“To be a Great Manager, you must lead with empathy, authenticity and transparency - these are values that all Fairfirstians live by” - stated Sandeep, Fairfirst’s CEO, As The Company Celebrates Being Recognised With Great Managers for the 4th Consecutive Year

According to Gallup, management talent exists in every company. It's often hiding in plain sight. Demonstrating the truth of this assertion, Fairfirst, a company committed to excellence, has been honoured with the 'Company with Great Managers' award for 2023. This marks the fourth consecutive year that Fairfirst has received this recognition from the Colombo Leadership Academy. The award ceremony saw six outstanding leaders from Fairfirst being felicitated with the prestigious 'Great Managers Award' for their exceptional contributions in various categories, including: Aligning organisational vision, coaching others for growth, leadership integrality & holistic approach, aligning organisational vision, and coaching others for growth.

Fairfirst believes in promoting a progressive work culture that enables individuals to reach their full potential through continuous investment in human capital development. This empowers talented individuals, nurturing them into future business leaders while emphasising TheFairfirstWay of pursuing professional excellence. Across various dimensions of business success, the manager's role is pivotal, influencing diversity, productivity, and retention. Gallup's analysis reveals that managers account for 70% of the variance in team engagement, highlighting their significant impact on employee morale and performance.

The ‘Company with Great Managers’ and ‘The Great Managers Awards’ are initiatives taken towards identifying, assessing, and recognising organisations with ‘Great Managers’ benchmarking with the best of the best in the corporate world. The awards, through a set of stringent leadership competency evaluations, strive to define and build an eco-system and culture that nurtures great managers in Sri Lanka.

Commenting on this recognition, Sandeep Gopal, CEO of Fairfirst Insurance, states, “Being honoured for the fourth consecutive year, this award holds deep meaning for us, reflecting our commitment to fostering a culture of growth and empowerment. It represents our unwavering pursuit of excellence, empowering every team member to reach their full potential. Through our core values of empathy, authenticity, transparency, and social responsibility, we empower our colleagues to be agents of change, advancing our shared vision. I extend my best wishes to them as they embark on their leadership journey.”

Head of Human Resources, Rasika Perera, added, ‘This accolade is a testament to our unwavering commitment to fairness and innovation, underscoring our ethos of progress and inclusivity. This moment of celebration highlights their inspiration and support for the people they lead to reach their full potential, fostering a culture of collaboration and growth that benefits everyone involved.

Fairfirst Insurance Limited is part of the global Fairfax Group. The Group is a leading property and casualty insurer, reinsurer, and investment manager headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Fairfirst is today among the top general insurance companies in Sri Lanka, serving individuals, businesses, and institutions across this beautiful island through a versatile workforce spread across a comprehensive branch network and affinity partners and brokers in Sri Lanka.

 Picture Caption: Fairfirst Great Managers 2023

In a remarkable testament to local ingenuity with a global impact, Fairfirst Insurance proudly announces its international recognition for the outstanding work accomplished in the categories of Best Travel Insurance and Most Trusted Insurance Provider at the Global Brand Awards 2023. As CEO of Fairfirst, Sandeep Gopal, expresses, “Although we are locally rooted, our achievements have reverberated far beyond local boundaries, resonating on the international stage. These awards are a recognition of the resilience and innovativeness of not only Fairfirst but of the entire country as well.”

Securing a place shoulder to shoulder with some of the most formidable entities in the global insurance sector, including State Farm, AIG Life, Munich Re and other non-insurance global powerhouses, including Samsung, Apple, Louis Vuitton, Amazon and many more, affirms the CEO’s statement that Fairfirst positions itself not only as a leader within the local industry but also as a formidable player on the broader global stage.

Creating a universal language of trust and excellence and being recognized among global giants is not merely an accolade; it is the embodiment of a universal language that speaks to consumers worldwide. Sandeep emphasises, "This recognition is a result of the dedication of all Fairfirstians. We are not just competing; we are setting a global standard. We are passionate about building a business that is fair and future ready.”

