6-9th December 2018

Colombo, Sri Lanka

As global growth starts to ease, and with India due for general elections, IMA's 2018 CEO Roundtable in Colombo, Sri Lanka will review growth prospects and business opportunities in a period marked by technological change, geopolitical tensions, political flux, and the imperative of continuous - often radical - transformation.

Principal Sponsors


Agenda


3.00 PM

AT THE MAIN HALL, TAJ SAMUDRA

  • Registration
Come together over tea to kick-off the 2018 offsite in the company of friends and peers from across the country. Facing Sri Lanka’s historic Galle Face Green, Taj Samudra offers enchanting views of the mesmerising Indian Ocean, Galle Face Green and the vibrant city of Colombo.

3:30 PM

ADIT JAIN, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, IMA INDIA

  • A Global Economic Review
Adit Jain, Chairman and Editorial Director, IMA India
Over the past few months, the global environment has both challenged and comforted. In 2017, the world economy grew by 3.8%, its fastest since 2011. The IMF forecasts similar growth this year and 3.9% in 2019. However, economies move in cycles and the current upswing has already lasted a long time. It will take just a trigger or two for the cycle to turn again and currently, there are several such triggers. These include rising nationalism, geopolitical tensions and a reversing dollar carry-trade led by US monetary tightening. However, there are a few threats more worrying than the prospect of a breakdown in the global trade architecture.

The Annual CEO Roundtable will open with Adit Jain, IMA India’s Editorial Director, providing an over-arching outlook for the global economy in the context of trade and security tensions. Adit has authored over a thousand articles over the years on issues relating to the global and Indian economy, politics and business best practices. In the past, he has been called upon to depose at Parliamentary Committee deliberations provide inputs towards policy formulation. In addition to his editorial responsibilities, Adit speaks at business forums across India and Asia as well as Board meetings and strategy discussions.

5.00 PM

DISCUSSION BREAK

  • Discussion Break

5.30 PM

RAJAT SETHI, POLITICAL STRATEGIST, BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY

  • 2019: Election Strategies and Dynamics
Rajat Sethi, Political Strategist, Bharatiya Janata Party
The BJP’s electoral successes of Lok Sabha 2014 and several state assemblies thereafter have put the spotlight on the role of data and analytics combined with marketing and communication capabilities. The victory in Assam in 2016 was particularly important as the state had been dominated by the Congress for decades and the BJP barely had a presence. Thanks to its superior data analysis and electoral capabilities, the party swept to power with an overwhelming majority – 86 of the 126 seats – eventually paving the way for larger inroads in the North East.

Rajat Sethi, a public policy graduate from Harvard and an engineer from IIT, was instrumental in this process. Rajat and his team, through innovative approaches and the use of new-age analytical tools, took the election management game to the next level. The idea of establishing a unique citizen engagement series to initiate a dialogue with people and reflect on their aspirations became the basis of a ‘vision document’ for the BJP instead of a conventional manifesto. Intensive mining of data, for each constituency, on socio-economic indicators such as health and education lent valuable insights. Engage with Rajat as he shares an insider’s perspective on the mechanics of modern-day electoral battles with a specific reference to some of the recent encounters he has been involved in.

7.00 PM

AT THE SOUTH LAWNS

  • Cocktails and Dinner

9.00 AM

ANAND ARNI, DISTINGUISHED FELLOW OF THE GEOSTRATEGY PROGRAMME, THE TAKSHASHILA INSTITUTION

  • Geopolitics and National security
Anand Arni, Distinguished Fellow of the Geostrategy Programme, The Takshashila Institution
Defence and national security at one end and trade at the other, form the plinth of any country’s strategic priorities in today’s world. In India’s case, a hostile neighbourhood is an added layer that defines its priorities and alliances. On the one hand, China’s behaviour has become increasingly aggressive and, on the other, there is Pakistan which remains unstable and unpredictable. The election of the new Imran Khan Government brings a new set of imponderables into the equation. Engage with one of India’s most authoritative minds on national security and geo-politics to arrive at a fresh assessment of the immediate geopolitical context.

Anand Arni was formerly Special Secretary in the Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW) for 37 years. In the R&AW, he spent over 25 years in dealing with issues related to Pakistan and Afghanistan. He has also dealt with counter-insurgency in the Northeast and was a part of the team sent to Kandahar to negotiate with the hostage takers of IC 814.

