CAREER
Looking back at the beginning, Dian completed his secondary education at Royal College and after winning the A/L Form Prize, he began his accounting career in 1977 at KPMG Ford Rhodes. He joined as a management trainee and acquired considerable experience and knowledge, but at the tender age of 22 made a career move to British design and construction company Saracen Interiors as its Financial Controller. It did not take him long to become the Finance Director of the company at the age of 26. Nonetheless, Dian’s calling was in the apparel industry. US Fortune 100 retailer May Corporation which had a buying office in Colombo recruited Dian to become their youngest General Manager globally, in 1987. He continued at MAY, until MAS beckoned him to become the General Manager of Shadowline.
Looking back at the beginning, Dian completed his secondary education at Royal College and after winning the A/L Form Prize, he began his accounting career in 1977 at KPMG Ford Rhodes. He joined as a management trainee and acquired considerable experience and knowledge, but at the tender age of 22 made a career move to British design and construction company Saracen Interiors as its Financial Controller. It did not take him long to become the Finance Director of the company at the age of 26. Nonetheless, Dian’s calling was in the apparel industry. US Fortune 100 retailer May Corporation which had a buying office in Colombo recruited Dian to become their youngest General Manager globally, in 1987. He continued at MAY, until MAS beckoned him to become the General Manager of Shadowline.
Shadowline was an apparel manufacturing plant that was a joint venture between MAS Holdings and MAST Industries of the USA (Victoria’s Secrets). Dian was appointed as a board director of Shadowline within 12 months and Slimline became an expansion to Shadowline. It was a manufacturing plant specializing in underwear and was reserved to be operated as a separate entity, hence required a CEO; and Dian fitted the bill perfectly. He then gained a different skill set to compete in the global arena with the executive education gained at Harvard, Wharton and Ashridge business schools. He later honed his skills on “lean manufacturing” with Toyota Japan which gave him an even sharper edge to lead a multinational organization. His appointment as Managing Director was the opportunity that gave Dian the freehand to create a company which was unique and ahead of its time. His capabilities and diverse experiences together with a fantastic team helped Slimline create the brand image for MAS Holdings in the early years.
Shadowline was an apparel manufacturing plant that was a joint venture between MAS Holdings and MAST Industries of the USA (Victoria’s Secrets). Dian was appointed as a board director of Shadowline within 12 months and Slimline became an expansion to Shadowline. It was a manufacturing plant specializing in underwear and was reserved to be operated as a separate entity, hence required a CEO; and Dian fitted the bill perfectly. He then gained a different skill set to compete in the global arena with the executive education gained at Harvard, Wharton and Ashridge business schools. He later honed his skills on “lean manufacturing” with Toyota Japan which gave him an even sharper edge to lead a multinational organization. His appointment as Managing Director was the opportunity that gave Dian the freehand to create a company which was unique and ahead of its time. His capabilities and diverse experiences together with a fantastic team helped Slimline create the brand image for MAS Holdings in the early years.
The experience that Dian gained at Shadowline and Slimline was proving ground for Dian to take up the position of Managing Director/CEO, of MAS Intimates (Pvt) Limited. Dian was also a Group Director of MAS Holdings. The immense change and expansion that Dian carried out whilst never losing the human touch, created a work ethic and atmosphere within the company that was unique. MAS Holdings grew with Dian from a six-million-dollar company to a two-billion-dollar company, and is where it is today due to Dian’s efforts at raising the conditions of the people, and pinning a value to their contribution while directing the company towards a healthy and sustainable growth that would benefit all stakeholders concerned. He drove women’s empowerment and changed the mindset of the society’s ‘juki’ girl culture by recognizing and fairly rewarding their worth and contribution. In addition, it brought the country much needed foreign exchange.
The experience that Dian gained at Shadowline and Slimline was proving ground for Dian to take up the position of Managing Director/CEO, of MAS Intimates (Pvt) Limited. Dian was also a Group Director of MAS Holdings. The immense change and expansion that Dian carried out whilst never losing the human touch, created a work ethic and atmosphere within the company that was unique. MAS Holdings grew with Dian from a six-million-dollar company to a two-billion-dollar company, and is where it is today due to Dian’s efforts at raising the conditions of the people, and pinning a value to their contribution while directing the company towards a healthy and sustainable growth that would benefit all stakeholders concerned. He drove women’s empowerment and changed the mindset of the society’s ‘juki’ girl culture by recognizing and fairly rewarding their worth and contribution. In addition, it brought the country much needed foreign exchange.
