CISI CEO Simon Culhane, Chartered FCSI

The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment, the leading global professional body for securities, investment, wealth and financial planning professionals with UK headquarters, has relocated to its new office premises in Sri Lanka at 345, R.A De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 03.

The Sri Lanka office functions as the Institute’s international operations centre, providing support to all CISI’s international operations. CISI Sri Lanka is a fully functioning representative office of CISI UK and is comprised of all corresponding business functions including Business Development, HR, Customer Support, Learning and Development, Marketing, Finance and IT departments.

Chairman Sir Alan Yarrow Chartered FCSI said: “Our Colombo team is composed of both highly skilled and highly valued staff. They are a great example of Sri Lanka’s well educated, adaptable workforce and this has helped the successful integration of our London based operating units. We have been able to find sophisticated technical skills resulting in a workforce of extremely skilled professionals delivering professional qualifications.”

The CISI Sri Lankan office predominantly deals with operations for APAC and the Middle East with the call centre servicing members and students throughout the region.

Crystal Martil, Operations Manager and the first ever CISI Sri Lankan staff member said: “When the Institute began its operations in Sri Lanka in 2011, we had only five staff members. Today we have 36 employees and we outgrew our current premises which is why we had to move.

“Almost all UK departments have some of their staff located in Sri Lanka and our increasing links and visits between offices enable us to understand cultures and people, which contributes to our continuous transformation from a London based professional body to a global organisation.”

Chief Executive Simon Culhane Chartered FCSI said today: “Sri Lanka should not be seen as a repository for cheap unskilled labour; it is a hidden gem with high quality, highly talented and highly valued people.”

The Chief Guest, Minister Eran Wickramaratne said: “The development of human capital is one of this government’s strategic goals, so I am particularly delighted to be here at CISI and witness what can be achieved. The CISI has tapped into just a fraction of our highly skilled talent pool, we have much more to offer.”