10.00 AM

VENKY MYSORE, CEO, KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS

  • Championing a Turnaround
Venky Mysore, CEO, Kolkata Knight Riders
In today’s uncertain environment, teams are constantly under pressure to do more with less. With limited resources, turning around a struggling team is harder than ever, requiring managers to identify and optimise individual capabilities. However, behind every great underdog story is a leader who brings the best in individuals to propel the team to victory.

Venky Mysore joined Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2010 when the team was regarded as an underdog. He was quick to take some tough decisions by letting famous yet poor performers go. He extensively leveraged data analytics to pick new faces to create a winning team from scratch that won its first Indian Premier League title in 2012. Mr Mysore will provide a practitioner’s perspective on building a winning team.

11.00 AM

DISCUSSION BREAK

  • Discussion Break

11.30 AM

Rajeev Mittal, Managing Director – India, UiPath

  • Shaping the Future of Work
Rajeev Mittal, Managing Director – India, UiPath
Intelligent automation has been on an exponential rise for the past decade. Current yet evolving technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, robotic automation and Machine Learning are shaping how businesses operate, and have the potential to improve a company’s efficiency in anything from HR to marketing, data analysis to customer service. The potential is huge. That is why software vendors are investing heavily in new-age technologies and in creating innovative solutions. One such example of a global software company is UiPath which is bringing automation to repetitive processes inside large organisations. The company is part of the growing field of robotic process automation or RPA. Founded in 2015, UiPath went from USD 1 million to USD 100 million in annual recurring revenue in under 21 months, and is currently valued at USD 3 billion. Engage in a conversation with Rajeev Mittal, MD of UiPath’s India operations as he decodes the secrets behind the company’s astonishing growth from a Romanian start-up to a global player, and will talk about the technology trends that every company should watch out for.

12.30 PM

ANUROOP SINGH, FOUNDER DIRECTOR & PROMOTER OF THE QUANTUM INSTITUTE FOR WELLBEING

  • The Art of Wellness: Making the Right
    Food Choices
Anuroop Singh, Founder Director & promoter of The Quantum Institute for Wellbeing
The discussions on eating – especially in the media and nutritionist community – often focus on negative eating behaviours such as counting calories, restricting foods and dieting. Similarly, health campaigns typically encourage consumers to trade-off the guilty pleasure of comfort foods for health benefits. However, many studies have established that diets and restrained eating are counterproductive and even have a negative impact on the mind. A promising new perspective entails a shift from looking at ‘food as health’ to ‘food as well-being’ by making the right food choices.

Anuroop (Tony) Singh is on the IMA advisory board and was regional CEO and non-executive director for a number of prominent companies. Presently, he is leading an intentional community of seekers of a holistic and integrated approach to wellbeing. The community has assimilated a lot of knowledge about food and nutrition and its deep connection with human well-being. In a 30- minute presentation, he will share his learnings relating to sensible food choices we need to make in the present times. He will explain the special menu for a healthy lunch which follows the presentation.

1.00 PM

Wellness Luncheon

  • Wellness Luncheon

2:00 PM

VIKAS CHOUDHURY, PRESIDENT, RELIANCE JIO

  • Technology Disruption: Changing
    the Rules of the Game
Vikas Choudhury, President, Reliance Jio
Every once in a while, a companys entry into a market will change industry dynamics in a manner unforeseen, with supply creating demand or strategy disrupting competition dramatically. Sometimes it is about innovation or a new business model; at other times, about sheer scale. Over the last few years, such changes have become increasingly frequent and have emanated from unexpected quarters. Is there a pattern that can be gleaned from these phenomena?

Vikas Choudhury, an alumnus of the University of Pittsburgh and Harvard Business School, will provide a view on how some businesses are disrupting existing paradigm and creating new avenues for competitive advantage. Previously, Mr Choudhury was the Managing Director of Aimia Inc, a world leader in data-driven marketing and consumer analytics, where he successfully built an e-commerce aggregator and sold to Reliance. He has also led businesses in retail and investment banking after being Founder CEO of a global analytics company. He started his career in Management Consulting with CSC and Arthur Andersen in USA. He has been named Asia's Top 50 Retail Professionals, and is a national award-winning photographer.

3.30 PM

LEISURELY VISIT TO MOUNT LAVINIA

  • Leisurely Visit to Mount Lavinia
Famed for its ‘Golden Mile’ of beaches, Mount Lavinia had until now escaped most of the damaging industrialisation of neighbouring cities and urban centres. Enjoy the walk at the beach; experience the sunset; and reminisce the colonial era architecture.

