Creating a Better Business Towards Success.

Upul Dassanayake is an accomplished International Consultant and Strategist with over 20 years of corporate experience in the financial, education, FMCG, and ICT sectors. He holds a Management Graduate degree from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, and a Master's Degree in Information Technology from Keele University, UK. Additionally, he is a Licentiate Chartered Accountant.

Currently serving as a National Consultant at the International Trade Centre, United Nations, Upul Dassanayake provides expert guidance and strategic advice to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on commencing their export journey and enhancing their trade competitiveness.

Furthermore, Upul is a Senior Consultant, Coach, and Trainer at E&M Export Management, a global consultancy firm based in the Netherlands, specializing in assisting export-oriented companies. He offers export strategy consulting services, including international business planning, foreign trade and export strategy development, and export capacity development training and coaching for SMEs and large-scale enterprises venturing into new foreign markets.

Previously, Upul Dassanayake served as the Chairman of INFOTEL 2017, the largest ICT exposition in Sri Lanka, where he achieved significant milestones during his tenure. He also held the position of President of the education and training chapter at the Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS), spearheading numerous impactful ICT projects. He has represented Sri Lanka at various international forums and actively participates in the Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organization (ASOCIO), an ICT federation comprising associations from 24 countries in the Asia Pacific region.

Upul has conducted workshops and seminars organized by esteemed national and international organizations such as the International Trade Centre - United Nations, E&M Export Management Ltd. (Netherlands), USAID, GIZ, Oxfam, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Development Board, and Export Development Board. These engagements covered various topics related to international trade and export development.

Notably, Upul Dassanayake has successfully transformed numerous SMEs by introducing his unique "SME Transformation and Market Access framework/model," enabling them to embark on their export journey with confidence and success.

With his extensive expertise and background in international trade, corporate strategy, coaching, and training, Upul Dassanayake continues to make significant contributions to the field, supporting businesses in their pursuit of export growth and market expansion.

Tom Albrigtsen stands as a seasoned CEO, business owner, and senior consultant with a distinguished reputation in the field of SME business development, company restructuring, and rehabilitation. Armed with an MBA in International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management and a Master of Business and Economics from BI Norwegian Business School, Tom's educational background is formidable, reflecting his commitment to excellence.

Throughout his illustrious career, Tom has demonstrated unparalleled expertise in guiding both SMEs and large-scale enterprises through transformative phases. His unique model for business development, restructuring, and rehabilitation has earned him the status of a trusted advisor in the industry. With a focus on tangible results, Tom has engaged in numerous restructuring and rehabilitation assignments across various countries. Fair Deal AS is an example of a business who went from garment trading into a group of companies in new industries. Vetserve AS, a software company, became so successful that a venture capital firm acquired the company. The deal was negotiated and closed for the owners of Vetserve by Tom.

Tom's commitment lies in shepherding businesses from conception to fruition, showcasing his proficiency in navigating challenges at every stage. His expertise extends to Financial Restructuring, Operational Restructuring, Organizational Restructuring, Strategic Restructuring, Legal and Regulatory Compliance, Communication and Stakeholder Management, and Business Negotiations.

Notably, Tom served as the Project Director of The Business Matchmaking program, a pioneering initiative fostering collaborations between Norwegian businesses and counterparts in South Africa, India, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. Under his leadership, the program facilitated over 500 Norwegian companies' visits to Sri Lanka, resulting in more than 150 successful business collaborations between Norwegian and Sri Lankan enterprises. It is estimated 7500 jobs were created.

In addition to his international endeavors, Tom spearheaded a business development program targeting the SME sector in Norway, financed by Innovation Norway. This program played a crucial role in equipping top management with the tools and insights necessary to assess their business landscapes, formulate robust strategies, and drive growth both domestically and in new markets. In addition to train CEOs, analyze the company, focus and restructure, the companies had implementation support for 15 months. 90% of the companies in the program achieved their goals of improved profitability.

Tom's extensive engagement with Sri Lankan projects and companies positions him as an expert with an in-depth understanding of the Sri Lankan business context. His hands-on experience in managing restructuring and rehabilitation assignments, coupled with his ability to navigate diverse cultural and business landscapes, makes him an ideal consultant for any Restructuring and Rehabilitation assignment.

It is evident that his strategic acumen, international experience, and commitment to delivering tangible results make him a valuable asset for any organization seeking guidance in business development, restructuring, and rehabilitation.