Akash Hettiarachchi laurelled PQHRM HR Professional of the Year

Akash Hettiarachchi, Manager Human Resource and Administration at MAS Intimates Slimline Division, was laurelled with the IPM’s esteemed PQHRM HR Professional of the Year award at the recently concluded National HR Conference 2013. The National HR Conference is an annu a l event organized by the Institute of Pe r s o n n e l Management ( IPM) which provides a platform for both sharing o f innovative human resource management ( HRM) ideas amongst the local HR fraternity, and recognizing excellence in HRM at a national level.

The awards are presented under several categories in recognition of the different aspects of the contributions made by the Sri Lankan HR professionals.

At this year’s National HR Conference, which was held at the Waters’ Edge on 18 – 19 June, several outstanding HR professionals were laurelled for their exceptional contribution towards people management in their respective organizations. And the much honoured decoration, the PQHRM HR Professional of the Year, went to Akash in acknowledgment of his contribution as a HR professional.

The PQHRM HR Professional of the Year is a special category award presented each year to an individual who exemplifies excellence in the field of HR through a combination of academic and professional achievements. IPM’s students who a r e PQHRM ( Professional Qualification in Human Resource Management) qualified and have set excellent standards within the HRM fraternity as a HRM professional who has contributed towards his or her organisation by creating value through human resources, are considered for this award.

Akash Hettiarachchi being an exceptional HR professional who has proven so through the dynamic role he plays as a Human Resource Manager at MAS Intimates, his contribution towards the HR field, and through his academic accomplishments.

Akash’s initial career interests were finance related which made him pursue a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Accountancy.

With the realization of his true passion and gift in people management Akash switched his career focus seven years ago from numbers to people.

Akash joined the MAS Group in 2007 and worked in several MAS Intimates facilities.

His contribution to the organisation has covered all aspects of human resource management; creating innovative and sustainable growth, and playing the role of a strategic business partner to improve the business growth.

Akash asserts that “the success of every organization depends on its HR value proposition and the people centric culture where you support employees to grow with the business.”

Essentially it is his passion for creating value through HR to enhance the skill and knowledge levels of all categories of employees, whilst contributing to organizational development, that has led to his career progression as well as the recognition he has gained in the industry.

Akash holds an MBA from Cardiff Metropolitan University (UK), and the PQHRM from IPM.