrastructure for Inclusive Growth (TIIGP) project). ► Boosted local economic development in the southern Lao PDR province of Champasak by developing and implementing strategies that helped small business owners and secured an award-winning brand for the destination. Show less

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  Cardno international development

  Jan 2017 - Sept 2020

  Private sector development

  𝐒𝐫𝐢 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐚 (𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎) Prepared the investment note for the third phase of the Skills for Inclusive Growth program in Sri Lanka, for DFAT.𝐏𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧 (𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟕) Researched and authored a global case study on what it takes to generate viable and scalable business models in agriculture that will alleviate poverty in established economies, with a focus on Pakistan.

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  Pwc

  Jun 2018 - Jun 2019

  Facilitator - business accelerator programs

  Developed and delivered business accelerator seminars to educate small businesses in building economic growth, growing wealth, and ultimately reducing poverty.

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  Palladium: make it possible

  Jun 2018 - Aug 2024

  Private sector development advisor

  𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏 𝐭𝐨 Augus𝐭 2024: Working with the private sector in rural Sri Lanka to pilot and incentivise programs core to the implementation strategy of the Australian Government’s S4IG ‘skills for inclusive growth’ program moving technical vocational and education training from public to a market-driven private sector model. Advocating to the Sri Lankan government at a national, provincial and district level to ensure critical policy changes in the TVEC sector and institutionalisation of PPPs.𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟖: Identified investment opportunities in soft and hard critical infrastructure to expand tourism into economically lagging regions of Sri Lanka - beyond the overcrowded tourism circuit in Sri Lanka. Developed recommendations for the Australian government-funded Market Development Facility on where and what it could invest in for 2019-2023 identifying destinations, intervention areas, and future potential partners (private, public and development sectors). Show less

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  Ifc - international finance corporation

  Sept 2019 - Dec 2021

  Private sector specialist

  𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 (𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏) Supported the development of tools for the Government of Solomon Islands to identify investable land that is both environmentally and socially relevant for tourism and the local communities.𝐅𝐢𝐣𝐢 (𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏) Assessed the issues and constraints that were impacting small regional tourism providers.𝐌𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐦𝐚𝐫 (𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟗 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏) Led an environmental and social diagnostic study that identified an equitable and sustainable development pathway for tourism. Assessed multiple tourism investment opportunities related to refinancing, refurbishment/renovations, greening / decarbonising including determining the public sector investments required to unlock destination growth and management over a 3 to 10 year period. Show less

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  Asian development bank (adb)

  Aug 2022 - Apr 2024

  Senior regulatory and tourism specialist

  𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: Working with Pacific Island countries to stimulate public development and overcome key constraints to small business operators in the tourism industry.𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬: Assessed the role tourism plays in the development of Coral Reef Financing Mechanisms that protect valuable reef ecosystems from the effects of climate change in the Arnavons Community Marine Park, Solomon Islands. Developed risk mechanisms and new plans for this nascent tourism destination and fragile environment. Show less

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  The nature conservancy

  Jan 2024 - Nov 2024

  Strategist and business development specialist

  Facilitated stakeholders from three remote island communities - conducted workshops and capacity building sessions to achieve agreement on the ownership and governance structure of newly funded centre. Supported The Arnavons Community Marine Park Management Committee and the KAWAKI women's network Executive Committee determine the most viable and sustainable ownership and governance structures for the new centre. Delivered a sustainability framework for a new Education, Conservation and Ecotourism Centre in the Arnavon Islands, Solomon Islands. Framework focussed on key management components - business planning, human resource management, marketing etc. Show less

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  Netherlands enterprise agency

  Apr 2024 - Sept 2024

  Strategist

  Led development of the country's first Sustainability Destination Marketing Strategy for Uganda Tourism Board. Strategy supports strategic and sustainable investments for medium to long-term growth of sector.