20th October 2020: The leading commercial forestry conglomerate in Sri Lanka which stands as a truly Sri Lankan Company providing exceptional green investment opportunities, Sadaharitha Plantations Limited announced the appointment of Dr. Pradeep Edward to its Board as the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer.
“It is my great pleasure to welcome Dr. Pradeep Edward to Sadaharitha Group as the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer. I am confident that Pradeep’s wide experience, skills and interests will further strengthen our business strategies to drive innovation and business growth,” said Mr.Sathish Nawarathne, Chairman of Sadaharitha Plantations Limited. He further stated, “Today our green branches have spread around the world with a growth above industry norms. And we hold over 3000 acres of sustainable forestry lands of mahogany, Sandalwood, Teak and Aquilaria (Agarwood) as an addition to our portfolio.” He elaborated that the group has earned many achievements in the sector while diversifying its resources such as Sadaharitha Investments (Private) Limited , providing investment management solutions, Sadaharitha Agri Farms and Exports (SAFE) to export organic vegetables and commodities , Sadaharitha Property Developers (Private)Limited for Property developing Solutions and Sadaharitha Capital Trust Limited. “We are confident that Dr. Pradeep Edward joining to lead our team will help us to strengthen the group’s expansion to the next level,” stated the Chairman.
Dr. Pradeep Edward is a Certified Professional Marketer (Asia Pacific), Practicing Marketer (Sri Lanka), Chartered Marketer (CIM-UK), and a Fellow member of Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM-UK). He was awarded the Fellow Membership of the Institute of Management Specialist (IMS-UK) and a Honorary Fellow from the Institute of Marketing Malaysia and Certified Professional Finance Manager from the Institute of Professional Finance Mangers (IPFM-UK); and a Life Member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing – SLIM. He also holds a Ph.D., MBA, Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing / Business Management and a Diploma in Finance.
Dr. Pradeep Edward was a Council member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing, serving in the capacity of President. He is also the Current Secretary General of the Asia Marketing Federation, the Apex body in the region representing over 18 counties. He is also the Vice President of the Private Laboratory Association, Vice President of the OBU of St Peters’ College Colombo – 04 and the current Chairman of the Management Club – Colombo
Furthermore, he is a Past President of the Pharma Promoters Association of Sri Lanka, and a Past President of the Buckinghamshire University MBA Alumni. Further, he has served as the Secretary of Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry in association with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, held positions at the National Chamber of Commerce and is involved in activities in the Presidential Secretariat. He was a Member of the National Branding Committee to develop a strategic global campaign for Sri Lankan Exports and a Selection Committee member of the EDB. He was also a Director of CPM society at Sri Lanka and was an EXCO member of the OPA.
Prior to his current appointment, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of Lanka Hospitals Diagnostics for 3 years where he was instrumental in turning around the LHD business into the next level by achieving an 18% revenue growth and 49% in profitability in the very first year of taking over the operations in 2018. In the second year despite the Easter Attacks, recorded a 100% achievement in profitability with a 17% growth and in 2020 despite the Covid 19 outbreak LHD was one of the first companies to turn around the business operation. He Counts over 25 years of work experience in both local and multinational companies, of which 18 years were in the Managerial capacity with over 10 years reporting at Board Level in General Management /COO and CEO Capacity.
Dr Pradeep Edward has won international awards such as Specialized Marketing Manager Award from IMS-UK and was awarded the Deshamanya award for the service he has rendered to the nation. He has been a Judge and Technical Advisor at both local and international programs such as National Exporters Awards / Asia Marketing Excellence Awards / Reckitt Benckiser Global Challenge/ Asia Women’s Business Awards and Asia Youth Award.`
Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Edward stated, “I am delighted and honoured to be entrusted with this opportunity to join Sadaharitha and work with its passionate team of professionals to nurture and steer the company towards further growth. Sadaharitha is a unique platform, in terms of future profitability, growth and innovation and I look forward to improve consumer experience, while being at the helm of the nation’s market leader in commercial forestry.”