In the pursuit of financial security and peace of mind, Fairfirst plays a pivotal role, whereby they proudly undertook the co-sponsorship of the Dog Festival hosted at Viharamahadevi Park.

Regardless of our vigilance and responsibility, our pets can unexpectedly find themselves in precarious situations. This is where Fairfirst steps in to safeguard pet parents against unforeseen veterinary expenses and ensure the well-being of their pets. At the event, Fairfirst extended its support to pet parents by offering a one-month complimentary Pet Insurance Cover upon online registration. Additionally, those who purchased an annual Pet Insurance Cover on the spot received a free Personal Accident Cover.

As a leading insurer, Fairfirst gives much prominence to the well-being of others in the same society and in this light the company is also the Official Insurance Partner of the Sri Lanka Police K9 unit. A total of 274 highly trained and specialized canines have been granted a comprehensive Pet Insurance coverage for an entire year. This coverage aids in meeting veterinary and related expenses that may arise in their work of bravery.

Fairfirst is a leading insurance company that is part of the Canadian-based Fairfax Group. Apart from serving individuals, businesses and institutions across this beautiful island, the company has a keen focus and commitment towards the community. Fairfirst believes that business is a force to do good. With good business comes good profits; and with good profits, the chance to give back to the community is twice fold.

Picture Caption: Fairfirst Insurance – Co-sponsors at the Dog Festival held at Viharamahadevi Park

Team Fairfirst showcased their extracurricular excellence by securing the championship title at the 2023 Mercantile League Netball Tournament Open Mix Category for the second consecutive year. The thrilling final, held at the indoor courts of New Saniro Airport Sports Complex Hotel in Gampaha, saw Team Fairfirst triumph over Team Seylan Bank with a final score of 18-12.

Over the years, the entity was able to secure several titles in annual netball tournaments, through which they developed their skills to achieve the title of champions this year. Both teams; the women’s and mixed, portrayed their noteworthy talents by giving their maximum effort. The mixed team emerged as champions among eight teams competing in two groups. In addition, Nimesh Fernando won the special award Best Male Player of The Tournament. This accomplishment was enabled by the combined efforts and dedication of the management and employees alike.

Dilshani Samarasinghe, the Captain of Fairfirst's mixed netball team, attributed their success to two key factors: the unwavering dedication of her team and coach, and the steadfast support provided by the company to its employees in their sporting endeavours. She expressed her team’s commitment to maintaining this momentum and elevating the Fairfirst name as a prominent company nationwide.

The Netball Team Manager, Pruthivi Perera, congratulated the team on their outstanding performance and highlighted the journey they had undertaken to achieve this remarkable feat. Fairfirst recognizes the importance of having fun at work to enhance overall performance, encouraging employees to excel in their chosen activities.

Fairfirst Insurance serves individuals, businesses, and institutions across this beautiful island through a versatile workforce of more than 900 spread across their comprehensive branch network, affinity partners and leading brokers in the market. Working as a close-knit team, pushing boundaries, and embracing a fun-at-work culture enables them to be the best at what they do, both on and off the field.

Picture: Fairfirst wins the Championship at 2023 Mercantile League Netball Tournament Open Mix Division for the second consecutive time.

Fairfirst Health Insurance is now conveniently accessible through Flash, the comprehensive digital banking account provided by Commercial Bank. This groundbreaking offering allows for the direct availability of health insurance through a banking app, specifically tailored to meet the needs of banking customers. By seamlessly integrating banking and insurance, users can experience a seamless and efficient process in obtaining health coverage. By leveraging digital technology, Fairfirst and ComBank Flash are committed to enhancing customer experiences and simplifying the insurance journey.

Fairfirst Insurance, as the exclusive insurance partner for the Flash platform, offers Flash users an exceptional daily hospital cash cover for both individuals and family. Flash users can choose from three attractive health plans: LKR 30,000/-, LKR 60,000/-, and LKR 90,000/- annually. The user-friendly interface provided by Flash enables users to effortlessly secure the hospitalisation coverage they need with just a few clicks.