During his time at MAY, Dian and his wife, Dehara, established and constructed Westgate Interiors (Pvt) Ltd. It is currently Sri Lanka’s leading corporate Interior Design and Construction company. With a Colombo head-office centralizing their space planning, design and consultancy practices along with a 50,000 sq. ft state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Panadura, Westgate boasts a multifaceted team of creative professionals who bring about an artistic nuance to every project they undertake. Dian and Dehara’s passion for creativity and commitment to perfection is reflected through this venture, which offers its clients an end to end, design and manufacture service.
During his time at MAY, Dian and his wife, Dehara, established and constructed Westgate Interiors (Pvt) Ltd. It is currently Sri Lanka’s leading corporate Interior Design and Construction company. With a Colombo head-office centralizing their space planning, design and consultancy practices along with a 50,000 sq. ft state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Panadura, Westgate boasts a multifaceted team of creative professionals who bring about an artistic nuance to every project they undertake. Dian and Dehara’s passion for creativity and commitment to perfection is reflected through this venture, which offers its clients an end to end, design and manufacture service.
In 2004 Dian started Gandhara Crafts & Artifacts (Pvt) Ltd. As a benefactor of talented artisans, he has formed a haven for creative minds at Gandhara, which is now an iconic artifacts and lifestyle store that specializes in home interiors. He appreciates the highest forms of craftsmanship and art, and has hand-picked the items displayed at Gandhara during his numerous travels overseas. The store offers a collection of items from Sri Lanka as well as other culturally diverse regions such as Peru, Tibet, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Burma and many countries in Africa. Gandhara is the center point of Gandhara Street, Sri Lanka’s first ever art street situated in the heart of Colombo 6.
In 2004 Dian started Gandhara Crafts & Artifacts (Pvt) Ltd. As a benefactor of talented artisans, he has formed a haven for creative minds at Gandhara, which is now an iconic artifacts and lifestyle store that specializes in home interiors. He appreciates the highest forms of craftsmanship and art, and has hand-picked the items displayed at Gandhara during his numerous travels overseas. The store offers a collection of items from Sri Lanka as well as other culturally diverse regions such as Peru, Tibet, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Burma and many countries in Africa. Gandhara is the center point of Gandhara Street, Sri Lanka’s first ever art street situated in the heart of Colombo 6.
Over the past ten years, Gandhara Street has become Colombo’s go-to destination for one stop retail and café culture; creating a horizontal mall with over 30 offerings from multiple vendors. The curated mix of brands is spread across Fashion, Lifestyle, Wellness, Dining and Art, creating the first ‘art street’ in Sri Lanka. As a crown addition to this title, Dian opened the Colombo Art Gallery; a dedicated gallery housing a diverse collection of paintings and sculptures. Gandhara Street is driven by passionate Sri Lankans, and the lush greenery that it encompasses is meticulously protected and maintained by Dian’s team. Today, what he started more than a decade ago is a haven for art and design lovers.
Over the past ten years, Gandhara Street has become Colombo’s go-to destination for one stop retail and café culture; creating a horizontal mall with over 30 offerings from multiple vendors. The curated mix of brands is spread across Fashion, Lifestyle, Wellness, Dining and Art, creating the first ‘art street’ in Sri Lanka. As a crown addition to this title, Dian opened the Colombo Art Gallery; a dedicated gallery housing a diverse collection of paintings and sculptures. Gandhara Street is driven by passionate Sri Lankans, and the lush greenery that it encompasses is meticulously protected and maintained by Dian’s team. Today, what he started more than a decade ago is a haven for art and design lovers.
As an entrepreneur, Dian has also ventured into the hospitality industry, having nurtured a love for the perfect blend of architecture and nature throughout the years. Villa Republic was born, and Dian’s first endeavor was Villa Red, Bentota. What he envisioned as perhaps a personal getaway became Dian’s own canvass, where he created a beautiful and tranquil home away from home. Inspired by globally acclaimed architect Geoffrey Bawa, Villa Red, Bentota eventually became a reality, built on the shores of the Bentara River, hidden in an enclosure where guests can enjoy a quiet vacation away from the hustle of city life. Today Villa Republic has a portfolio of three villas, including two in Bentota and Bandarawela, and the ten-room luxury boutique villa in Gintota (which is now managed by the Postcard Group, the international chain of boutique hotels).
