Aban Pestonjee, Chairperson and founder of Abans Group of Companies, was bestowed the honour of being one of the most admired leaders of Sri Lanka at the recently concluded Most Admired Companies Awards held at the Lotus Ballroom, BMICH – Colombo.
The third edition of this event was organized by the International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICCSL), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). The Most Admired Companies Awards cater especially to companies that are a cut above the rest, based on their financial performance and other vital aspects such as creating an ethical and sustainable working environment for all employees, customers, investors and the local communities.
This prestigious accolade was accepted by Rusi Pestonjee on behalf of Aban Pestonjee at the ceremony graced by Chief Guest, General Shavendra Silva, WWV, RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, ndc, psc, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and Chief of Defence Staff.
These laurels were conferred in light of Pestonjee’s inspiring entrepreneurial journey from commencing her business as a modest corner store at Galle Road, Bambalapitiya in 1968, to the massive expansion into a renowned conglomerate spanning several industry sectors.
Sparking from the fierce desire to make easier the daily lives of homemakers such as herself, Pestonjee set forth upon her goal by purchasing home appliances at auctions and then reselling them with a trusted guarantee, which emerged as the core of her business.
When Sri Lanka converted into an open economy in 1978, Pestonjee began writing regularly to large British companies that distributed popular global home and kitchen appliance brands.
Amongst the repertoire of accolades received by Pestonjee are the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award by the Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce “Unstoppable – The Future Belongs to Her” Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 Awards, the Gold Award in the Extra Large Business Enterprise Category, Sri Lanka’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the Derana Sri Lankan of the Year Awards 2017, Leading Woman Entrepreneur of the World Award presented by the Princess of Thailand in 2006, the Global Strategy Leadership Award at the World Strategy Summit and the Award of Excellence for Woman Achievers for Outstanding Achievement from the SAARC Women’s Association in 2000.
