'International assignments help develop skills'

Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) believes in providing its employees the opportunity to gain exposure in foreign markets within the British American Tobacco Group (BAT), to prepare them to take up leadership roles in the future. Thusitha Abeyesekera returns to Sri Lanka as the Corporate Strategy Manager. In his new role, he will report to the CEO and drive the strategic business agenda for CTC in 2015 and beyond. Thusitha joined under BAT's global Management Trainee program and since then has held key roles in strategic and operational aspects of brand and trade marketing.

"International assignments are key to developing the skills and experience one needs within a vast global enterprise like ours. But for these to be successful, the roles have to be taken up by the right

people at the right time," said the CEO, Ceylon Tobacco Company, Felicio Ferraz.

Thusitha Abeyesekera recently returned after a two-year stint at BAT's South Asian Head Office in Pakistan. He was seconded to Pakistan under BAT's Leadership Development Program where he deployed BAT's new trade marketing and distribution strategy in the South Asia.

Abeyesekera was presented the Tier 3 award, the highest form of recognition to be awarded to an employee and the first Sri Lankan to be awarded the honour in Pakistan, for his outstanding performance.

"Working in another market is one of those challenging yet absolutely fulfilling experiences," said Abeyesekera.

"It's challenging because you are out of your comfort zone and you need start building your network from the ground. The confidence you gain from knowing that you can perform in an unfamiliar and challenging market context is immense," he said.

Before taking up the assignment in Pakistan, he was presented with the Chairman's Award by CTC and the coveted CIMA Business Leaders Award in 2012.