As an entrepreneur, Dian has also ventured into the hospitality industry, having nurtured a love for the perfect blend of architecture and nature throughout the years. Villa Republic was born, and Dian’s first endeavor was Villa Red, Bentota. What he envisioned as perhaps a personal getaway became Dian’s own canvass, where he created a beautiful and tranquil home away from home. Inspired by globally acclaimed architect Geoffrey Bawa, Villa Red, Bentota eventually became a reality, built on the shores of the Bentara River, hidden in an enclosure where guests can enjoy a quiet vacation away from the hustle of city life. Today Villa Republic has a portfolio of three villas, including two in Bentota and Bandarawela, and the ten-room luxury boutique villa in Gintota (which is now managed by the Postcard Group, the international chain of boutique hotels).
At the age of 58, Dian’s retirement plans fell by the wayside when he retired from MAS holdings after 26 years, and Dominic McVey offered a stake in ownership and the chairmanship of Hela Clothing (Pvt) Limited. Always up for a challenge, Dian accepted the position due to the potential that the company held. Hela is today a leading apparel manufacturing company with plants in Sri Lanka, Kenya and Ethiopia. Furthermore, the company has evolved as a complete solution provider with design and innovation services offered through its offices in Sri Lanka, New York and United Kingdom. He divested his shareholding in 2018 to a foreign investor and completely retired from the apparel industry. His legacy of creating better working conditions and equal pay for bottom-line workers is his biggest contribution to the rural villages in Sri Lanka. Dian was conferred the National title of “Sri Lanka Sikhamani” by the President, Hon. Maithripala Sirisena at the National Honors Awards Ceremony on the 19th August 2019, for his contribution and service to the country.
At the age of 58, Dian’s retirement plans fell by the wayside when he retired from MAS holdings after 26 years, and Dominic McVey offered a stake in ownership and the chairmanship of Hela Clothing (Pvt) Limited. Always up for a challenge, Dian accepted the position due to the potential that the company held. Hela is today a leading apparel manufacturing company with plants in Sri Lanka, Kenya and Ethiopia. Furthermore, the company has evolved as a complete solution provider with design and innovation services offered through its offices in Sri Lanka, New York and United Kingdom. He divested his shareholding in 2018 to a foreign investor and completely retired from the apparel industry. His legacy of creating better working conditions and equal pay for bottom-line workers is his biggest contribution to the rural villages in Sri Lanka. Dian was conferred the National title of “Sri Lanka Sikhamani” by the President, Hon. Maithripala Sirisena at the National Honors Awards Ceremony on the 19th August 2019, for his contribution and service to the country.
2018 saw his three-decade long tenure in the apparel industry come to an end. Dian turned his complete focus towards his own businesses Gandhara, Gandhara Street, Villa Republic and Westgate International, where he has divested all his shares and handed the businesses over to his two daughters Shahili and Elisha, both of whom completed their Masters degrees at Imperial College in London. Just when Dian thought he was in retirement, he was requested to be the Honorary Consul of Georgia in Sri Lanka. The inauguration of the Honorary Consulate of Georgia in Sri Lanka took place on 5th February 2019. The event was hosted by the newly appointed Honorary Consul of Georgia in Sri Lanka, Hon. Consul Dian Gomes and His Excellency Archil Dzuliashvili the Ambassador to Georgia. Currently Dian serves in this diplomatic capacity and also serves as a non-executive board member of Nestle PLC. With his businesses in the hands of his capable daughters, Dian has the time to do what he truly enjoys; teaching, traveling and investing his time in boxing. To this day, he continues to find and nurture new talent in boxing with a view to one day achieving his dream of an Olympic gold in boxing for Sri Lanka.
2018 saw his three-decade long tenure in the apparel industry come to an end. Dian turned his complete focus towards his own businesses Gandhara, Gandhara Street, Villa Republic and Westgate International, where he has divested all his shares and handed the businesses over to his two daughters Shahili and Elisha, both of whom completed their Masters degrees at Imperial College in London. Just when Dian thought he was in retirement, he was requested to be the Honorary Consul of Georgia in Sri Lanka. The inauguration of the Honorary Consulate of Georgia in Sri Lanka took place on 5th February 2019. The event was hosted by the newly appointed Honorary Consul of Georgia in Sri Lanka, Hon. Consul Dian Gomes and His Excellency Archil Dzuliashvili the Ambassador to Georgia. Currently Dian serves in this diplomatic capacity and also serves as a non-executive board member of Nestle PLC. With his businesses in the hands of his capable daughters, Dian has the time to do what he truly enjoys; teaching, traveling and investing his time in boxing. To this day, he continues to find and nurture new talent in boxing with a view to one day achieving his dream of an Olympic gold in boxing for Sri Lanka.