HNBA News

Setting a new benchmark for itself, HNB Assurance PLC bagged the prestigious Gold Award at the National Convention on Quality and Productivity 2024, hosted by the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Quality and Productivity (SLAAQP). The company’s project to streamline its procurement operations while reducing and lead time was recognized for its impact and use of automation.

Aligned to the company’s broader objective of efficiency improvement and value creation, this award-winning project is part of HNB Assurance's strategy to improve operational efficiency and achieve 100% paperless operations by 2026. 

HNB Assurance PLC’s CEO, Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, shared his thoughts "Winning this award is a great honor as it recognizes our commitment to enhancing our operations whereby helping us provide better value to our stakeholders. As a company, we continuously seek opportunities to embrace automation and digitization, so, credit to the Business Process Excellence Team along with IT, Finance, Procurement, and all other teams who collaborated and contributed to this remarkable achievement. I’m certain this recognition will motivate our teams to keep pushing the boundaries of excellence and reinforce our commitment to operational efficiency.”

The Lean Six Sigma DMAIC methodology was used as the teams successfully improved the lead time of the procurement process. The DMAIC methodology can be used to identify bottlenecks, implement solutions, and achieve measurable improvements which in this case improved the overall efficiency of the company’s procurement operations.

"In this fast-paced digital world, staying ahead and meeting evolving customer demands requires us to improve and innovate continuously.” Stated Mrs. Geethani Saram, Head of Business Process Excellence and Strategy. “Internal processes are crucial, especially in the service industry, prompting us to reassess our methods and explore avenues for enhancement. This award resulted from a long-term strategic initiative by HNBA to empower employees for scientific recognition of operational gaps and their resolution through adaptation of Lean Six Sigma methodology. The framework facilitated identifying our procurement process as a critical area for improvement and implementing effective solutions to speed up and set a new standard. My sincere thanks to SLAAQP for this recognition as it validate our efforts and inspires us to continuously innovate and drive efficiency across all our processes.”

The “Golden Awards 2024” hosted by HNB Assurance and HNB General Insurance, celebrated and recognized the outstanding achievements of top performers, including network management and branch managers from Hatton National Bank, for their significant contributions to the growth of HNBA and HNBGI. The year 2023 was an outstanding period for both HNBA and HNBGI, with impressive financial performances which proved their partnership with HNB to be one of the best in the industry. 

Mr. Damith Pallewatte, Acting Chief Executive Officer of HNB, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, opined, “Having participated in this event for several years, it is incredibly heartening to witness the sustained growth and progress achieved by both HNBA and HNBGI. As we look to the future, I see immense potential and opportunity. I am confident that by continuing to innovate and prioritizing customer-centric solutions, we as a group, can not only maintain our strong position but also dominate the market. Let me also remind you that the bank is fully committed to supporting both HNBA and HNBGI, so let us get out there and redefine the landscape of banking and insurance.”

The newly appointed Chairman of HNBA and HNBGI, Mr. Stuart Chapman, stated, “I’m delighted to address this wonderful gathering where we honor and recognize one of our most important stakeholders, HNB. The trust and collaboration between our institutions is what sets this partnership apart from others. As custodians of this relationship, I am confident that our combined efforts will ensure we deliver top-tier insurance solutions to our customers, meeting their needs with the highest standards of service and trust. I’d also like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the award winners and thank the members of the management of HNB for their continued support. Further, as our companies, HNB, HNBA and HNBGI, embrace leadership transformations, I’d like to thank Mr. Jonathan Alles former MD of HNB and our very own former Chairperson Mrs. Rose Cooray for their contributions as well.”

The Global Banking and Finance Review, UK, for the fourth consecutive year, honored HNBA as the Best Life Bancassurance Provider, while HNBGI was awarded the Best General Bancassurance Provider for the second consecutive year reflecting the success both HNBA and HNGI has maintained with HNB over the years.

HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) and HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI) are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Stuart Chapman as the new Chairman, succeeding Mrs. Rose Cooray. With an exemplary career spanning four decades in multinational and local companies across diverse industries and particularly Insurance, Mr. Chapman brings a wealth of expertise to the organization.

Mr. Chapman holds an MBA from the University of Colombo, a Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM-UK), a Diploma in Life Insurance Sales and Marketing from the Life Underwriters Training Council (USA) and a Diploma in Business Management from the National Institute of Business Management (NIBM). His professional affiliations include being a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK) and the Institute of Management (UK) as well as a Member of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants (Australia).

In addition to 16 years in insurance, Mr. Chapman has also held leadership positions in industries such as Healthcare, FMCG, Consumer Durables, Banking and Telecommunications. He has previously served as the Managing Director of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Pharmaceuticals, Director Life at Ceylinco Insurance, Managing Director LOLC, Director/CEO of Janashakthi Insurance, Marketing Director Reckitt Benckiser, and Senior Brand Manager Unilever, among other significant roles.

Expressing his thoughts of his new role, Mr. Chapman stated, "I am honored to assume the position of Chairman at HNBA and HNBGI. Our companies have established a great foundation and a remarkable growth trajectory over the past couple of years. My goal is to support and enhance this growth while gearing the company to take full advantage of upcoming regulations and technological advancements that will shape the companies’ momentum in the years to come. With the incredible talent we possess and the unstinted support from HNB, I am confident that we have what it takes to deliver exceptional business results. Understanding Customers better, providing innovative and differentiated Customer solutions and enhancing shareholder value will be at the core of everything we do’. 

Mr. Chapman currently serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Hemas Pharmaceuticals (Pvt) Limited and United Motors Lanka PLC. He has also been a vital part of industry associations, having held roles such as the Honorary President and Founder Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing Sri Lanka, President of the Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry and Co-Chairman of the Pharmaceutical & Cosmetics Steering Committee of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.