Udara Kelum Dharmawanse Fernando

Lead strategic oversight of information technology operations to support long-term business objectives and the anticipated growth of Gill Capital Companies' renowned brands, including H&M, COS, and H&M Home. Direct recruitment and leadership of a high-performing IT executive team, focusing on aligning day-to-day operations with the organization's overarching vision. Establish and develop an internal development team to provide robust support for ERP, digitalization, and security.

Chief Information Officer / Head of IT | Hindo (S) Pte Ltd / Mthai (S) Pte Ltd, Singapore (Gill Capital Group) | 2012 – Present

Job Profile: Display strategic IT leadership for business growth to drive the long-term success of Gill Capital Companies' renowned brands, such as H&M, COS, and H&M Home. Recruit and lead a high-performing IT executive team, dedicated to aligning daily operations with the organization's overarching vision. Empowering internal development excellence by building an internal development team, equipping them to provide robust support for both brick-and-mortar and e-commerce business segments. Drive a comprehensive Group IT Management, overseeing Strategic Sourcing, Business Process Engineering, new company process and system creation, and the seamless implementation of Information Technology across multiple companies within the group.

• Driving Digital Transformation and E-commerce Advancement: Led the company's strategic shift from a brick-and-mortar mindset to a dynamic e-commerce-driven organization, spearheading innovative e-commerce initiatives.
• Trailblazing Technology Transformation: Spearheaded all facets of large-scale transformative initiatives, orchestrating the migration of legacy on-premises systems to efficient cloud and hybrid solutions.
• Enhancing Information Security and Resilience: Strengthened information security and cyber resilience by implementing comprehensive disaster recovery plans for both offline and online operations.
• Ensuring ISO Compliance Across the Board: Drove the organization towards ISO compliance across all entities, ensuring adherence to rigorous standards.
• Fostering an AI-Driven Data Culture: Pioneered a culture of AI-driven innovation and data focus within the company, successfully implementing Apptus AI in 2019.
• Optimizing User-Centric Support: Revamped the support desk, prioritizing a user-driven approach for enhanced customer satisfaction.
• End-to-End SAP Excellence Across Asia: Spearheaded and monitored all aspects of SAP RISE / S4 implementation across Asia, aligning solutions with overarching strategic objectives.
• Customized SAP Mastery for Business Success: Skillfully configured and customized SAP RISE components to address specific business process requirements while ensuring optimal system performance.
• E-commerce Expansion and Market Entry: Led a team responsible for establishing H&M's e-commerce presence in Thailand and Indonesia in 2019, including the successful launch of H&M Indonesia Marketplace with Zalora in 2020 and Shopee Thailand in 2022.
• Seamless Integration and Tech Advancements: Orchestrated the implementation of Magento and iOS and Android Apps for H&M E-commerce in Thailand and Indonesia in 2019, along with the integration with Scoop Whole Foods Brands in Singapore in 2020.
• Successful SAP Implementations for Renowned Brands: Implemented SAP S/4 financial and distribution systems for renowned brands Chicco, Children's Place, and Zippy Kids in Indonesia and Singapore in 2017.
• Global Expansion and Implementation Excellence: Executed a new country implementation of SAP ECC 6.0 for Cambodia and implemented SAP ECC 6.0 retail versions for Indonesia and Thailand in 2012 and 2013.
• Optimizing Warehouse Management for Efficiency: Oversaw the implementation of the SAP WMS system for H&M's Thailand and Indonesia warehouses in 2013, streamlining operations.
• End-to-End Fashion Industry Transformations: Administered end-to-end implementations for major brands across the fashion industry, from Point of Sale to full ERP implementation.
• CRM Enhancement for Business Units: Collaborated with business units to enhance CRM capabilities for Indonesia and Singapore, driving improved customer engagement and satisfaction.

Head of IT | Shopping Bag (S) Pte Ltd / Retail is Detail LLC, Singapore | Apr 2009 – Mar 2012

 Job Profile: Assembled and guided high-performing support and development teams for the Dubai-based company, fostering proficiency and collaboration. Leveraged SAP and Navision application systems to drive the development of robust infrastructure and security architecture. Delivered outstanding cost-saving results by skillfully renegotiating contracts with professional services companies, resulting in substantial budget savings.

• Revolutionary Retail Deployments: Executed the Dubai Mall Retail Implementation for renowned brands like Index Living Mall, Candylicious, Social House, Hershey's, IWGH, and Brunette. Leveraged SAP ECC 6.0, Navision, Torex, and LS Central to redefine retail excellence.
• Iconic Burj Khalifa Retail Initiative: Pioneered the Burj Khalifa Retail Implementation in 2010, utilizing Navision to set a new standard for retail innovation.
• Multi-Brand Retail Expansion: Spearheaded the seamless expansion of retail spaces at Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa through collaborative efforts with multiple brands.
• Vendor Collaboration and International Success: Collaborated effectively with vendors and internal support teams to implement Candylicious, Hershey's, and Garret in both Singapore and Malaysia in 2011, achieving international success.
• Strategic Cost Optimization: Delivered outstanding cost-saving results by skillfully renegotiating contracts with professional services companies, resulting in substantial budget savings.
• Comprehensive System Overhaul: Successfully implemented end-to-end systems, including LS retail F&B POS and Navision ERP, to revolutionize F&B concepts for social house Dubai, Brunetti Dubai, Brunetti Singapore, and Yantra Singapore.

• Master of Business Administration, Murdoch University, Singapore, 2022 
• B.Sc. in Computing and Information Systems, Dublin City University, Singapore, 2005 
• Diploma in Computer Science, British Computer Society, UK, 2000
• Australian Computer Society Certification: Australian Computer Society, Australia
• Project Management Training – Informatics (PMP)