Nestlé Lanka Chairman/MD Bernie Stefan honoured at CEO of the Year Awards 2025 in recognition of his leadership and strategic vision, highlighting his role in strengthening the company’s presence and long-term impact in Sri Lanka.
Nestlé Lanka Chairman/MD Bernie Stefan honoured at CEO of the Year Awards 2025 for leadership excellence
Nestlé Lanka Chairman/MD Bernie Stefan honoured at CEO of the Year Awards 2025 in recognition of his leadership excellence and contributions to strengthening the company’s long-term growth and sustainability initiatives in Sri Lanka.
The award was presented at the CEO of the Year Awards 2025, organised by the Global CEO Forum, a national platform that celebrates outstanding leadership and promotes stronger engagement between the public and private sectors. The recognition highlights Bernie Stefan’s leadership approach, which combines long-term strategic thinking with a strong focus on people, sustainability, and responsible business practices.
Stefan, who currently serves as Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka, received the award from Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe at the ceremony, which brought together leading corporate figures, policymakers, and business leaders from across Sri Lanka.
The recognition reflects Stefan’s leadership journey and the role he has played in guiding the organisation through evolving market conditions while reinforcing the company’s long-standing commitment to improving the quality of life of consumers through food and nutrition.
Bernie Stefan brings more than 24 years of global experience within the Nestlé Group, having worked across several international markets before assuming leadership of the Sri Lankan operations. His career with the company began at Nestlé Waters in France, where he gained early experience in the multinational’s global operations and brand management.
Over the years, Stefan held several leadership roles across key European markets including the United Kingdom, Germany, and Switzerland, developing expertise in managing diverse teams and complex business environments. This extensive international exposure has shaped his leadership style, enabling him to bring a global perspective while adapting strategies to local market realities.
In 2023, Stefan assumed the role of leading Nestlé Lanka leadership, taking charge of the company’s operations at a time when Sri Lanka’s economic environment was undergoing significant transformation. Since then, he has worked closely with employees, partners, and stakeholders to strengthen the company’s operations and reinforce its commitment to delivering value to consumers.
Under his leadership, the company has continued to focus on product quality, innovation, and sustainability while expanding its role in supporting local communities and strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities.
Speaking after receiving the recognition, Stefan emphasised that the award reflects the collective effort of the entire organisation rather than individual achievement.
“This honour belongs to the entire Nestlé Lanka team,” he said. “Our progress is the result of collective effort – colleagues who show up every day with integrity, care and a shared commitment to delighting Sri Lankan consumers.”
The recognition also highlights the importance of strong leadership in navigating challenging business environments. Over the past several years, Sri Lanka’s corporate sector has had to adapt to economic volatility, supply chain disruptions, and changing consumer dynamics.
Within this context, the CEO of the Year Awards Sri Lanka platform has gained increasing significance as a forum that recognises leaders who demonstrate resilience, innovation, and responsible business practices.
For Nestlé Lanka, the recognition reflects the company’s broader mission of contributing to sustainable development while delivering nutritious and high-quality food products to consumers.
The company has a long history in Sri Lanka, having operated in the country for more than 120 years. Over that time, it has played an important role in supporting the country’s food and beverage sector while also contributing to employment, community development, and local supply chains.
A significant aspect of the company’s operations is its strong focus on local manufacturing. Today, more than 90 percent of Nestlé Lanka’s products are manufactured locally at its modern production facility in Kurunegala, which operates according to international safety and quality standards.
The facility produces a wide range of food and beverage products that are distributed across Sri Lanka, supporting local economic activity while ensuring consistent product availability for consumers.
Beyond its manufacturing footprint, the company has also emphasised initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability and community empowerment. These efforts align with Nestlé’s global purpose of “unlocking the power of food and beverages to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come.”
Through this approach, the company aims to create long-term value not only for consumers but also for farmers, suppliers, employees, and the broader communities in which it operates.
Industry observers note that strong leadership will continue to play a critical role in shaping the future of Sri Lanka’s corporate sector, particularly as companies seek to balance growth with sustainability and social responsibility.
As Nestlé Lanka Chairman/MD Bernie Stefan honoured at CEO of the Year Awards 2025, the recognition underscores the growing emphasis on leadership that prioritises resilience, collaboration, and long-term value creation within Sri Lanka’s evolving business landscape.
For Nestlé Lanka, the award serves both as recognition of past achievements and as encouragement to continue strengthening its role in supporting consumers, communities, and sustainable economic progress across the country.