One of the most appealing aspects of this health insurance feature is its affordability. For an extremely low premium of LKR 720/- per annum (including taxes), individuals can enjoy hassle-free health insurance at their convenience. This highly competitive price not only makes health insurance accessible but also empowers individuals to effectively manage their coverage, effortlessly fitting it into their budgets.

This collaborative effort between Fairfirst and Commercial Bank underscores their shared commitment to prioritizing empathetic approaches that empower individuals in their pursuit of progress.

With a passion for making complex insurance solutions simple and accessible, Fairfirst is a leading insurance company that is part of the Canadian-based Fairfax Group. Serving individuals, businesses, and institutions, the company offers its out-of-the-box solutions via its team of 1,000+ professionals who work across a service centre network comprising 50+ branches. Putting global concepts, innovation, fun, and excitement back into the insurance industry, Fairfirst is fast becoming an industry leader that people turn to and trust.

Commercial Bank is Sri Lanka’s first 100% carbon neutral bank, the first Sri Lankan bank to be listed among the Top 1000 Banks of the World and the only Sri Lankan bank to be so listed for 12 years consecutively, Commercial Bank operates a network of 271 branches and 950 automated machines in Sri Lanka. Commercial Bank is the largest lender to Sri Lanka’s SME sector and is a leader in digital innovation in the country’s Banking sector. The Bank’s overseas operations encompass Bangladesh, where the Bank operates 20 outlets; Myanmar, where it has a Microfinance company in Nay Pyi Taw; and the Maldives, where the Bank has a fully-fledged Tier I Bank with a majority stake.

The 30th Singer-Mercantile Cricket Association Super Premier League 2023 witnessed the remarkable entry of Fairfirst Insurance into the league tournament. With an impressive performance throughout the tournament, Fairfirst Insurance emerged as a formidable contender, securing seven victories, and suffering just one defeat.

The tournament, featuring eight prominent teams, showcased some thrilling cricket matches, captivating fans with exceptional displays of skill and sportsmanship. The participating teams included Hayleys Group, BBK Partnership, John Keells Group, Hatton National Bank, Citizen Development Bank, Mode Engineering, CL Synergy Limited, and the dynamic team of Fairfirst Insurance.

Under the leadership of Captain Moditha Ranatunga, Fairfirst Insurance exhibited a commendable level of dedication and teamwork. The team's Manager and Chief Sales Officer at Fairfirst, Sanjay Siriwardena, ensured seamless coordination and provided unwavering support to the players. The expertise of Coach Ramachandran Sridhar further honed the team's skills and strategies, contributing to their success in the tournament.

The spotlight shone brightly on Fairfirst Insurance's standout performers in the tournament. Anuk Fernando emerged as the leading runs scorer for Fairfirst Insurance, amassing an impressive total of 302 runs. His consistent performance with the bat played a vital role in the team's success. Meanwhile, Thanuka Dabare showcased his bowling prowess, emerging as the leading wicket taker in the tournament, with a remarkable tally of 18 wickets. Notably, Asel Sigera proved to be a valuable asset to the team as well, securing the second-highest number of wickets in the tournament, with a notable total of 15 wickets.

Fairfirst Insurance continues to support and promote sportsmanship and excellence in cricket, reflecting their commitment to fostering a culture of teamwork and success. With their impressive debut in the league tournament, Fairfirst Insurance has established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the realm of corporate cricket.

Fairfirst Insurance serves individuals, businesses, and institutions across this beautiful island through a versatile workforce of 800 spread across their comprehensive branch network, affinity partners and leading brokers in the market. Working as a close-knit team, pushing boundaries, and embracing a fun-at-work culture enables them to be the best at what they do, both on and off the field.

Image caption: Fairfirst Insurance Cricket Team Makes a Memorable Debut in the 30th Singer-Mercantile Cricket Association Super Premier League 2023

In recognition of a culture that is constantly striving to be the Best, Fairfirst Insurance was awarded the ‘Company with Great Managers’ 2022 for the third consecutive year by the Colombo Leadership Academy where four bright leaders of Fairfirst were felicitated with the prestigious ‘Great Managers Award’ for the year 2022.