8.00 PM

AT THE POOLSIDE

  • Cocktails and dinner

9.00 AM

S PRASANNARAJAN, EDITOR, OPEN MAGAZINE

  • Politics and India's Morphing Society
S Prasannarajan, Editor, Open Magazine
The BJPs decisive victory in 2014 elections coupled with an impressive string of wins in multiple states over the past four years represents a critical juncture for the Indian political system. Today, the BJP is the main pole in Indian politics. This is unlikely to change significantly even if the BJP loses the elections of 2019. On the downside, job creation and economic performance are serious handicaps for the current government, as it has not delivered on these fronts. However, the opposition’s plan of cornering the NDA on corruption and bank frauds will not have much of an electoral impact. The unsavoury theme of caste dynamics could be played by the opposition in various states, especially in the battleground states of UP and Bihar. All this will have implications for policy making in the immediate term and the society at large.

S Prasannarajan is Editor of Open magazine, a flagship brand of Open Media Network – the venture of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group. Before this, he was the Managing Editor of India Today. His understanding of the Indian political fabric and the subtler behind-the-scenes nuances that often influence outcomes is extensive. He will provide his perspective on evolving political dynamics in India in the wake of a morphing society.

10:00 AM

Dr Pawan Agrawal, Author and Educationist

  • Excellence in Efficiency: The Dabbawala
    Story
Dr Pawan Agrawal, Author and Educationist
Dressed in white outfits and traditional Gandhi caps, an army of 5,000 dabbawalas fulfil the hunger of almost 200,000 Mumbaikars with home-cooked food, daily, on time with an accuracy rate of 99.99% with 100% customer satisfaction. Amazingly, the dabbawalas – with semiliterate workers – have achieved this level of performance at very low cost, in an eco-friendly way and without the use of any IT system or even cell phones. Six Sigma, ISO and many other certifications awarded to this organisation by external organisations only confirm its excellent supply chain and logistics management capabilities. Dr Pawan Agarwal, who earned his doctorate studying how the dabbawalas operate, will share the lessons that make the 118-year old organisation successful and elaborate on the ideals of passion, teamwork, dedication and hard work

11.30 AM

Discussion Break

  • Discussion Break

12.00 PM

Ramesh Gopalkrishna, Market Development Lead – APAC, Workplace by Facebook
Ashish Vohra, CEO, Reliance Nippon Life Insurance

  • Workplaces of the Future
Ramesh Gopalkrishna, Market Development Lead – APAC, Workplace by Facebook
Ashish Vohra, CEO, Reliance Nippon Life Insurance

In a digital age, organisational structures are shifting from the old model of complex hierarchies designed for efficiency and effectiveness to flexible team-based models designed for speed, agility and collaboration. Technology solutions such as collaborative tools and the cloud have enabled smooth remote working for a more balanced and productive workforce. Going forward, new technologies such as AI, VR, AR will enable companies to create a more seamless, automated and collaborative space for everyone.

Ramesh and his team work closely with organisations to drive the transformation to the workplace of the future. Ramesh is passionate about the role technology can play in connecting the world and driving digital disruption.

Ashish joined Reliance Nippon Life Insurance from Max Life Insurance where he spent 8 years and served as Senior Director and Chief Distribution Officer responsible for building balanced multichannel distribution across the nation, increasing agency productivity, acquiring key partnership and bancassurance tie-ups, and developing new channels of distribution. The session with Ramesh and Ashish aims to decode the trends critical in shaping the workplace of the future and the changes in store for the workplace, the workforce and the work itself.

1.00 PM

LUNCHEON

  • Luncheon

2.00 PM

RAVI VENKATESAN, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE & INNOVATION AT UNICEF

  • Beyond profession: What next?
Ravi Venkatesan, Special Representative for Young People & Innovation at UNICEF
Achieving personal fulfilment beyond work and business eludes many. The daily grind and work-related pressures often times takes a toll on personal priorities. Many look forward to retirement to renew their focus on personal goals, but health-related issues often act as an impediment. A successful second inning requires clarity, commitment and discipline that come with time and age. Join Ravi Venkatesan, one of India’s most respected CEOs, in an engaging conversation about building a life beyond work.

