Unilever Sri Lanka will have a new Chairman and CEO taking over, with Ali Tariq set to take on the role from February 1.
With this appointment, Tariq will also join Unilever’s South Asia leadership team. Prior to this, Tariq served as CFO for Global Transformations at Unilever’s headquarters in London. 
Tariq joined the group in 2003 and has since held 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 and Wales and trained with PwC London.

Commenting on his new appointment at Unilever Sri Lanka, 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.”
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. 
Alafifi steered the company through a highly challenging business environment over the last four years. 
“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. 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,” she said. 
Unilever has operated in Sri Lanka for the last 85 years and is one of the leading fast-moving consumer goods companies in the country. As a responsible corporate citizen, the business continues to play a key role in contributing to Sri Lanka’s sustainable future. 
Unilever Sri Lanka’s portfolio of 30 brands, such as Knorr, Sunlight, Signal, TRESemmé and Lifebuoy, are household favourites. They support local communities and enhance the lives of 22 million Sri Lankans every day.