Fairfirst believes in promoting a progressive work culture that makes it possible for people to achieve their true potential. This is done through continuous investment in human capital development to support and empower talented individuals and convert them into business leaders of tomorrow, in turn emphasizing TheFairfirstWay of pursuing professional excellence.

The ‘Company with Great Managers’ and ‘The Great Managers Awards’ is an initiative taken towards identifying, assessing and recognising organisations with ‘Great Managers’ benchmarking with the best of best in the corporate world. The awards, through a set of stringent leadership competency evaluations, strives to define and build an eco-system and culture that nurtures great managers in Sri Lanka.

Commenting on this recognition, Sandeep Gopal - CEO of Fairfirst Insurance states, “This award is special for us as it demonstrates our passion in developing a culture which is nurturing and allows every amazing employee of ours to achieve true potential. This fast-tracks the journey and the progression of our colleagues in becoming the leaders of change who will forge ahead with the values of Empathy, Authenticity, Transparency and Social Responsibility. This is a true reflection of our Fairfirst culture that is ‘Driven by Fairness.”

Head of Human Resources, Rasika Perera added, ‘We are extremely proud of this recognition. This award is a true testament to the employee engagement platform we have built where our colleagues are given the opportunity to be the best at what they do whilst they continue to be inspired in their own unique ways. Instilling a progressive culture is what has made us a ‘Company with Great Managers’.”

Fairfirst Insurance Limited is part of the global Fairfax Group. The Group is a leading property and casualty insurer, reinsurer and investment manager headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Fairfirst is today among the top general insurance companies of Sri Lanka and is recognised as the only Sri Lankan company amongst the 2020 Top insurance global giants in Asia-Pacific. Fairfirst serves individuals, businesses and institutions across this beautiful island through a versatile workforce spread across the comprehensive branch network, affinity partners and brokers in Sri Lanka.

Picture Caption: Fairfirst Great Managers 2022

Upeka Bolonghe - Territory Manager, Shanmugam Kamalharan - Sales Manager and Hasith Kiriella - Assistant Sales Manager of Fairfirst Insurance, each clinched a Bronze award under their respective titles in the General Insurance Category at the 2021/2022 National Sales Awards (NASCO) organized by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM).

Taking home 3 bronze wins in the General Insurance category, Fairfirst showcased three of their brightest performers, who are both imminent leaders and key drivers of business for Fairfirst.

Enthusiastic Upeka spoke about her win, “It was a great privilege and honour to have represented Fairfirst at the SLIM NASCO Awards 2021. This award isn't just a personal milestone for me but a win for all of us at Fairfirst. Many thanks to my superiors who saw the potential in me and always guided and mentored me in addition to everyone else who supported me along the way.”

Shanmugam with much excitement stated, ‘Thank you Fairfirst in pushing me to be the best at what I am and thank you SLIM for honouring me with this recognition. This recognition has motivated me to keep pushing myself to strive for future possibilties that lie ahead."

Hasitha commented on his exciting recognition, “Thank you Fairfirst for being instrumental in creating an environment that fosters growth and empowers employees to strive for excellence and SLIM for giving me this opportunity of recognition. Achieving this award has given me the confidence to keep trying towards even more remarkable successes.”

Expressing his satisfaction at the outcome, Chief of Sales at Fairfirst, Sanjay Siriwardena commented, “Hearty congratulations to the winners. At Fairfirst, our scope lies in grooming, promoting, and celebrating leadership goals and the success of each individual has proved that they can achieve extraordinary things both at a corporate and personal level. Upeka, Shanmugam and Hasitha are testament to all things believed in making Fairfirst the company it is today. We are thrilled to have them as active members of our team.”

Organised by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), the SLIM National Sales Awards 2022 (formerly known as the SLIM NASCO) is the most anticipated event for sales representatives. This prestigious event has been held for 20 consecutive years and was created to reward high performing sales individuals in companies for their great effort and achievements in the sales fraternity and recognize them at a national level. With the theme of "You make the difference," the award honours sales professionals who have faced many a daunting challenge and triumphed amidst challenging conditions.

