Ishara Nanayakkara

Ishara Nanayakkara is a prominent entrepreneur serving on the Boards of many corporates and conglomerates in the region. He initially ventured into the arena of financial services with a strategic investment in LOLC Holdings PLC and was appointed to the Board in 2002. Today, he is the Chairman of Browns Group, holding directorships in many of its subsidiaries and associate companies. His vision to cater to the entire value chain of the finance sector manifested in the development of microfinance, Islamic finance, factoring through LOLC Factors, LOLC Life & General Insurance Companies and stock broking through LOLC Securities Ltd. Leveraging LOLC Group’s expertise in the SME sector, the expansion into the micro sector was spearheaded by Mr. Nanayakkara.This interest in microfinance led to the growth of LOLC Group’s international footprint, starting with an investment in PRASAC, the largest microfinance company in Cambodia, followed by the inauguration of LOLC Myanmar Microfinance Company Ltd, a green field investment in Myanmar in which he was the founding Chairman, as well as his strategic involvement in LOLC Cambodia Ltd; the 5th largest microfinance company in Cambodia. Building upon his forte in microfinance, LOLC Group has further expanded its offshore portfolio with Mr. Nanayakkara serving as a Director of Pak Oman Microfinance Bank Limited, a joint venture based in Pakistan between the governments of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Sultanate of Oman. Mr. Nanayakkara’s motivation to expand into various growth peripheries is further illustrated through his role as the Executive Chairman of Browns Investments PLC. Through various strategic investments, he is committed to catalysing development in the growth sectors of the Sri Lankan economy. Endorsing his entrepreneurial spirit, Mr. Nanayakkara received the prestigious ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ Award at the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards (APEA) in 2012. He holds a diploma in Business Accounting from Australia.

Other key appointments: Deputy Chairman – LOLC Holdings PLC & Seylan Bank PLC, Executive Chairman - Browns Investments PLC, Chairman - LOLC Life Assurance Ltd, LOLC Development Finance PLC, Director - Associated Battery Manufacturers (Cey) Ltd, Sierra Construction Ltd, PRASAC, the largest microfinance company in Cambodia, LOLC Myanmar Microfinance Co. Ltd, Pak Oman MFB, LOLC Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, LOLC Asia (Pvt) Ltd, LOLC International Private Limited and LOLC Private Limited.