Ravi Venkatesan is UNICEF’s Special Representative for Young People & Innovation and also the founder of the Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME), a coalition which aims to create 10m local entrepreneurs in India and Africa by 2030. Mr Venkatesan is a former Chairman of the Bank of Baroda; between 2015-18, he oversaw the turnaround of India’s second largest public sector bank. Prior to this, as Chairman of Microsoft India, Ravi helped build India into Microsoft’s second-largest presence in the world. He has also served as Chairman of Cummins India and Co-Chairman of Infosys. Ravi has served on the boards of Harvard Business School, AB Volvo, Bunge and Thermax and is the author of an acclaimed book ‘Conquering the Chaos: Win in India, Win Everywhere’.

3.00 PM

DISCUSSION BREAK

  • Discussion Break

3.15 PM

MUKESH KRIPALANI, CEO, PAREKHPLAST INDIA

  • Transforming a Giant
Mukesh Kripalani, CEO, Parekhplast India
Today, for nearly everyone, including established, successful, and high-tech organisations, ‘digital transformation’ is about much more than just operational issues. Instead, it goes deep into the realm where systems, people and ‘things’ connect digitally. This pervasive approach to digitisation, in turn, opens up new strategic options and opportunities, and demands a call to action internally to create a winning edge for business, and perhaps, industry.

Mukesh Kripalani has been fuelling growth with digital innovation. Previously, at Marico, Mr Kripalani was identified as its digital crusader who created a carefully-curated blueprint for digital transformation at the FMCG major.

4.30 PM

A VISIT TO THE BUDDHIST TEMPLE AND MUSEUM

  • A visit to the Buddhist Temple
    and Museum
Enjoy an evening visit to Gangaramaya Temple – an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian and Chinese architecture. The temple not only serves as a place of worship but is also a centre of learning.

7.30 PM

AT LUXURY MARQUEE, AN EVENING OF GHAZALS WITH PENAZ MASANI

  • Cocktails and Dinner

9:30 AM

ANUJ DHAR, INDIAN AUTHOR AND FORMER JOURNALIST

  • India's Biggest Cover-up
Anuj Dhar, Indian author and former journalist
(This will be hosted as a joint session with spouses)

As the Second World War came to an end in Southeast Asia in August 1945, Subhas Chandra Bose boarded a plane to shift the base of India's liberation struggle to a new territory controlled by the Soviet Union. Officially, the story goes that he died on August 18, 1945 as the plane crashed in the small island of Formosa (now Taiwan), but multiple investigations later there is no certainty about his fate.

Anuj Dhar, a former investigative journalist, has devoted nearly two decades to uncover the mystery behind Bose's disappearance and has documented how India's political establishment kept swinging between its belief in Bose's death and apprehension that he might return: all in strict secrecy. The story spanning seven decades is perhaps even more engaging than that of a James Bond or a Jason Bourne. Dhar will delve into this rollercoaster of a political thriller to share his findings. Apart from his 2012 bestseller India's Biggest Cover-up, Dhar has authored several other books on topics such as the CIA's activities in South Asia and the mystery of Lal Bahadur Shastri's death in far away Tashkent.

11.00 AM

AT SAMUDRA BALLROOM

  • Brunch and Close



Children are welcome to join the Partners Programme in the daytime activities (except formal conclave sessions). As indicated at the time of registration, dinner functions are however ‘adults only’ and we would request you to ensure that alternate arrangements have been made– please contact the hotel for baby-sitting facilities if required. The programme mentioned above is intended to provide a holistic set of activities that are both entertaining and interactive. This is however completely optional – partner participants are welcome to plan independent of this programme if desired. Please inform the IMA team of the same if so. Dress Code : Informal/smart casual, also for the evenings.


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SPEAKERS

DAYS

SESSIONS

PARTICIPANTS



Speakers


Adit Jain

Chairman and Editorial Director,IMA India, Economic analyst, conservationist, wildlife photographer