Fairfirst Insurance Limited is part of the global Fairfax Group. The Group is a leading property and casualty insurer, reinsurer and investment manager, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Fairfirst serves individuals, businesses and institutions across this beautiful island through a versatile workforce spread across the comprehensive branch network, affinity partners and brokers in Sri Lanka.

For years Fairfirst has taken a prime standpoint in educating and building awareness among the community. Despite having no direct link to business, Fairfirst ‘s initiative is all about investing in the future wellbeing and safety of the nation.

As such, continuing their programme on Road Safety Awareness alongside with the Sri Lanka Traffic Police, hands-on training sessions were carried out including live demonstrations at the Weligama Siddhartha College to 500 kids across 12 schools on ways to regulate traffic near schools. As part of these sessions, a tailor-made training programme for School Traffic Wardens was also conducted to encourage and groom those interested to take on the role. To appraise the efforts and as a monitoring mechanism, 60 participating students were issued a certificate by the Sri Lanka Traffic Police where they were endorsed as certifed Traffic Wardens.

Subsequently and as the first programme of the year, a public road safety awareness programme was conducted to the Staff and owners of two-wheel and three-wheelers at the Karandeniya Divisional Secretariat. Participants were addressed on the importance of making smart decisions when driving.

Supun Kotuwegoda, Senior Manager – Marketing & Digital Solutions stated, “We are strong believers of Doing Well by Doing Good. Being a responsible and empathetic corporate citizen, we believe our CSR agenda will reinstate the importance of maintaining good road behaviour that will help change a risky driving culture to one that’s a lot safer. And to make this a possibility, we are proud to be working closely with the Sri Lanka Traffic Police from the very inception of this much needed cause.”

These Road Safety Awareness Programmes are ongoing series of educational drives that will be conducted throughout the year to help curb negligent road behaviour and build a safer nation. What was first carried out in Colombo is now facilitated in 22 of the 25 districts all over Sri Lanka where Fairfirst has reached over 170,000 school kids in more than 2,400 schools whilst empowering and grooming more than 37,000 traffic wardens.

Fairfirst is a leading insurance company that is part of the Canadian-based Fairfax Group. Apart from serving individuals, businesses and institutions across this beautiful island, the company has a keen focus and commitment towards the community. Fairfirst believes that business is a force to do good. With good business comes good profits, and with good profits the chance to give back to the community is twice-fold.

Fairfirst Insurance, dedicated to being a passionate advocate of Sri Lanka’s sporting fraternity and a big believer in having fun at work, has constantly excelled at various mercantile sports tournaments throughout 2022. Fairfirst’s empathetic and authentic culture has helped groom an unwavering sporting culture that has fueled and recognised its employee’s sportsmanship, thus creating a win-win mentality both on and off the field.

The Fairfirst sporting drive was initiated as a wellness platform to create a best-in-class work-life balance that facilitates employees to achieve their best in their personal as well as corporate lives. Fostering a ‘Work hard, Play harder’ culture, the employees are encouraged to focus on their profession and have time for themselves by engaging in activities that nurture young talent and motivate them to excel in all spheres.

Most recently, Fairfirst employees have established themselves as champions in many notable Sri Lankan mercantile tournaments. Their recent 2022 championships at the Mercantile Cricket, Rugby, Football and Netball tournaments are a testament to the talents and dedication of Fairfirst employees to be the best at whatever they do.

Commenting on these achievements, Fairfirst’s Chief Executive Officer, Sandeep Gopal shared, “We believe that our employees should bring their whole self to work and we encourage them to pursue all opportunities for their progression whether it is their job or sports. Sports is a great way to bring people together and during these tough times we need sports to help bring us closer to the communities we serve.”

Fairfirst Insurance Limited is part of the global Fairfax Group. The Group is a leading property and casualty insurer, reinsurer and investment manager, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Fairfirst serves individuals, businesses and institutions across this beautiful island through a versatile workforce spread across the comprehensive branch network, affinity partners and brokers in Sri Lanka.

Picture Caption: 2022 Fairfirst MCA Championships