Q: As the new CEO of IFS, what strategies will you employ to sustain the strong growth momentum of the company?

A: Over the past five years, we’ve pursued our 2025 company goals with determination, achieving milestones such as earning US$2 billion in revenue, 25 percent average software revenue growth, 80 percent customer satisfaction, tripling brand awareness and elevating employee engagement.

We prioritise six key industries – energy and utilities, manufacturing, telecommunications, aerospace and defence, construction and engineering, and service industries – known for their asset heavy and capital intensive nature.
Our winning themes resonate strongly with customers – including our single composable cloud platform, which enables scalability and flexibility. We empower clients to choose between deploying our platform in their environments or utilising our hosted solution.

Additionally, our commitment to delivering biannual updates ensures that customers benefit from the latest innovations in research and development.

Q: How critical is artificial intelligence (AI) to IFS – and what role will it play in the company’s future?

A: AI plays a pivotal role in IFS present and future. Our investment in AI capabilities spans across enterprise service management, asset management, ERP (enterprise resource planning), and field service management.

We offer over 50 value scenarios, each containing predictive components based on the data we analyse for our clients. These include aircraft maintenance planning and asset performance management among others.

Q: Could you outline how your customers are leveraging IFS’ AI capabilities?

A: AI is driving innovation and delivering tangible value across various domains. For instance, by harnessing data generated from operational assets in manufacturing environments, we can pinpoint anomalies.

Furthermore, AI plays a pivotal role in optimising field operations for industries like telecommunications. From managing spare parts inventory to driving routes for engineers, our AI algorithms enhance efficiency and productivity.

Q: What trends fuelled IFS growth?

A: There’s a significant demand among enterprises seeking solutions to address legacy technology challenges. At IFS, we’re uniquely positioned to meet this demand by offering modern, agile, cloud composable technology tailored to our customers’ needs.

Another trend that works in our favour is our solution’s ability to drive cost reduction, enhance productivity and improve operational efficiency.

Q: How do you see Sri Lanka’s role in helping IFS sustain this strong growth momentum?

A: Sri Lanka plays a pivotal role in several key ways. With a workforce of 2,500 individuals, expected to expand considerably in the next year, Sri Lanka serves as the nucleus of our operations.

These talented professionals contribute across various facets of our business including software engineering, product development, consulting project delivery, finance, HR and procurement.

Q: What key steps has IFS taken to retain and attract talent for IFS Sri Lanka?

A: Addressing the significant brain drain in Sri Lanka’s IT industry is crucial, and IFS is implementing several strategies to retain and attract top talent.

Firstly, we prioritise promoting IFS as an exceptional workplace for individuals to advance their careers and foster personal growth. This focus has resulted in a low attrition rate of less than 10 percent within our company.

We actively engage with academic institutions, forging strong partnerships and collaborations to tap into emerging talent pools.

While some talent may inevitably seek opportunities abroad, we hope to mitigate the extent of this exodus by offering compelling career paths within IFS.

Q: How does IFS differentiate itself from its competitors?

A: Our differentiation strategy revolves around a few key principles.

Firstly, we focus on our target industries, ensuring a deep understanding of their needs and challenges.

Another distinguishing factor is the flexibility we offer. Customers have the freedom to choose how they deploy our solutions.

Our commitment to being customer-centric is a core aspect of our identity. As CEO, I dedicate over 50 percent of my time to engaging with customers, listening to their feedback, and understanding their requirements.

Q: What learnings have you made in the transition from your position as Chief Customer Officer at IFS?

A: It feels like the culmination of a lifetime of preparation. Throughout my career, I’ve held diverse roles across various industries, each contributing to my readiness for this leadership position.

My tenure of 18 months at IFS before assuming the CEO role provided me with invaluable insights and familiarity with the company’s operations, making the transition seamless.

I consider myself fortunate to have the support of our previous CEO, who now serves as Chairman of the board. His guidance and mentorship ensures a smooth transition.

I’m incredibly enthusiastic about this opportunity – it’s the role I’ve been preparing for throughout my career, and I’m eager to lead IFS into its next phase of growth and success.

Q: How do you envision the next two or three years for the company?

A: I anticipate significant growth and development for IFS. We see ample opportunities for Sri Lankan-based companies to leverage our software solutions.

Our commitment to Sri Lanka remains unwavering, reflecting our belief in the country’s potential and our desire to foster a strong partnership.

– Compiled by Allaam Ousman
COMPANY DETAILS

Telephone: +44 7775114856 | Email: press@ifs.com | Website: www.ifs.com