Rajat Sethi

Political Strategist, Bharatiya Janata Party



Anand Arni

Distinguished Fellow of the Geostrategy Programme, The Takshashila Institution



Venky Mysore

CEO & MD, Kolkata Knight Riders & Red Chillies Entertainment



Rajeev Mittal

Managing Director – India, UiPath



Anuroop Singh

Founder Director & promoter of The Quantum Institute for Wellbeing



Vikas Choudhury

President, Reliance Jio



S Prasannarajan

Editor, Open Magazine



Dr Pawan Agrawal

Founder and President, Kamalabai Educational and Charitable Trust

Ramesh Gopalkrishna

Market Development Lead – APAC, Workplace by Facebook

Ashish Vohra

CEO, Reliance Nippon Life Insurance

Ravi Venkatesan

Special Representative for Young People & Innovation at UNICEF

Mukesh Kripalani

CEO, Parekhplast India

Anuj Dhar

Indian author and former journalist



Partners' Programme


4:30 PM

THE SEA, THE SAND, OLD FRIENDS –AND NEW

  • Registration and High tea
Come together over tea to kick off the 2018 offsite in the company of friends and peers from across the country. Facing Sri Lanka’s historic Galle Face Green, Taj Samudra offers enchanting views of the mesmerising Indian Ocean, Galle Face Green and the vibrant city of Colombo. IMA team members will facilitate an introduction amongst the group, and talk through activities planned over the next three days.

7:00 PM

At the South Lawns

  • Cocktails and Dinner

9:30 AM

  • Shopping and Sightseeing in
    'Wonder of Asia'
Often referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, Sri Lanka is a place where culture, nature and traditions are deeply intertwined. Colombo, the ‘Wonder of Asia’, is a city of endless contradictions. Infused with the wisdom of Buddhism, it has colonial architecture, ancient temples, sprawling high-rises and shopping malls existing side by side. We will spend the morning visiting some of Colombo’s bespoke art and shopping galleries.

Note: Buses will depart from the Porch by 9:30 am. Please assemble by 9:15 am.

12:30 PM

Anuroop Singh, Founder Director & promoter of The Quantum Institute for Wellbeing

  • The art of Wellness: making the
    right food choices
Discussions on eating – especially in the media and the nutritionist community – focus on negative eating behaviours, such as counting calories, restricting foods, and dieting. Similarly, health campaigns push consumers to exchange the guilty pleasure of comfort foods for ‘healthier’ options. However, recent studies have shown that diets and restrained eating are counterproductive, and have a negative impact on the mind. A promising new perspective entails looking at ‘food as well-being’ instead of ‘food as health’, and on making the right food choices.

Anuroop (Tony) Singhis on IMA’s Advisory Board and was regional CEO and Nonexecutive Director for a number of prominent companies. Presently, he leads an intentional community of seekers of a holistic and integrated approach to wellbeing. The community has assimilated a great deal of knowledge about food and nutrition and its deep connection with human well-being. In a 30-minute presentation, Tony will share his learnings related to the kinds of sensible food choices we should make. He will also explain the menu of the special healthy lunch that follows the presentation.

Note: Note: This will be hosted as a joint discussion of delegates and partners at the Ballroom.

1:00 PM

  • Wellness Lunch

2:00 PM

Vidyani Hettigoda, Director Siddhalepa

  • The Healing Touch
Over a period of 3,000 years, Sri Lanka developed an indigenous system of medicine based on a series of prescriptions handed down from generation to generation. It combines Sinhalese traditional medicine, India’s Ayurvedic and Siddha systems, the Greek Unani medicine, which made its way to Sri Lanka with the Arabs, and most importantly, the indigenous Desheeya Chikitsa system. Engage in conversation with Vidyani on Ayurveda and well-being, followed by an elixir-tasting session that balances out the doshas.

3:30 PM

  • Leisurely visit to Mount Lavinia
Famed for its ‘Golden Mile’ of beaches, Mount Lavinia had until now escaped most of the damaging industrialisation of neighbouring cities and urban centres. Enjoy a walk at the beach, experience the sunset, and admire the area’s colonial architecture.

Note: Please pay attention to your footwear, should you wish to go for a walk on the beach

8:00 PM

At the Poolside

  • Cocktails and dinner

9:30 AM

  • Barefoot and more...
We will set out this morning to catch an outside-in glimpse of Colombo, and experience the serenity of this Buddhist city. A visit to Colombo is incomplete without seeing Barefoot, and spending time inside the colourful walls of this lovely place. Barefoot, which was started by Barbara Sansoni 50 years ago, showcases products made either by workers at home or by local artists and craftsmen. There are no factories and no production lines; each worker is responsible for the quality of his or her final product. We will revel in the beauty of this wonderful craft and then move on to explore another quaint find, stopping by the famous Spa Ceylon before heading back to the hotel for a sumptuous lunch.

Note: Buses will depart from the Porch by 9:30 am. Please assemble by 9:15 am.

