By Sujeeva Nivunhella reporting from London

Lushani Kodituwakku, Founder and Managing Director of Luminii Consulting, was recently awarded the Women in Business/Entrepreneurship award at the Women in Management UK Professional & Career Women Awards 2024.

In November 2023, she was named Chief Executive Officer of the Year in Market Research and Intelligence in the UK. In April 2023, she received the award for Commercial Due Diligence Provider of the Year at the European Private Equity Awards.

Since its inception in 2017, Luminii Consulting has established itself as a leading advisory firm, delivering complex strategy, Commercial Due Diligence (CDD), value creation, market research, and intelligence projects. Kodituwakku’s extensive experience spans over 25 years, assisting private equity, venture capital, large corporates, SMEs, and banks in their investment, market-entry, and strategic initiatives. Her expertise has solidified her reputation as one of the foremost CDD and strategy advisors in the UK.

Kodituwakku’s career trajectory includes founding Luminii after spearheading the Grant Thornton Strategy and CDD team since 2008. She also launched and led the UK operations for Neovian Partners, a French strategy provider, serving as their UK Managing Partner. Her earlier roles included Directorship at PMSI Consulting and contributions to the strategy and market intelligence teams at KPMG and Frost & Sullivan.

Throughout her career, Kodituwakku has supported over 500 businesses across various sectors, including technology, media & telecoms, B2B products and services, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, property, construction, education, energy, and financial services. Her strategic and entrepreneurial acumen, combined with a unique skill set, has driven significant growth and investment strategies for her clients.

In addition to her professional achievements, Kodituwakku is a Non-Executive Director on the board of Judges Scientific plc., a leading AIM-quoted group specializing in scientific instruments. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics with first-class honours and a Master of Research in Management and Organizational Behaviour.

Kodituwakku’s contributions extend beyond the business realm. She has been teaching mindfulness to children for 15 years and has initiated mindfulness programmes at Grant Thornton and Luminii, along with a Women’s Wellness group. Her community involvement includes supporting two registered charities, fundraising, and mentoring undergraduates.

Her early achievements in drama also highlight her versatility. Kodituwakku won Best Actress at the All Island Shakespeare Competitions in Sri Lanka in 1992 and the All Island Royal Interact Drama Competitions in 1993. She appeared in a Canadian movie with Ryan Reynolds in 1993, a German TV series, and a Sinhala movie directed by Gamini Fonseka. Recently, she performed in the stage play Kelani Palama in London and Nottingham.

Kodituwakku’s multifaceted career and dedication to both business and community service make her a distinguished figure in the professional world. Her recent award underscores her significant impact and ongoing contributions to various fields.