FLA appoints new board member

The Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) has announced that it has appointed Shanika Amarasekara MBE to its board.

Amarasekara succeeds Stephen Haddrill, who retires at the end of July. Amarasekara will take up the role at the beginning of August.

Amarasekara brings deep experience in supporting economic development and innovation across the financial services landscape. She served most recently as Chief Impact Officer at the British Business Bank, where she oversaw policy, strategy, economics, sustainability and public affairs. Prior to that, she was the General Counsel, playing a key role in the design and implementation of national finance schemes during the Covid-19 pandemic. Her earlier career includes senior legal and advisory roles at the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation, where she worked on cross-border Islamic finance structures, the Royal Bank of Scotland and at Allen & Overy. She has also worked on projects related to fintech regulation, green finance, and financial inclusion at both domestic and international levels.

John Phillipou, Chair of the FLA, said “The Board is immensely pleased to have appointed Shanika to this key role. Stephen Haddrill, the outgoing DG, has done a great job modernising the FLA, and Shanika’s breadth of experience, range of contacts and astute industry insights will help shape the next phase of the Association’s development.”