1:00 PM

Luncheon

  • Luncheon

2:30 PM

  • Zesta Tea Workshop
The fact that over seven billion cups of tea are consumed across the globe is proof of tea’s popularity as a beverage, second only to water. From the time it was discovered in China quite by accident, almost 5,000 years ago, tea has provided its consumers with a sense of comfort and solace. Engage in a tea-making workshop and learn about the history and origins of tea, followed by tea-tasting.

4:30 PM

  • A visit to the Buddhist Temple
Enjoy an evening visit to Gangaramaya Temple, an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian and Chinese architecture. The temple not only serves as a place of worship, but is also a centre of learning.

7:30 PM

At LUXURY MARQUEE, An evening of Ghazals with Penaz Masani

  • Cocktails and dinner

9:30 AM

Anuj Dhar, Indian author and former journalist

  • India's Biggest Cover-Up
As the Second World War came to an end in South-East Asia in August 1945, Subhas Chandra Bose boarded a plane to shift the base of India's liberation struggle to a new territory controlled by the Soviet Union. Officially, the story goes that he died on August 18, 1945 when his plane crashed in the small island of Formosa (now Taiwan), but multiple investigations later, there is no certainty about his fate.

Anuj Dhar, a former investigative journalist, has devoted nearly two decades to uncovering the mystery behind Mr Bose's disappearance. He has documented how India's political establishment has kept swinging between its belief in Mr Bose's death and apprehension that he might return – all in strict secrecy. This story, which now span seven decades, is perhaps more engaging than a James Bond or Jason Bourne thriller. Mr Dhar will delve into this rollercoaster of a political ride to share his findings. Apart from his 2012 bestseller, ‘India's Biggest Cover-up’, Mr Dhar has authored several other books on such topics as the CIA's activities in South Asia, and the mystery of Lal Bahadur Shastri's death in far-away Tashkent.

Note: This will be hosted as a joint discussion of delegates and partners at the Ballroom.

11:00 AM

AT SAMUDRA BALLROOM

  • Brunch and Close



Children are welcome to join the Partners Programme in the daytime activities (except formal conclave sessions). As indicated at the time of registration, dinner functions are however ‘adults only’ and we would request you to ensure that alternate arrangements have been made– please contact the hotel for baby-sitting facilities if required. The programme mentioned above is intended to provide a holistic set of activities that are both entertaining and interactive. This is however completely optional – partner participants are welcome to plan independent of this programme if desired. Please inform the IMA team of the same if so. Dress Code : Informal/smart casual, also for the evenings.

IMA Conferences

IMA’s Roundtables are an unrivalled hub of high-quality insight and invaluable networking. Our speakers, a mix of visionaries and industry stalwarts, ensure that these platforms are among India’s leading meeting grounds for industry Every summer for the last five – and every winter for the last twenty two years - we have taken a close group of a 100 of our members to an offsite location to brainstorm the near to medium term outlook for our operating environment.

Agenda

The Roundtable will think through prospects for India, the economy, and for its businesses. It will consider the global environment and the most crucial issue of big economic shifts as the world’s financial and fiscal environment changes, and as geo-politics remains in flux. India is in the year before the country’s next general elections already and the Forum will think through how India’s political environment, on the basis of which policy direction will be set, might pan out in our states, and at the Centre. At a secular, no less important level, digitalisation is changing organisational structures; and talent pool expectations. It will ask of new – and renewed - promises from leaders as shifts in how organisations will be formed and built transform the nature of leadership. Everything changes. Nothing changes. That is the operating paradigm and knowing what to sustain, and what to change, is the key.

As always, session formats will maximise the power of the CEO Forum through interactive debate.

About the Host City

Colombo, Sri Lanka‘s bustling commercial hub, is located on the country’s west coast and with a population of between 800,000 and one million (estimates vary) is by far the country’s biggest city, as well as the most developed. Its natural harbour at the mouth of the Kelani River was a magnet for successive traders and conquerors – initially the Arab merchants, then Portuguese, Dutch and British imperialists.

The city is a jarring mix of old and new, with a central cluster of high-rise office blocks and hotels overshadowing red-tiled colonial-era buildings and sprawling street markets which overflow with high-piled fruit and vegetables, colourful silks and cottons, and deliciously fragrant spices. On its crowded streets stand places of worship, symbolic of Sri Lanka‘s multiethnic heritage: graceful Buddhist viharas (temples), for instance, stand close to extravagant temples encrusted with Hindu statuary, along with Muslim mosques with minarets scattered along Colombo’s streets.

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