Unilever Sri Lanka has announced the appointment of Ali Tariq as its new Chairman and CEO, effective from February 1, 2024. With this appointment, Ali Tariq will also join Unilever’s South Asia leadership team. Ali Tariq previously served as the CFO for Global Transformations at Unilever’s Headquarters in London.
Having joined the Unilever Group in 2003, Ali has held various global and country leadership roles across Europe, South Asia, and the Far East. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW) and underwent training with PwC London.
Expressing his delight on the new role, Ali Tariq said, “I am delighted and humbled with the opportunity to serve our consumers, employees, business partners, and communities in Sri Lanka and to contribute to the country’s growth. My predecessor, Hajar Alafifi, leaves behind a strong business, and I, along with the country leadership, remain committed to leveraging our strong portfolio of purpose-led brands to win with a winning Sri Lanka.”
Ali Tariq takes over from the outgoing Chairperson and Managing Director, Hajar Alafifi, as she moves to her new assignment in Jakarta as General Manager for Unilever’s Nutrition Business in South East Asia and Indonesia. Hajar Alafifi steered the company through a highly challenging business environment over the last four years.
Reflecting on her time in Sri Lanka, Hajar Alafifi expressed gratitude and optimism for the country’s resilience. “With my 23 plus years of working in different markets across the world, Sri Lanka stands out as one of the most resilient, and I hold a positive outlook for the economy and investors,” she said. “I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to Sri Lanka for hosting me during my tenure. The warmth, positivity, and hospitality extended to me have been truly exceptional, and I will forever cherish the incredible humanness displayed by the people of Sri Lanka. The enriching experiences and meaningful connections forged during my time here have left an indelible mark on both my professional and personal journey.”