Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC (CTC) today announced the appointment of Sarmad Abbasi as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective from 1^st  May 2026.

Mr. Sarmad Abbasi takes on the role from Ms. Fariyha Subhani who served as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since April 2024, continuing the company’s legacy of world-class leadership and strategic excellence.

A seasoned veteran within the British American Tobacco (BAT) Group, Mr. Abbasi brings over 15 years of cross-functional experience spanning General Management, Strategic Marketing, and Category Transformation. Most recently, he served as General Manager for BAT in Iraq, where he successfully steered the business through complex geopolitical landscapes, delivering exceptional results.

The continued delivery of outstanding results by Mr. Abbasi’s throughout his career is testament to his exceptional leadership, drive and commitment. During his tenure with BAT, Sarmad has served as Regional Manager in Pakistan and later as Head of Brands, spearheading business transformation agendas and distributor consolidations.

Beyond driving bottom-line results, Sarmad is recognised for his visionary approach to people leadership. Under his guidance, regional business units have evolved into strategic talent source hubs, reflecting his ability to build high-performance teams that thrive on a global scale.

Commenting on his impending appointment, Sarmad stated, “I am excited to lead the already exceptional Sri Lankan team to achieve greater heights and also to learn from the local experiences to be shared with the wider BAT world. The journey ahead will be built on our existing strong foundations of sustainability and excellence and most importantly our incredible people.”

Sarmad holds an MBA from the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and a degree in Computer Science, blending analytical rigor with creative brand strategy.