John Keells Group celebrates 10th cohort milestone of MDP

The John Keells Group recently marked a significant milestone with the successful completion of the 10th cohort of its flagship Management Development Programme (MDP). The Certificate Awarding Ceremony was held on 18 June 2026 at Cinnamon Grand, Colombo.

The event brought together senior management of the Group, programme faculty, and alumni, and recognised 36 managers who successfully completed the programme. This milestone not only celebrated the achievements of the graduating cohort but also reaffirmed the Group’s sustained commitment to developing future-ready leadership talent across its diverse business sectors.

Launched in 2011 in collaboration with the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM), the MDP has played a pivotal role in strengthening the Group’s leadership pipeline.

To date, the programme has developed nearly 300 mid-level managers, equipping them with the capabilities required to navigate complexity, lead teams effectively, and contribute meaningfully to organisational performance in an increasingly competitive and fast-changing business environment.

The eight-month programme is designed to blend academic rigour with practical, experience-driven learning. Participants follow a comprehensive curriculum covering core management areas such as strategy, finance, marketing, and leadership, complemented by panel discussions with senior leaders who share insights from their professional journeys.

A key highlight of the programme is its action-oriented business projects, where participants apply their learning to real-world organisational challenges, strengthening both analytical capability and execution discipline.

Isuru Gunasekera, Chief People Officer of the John Keells Group, stated that the MDP continues to evolve alongside the changing business landscape. He noted that the programme equips managers with strategic capabilities to drive performance and create long-term value, adding that its alumni, many of whom now hold senior roles across the Group, reflect its strong impact on leadership development and organisational excellence.

As the programme marks its 10th cohort, the MDP remains a cornerstone of the Group’s talent development strategy, fostering a strong pipeline of capable and forward-thinking leaders positioned to drive sustained growth and success.