Sabry Sikkander – Manager Administration

Ahmad Tea Employ Spotlight on Sabry Sikkander

Ahmad Tea’s Sri Lankan office is very important to our business. It has been in operation for over 30 years, and plays a key role buying and blending tea for our worldwide operations. Also, elements of our latest advert were filmed within the tea gardens of Sri Lanka. Therefore, this month, we’re privileged to shine the light on Sabry Sikkander who has played a pivotal role developing and growing our Sri Lankan office. Over to you Sabry.

Can you tell us about your job?

I assist the general manager in the Ahmad Tea Sri Lankan office and together we co-ordinate all the activity within the office. I initially joined to assist with the graphics department. However, with my background in accountancy, my role has expanded over my 21 years at Ahmad Tea to include responsibilities for cost control, finances, and order processing. I also help with new product development; we have an abundance of ideas within our office.

What aspects of your job do you most enjoy?

As we are such a busy office, I really enjoy problem solving and setting up processes to enable the team to work as efficiently as possible. I’m also very passionate about the charity aspects of the business. I was grateful for the opportunity to project manage the building of the Razavi Cancer Hospital which Ahmad Tea redeveloped in 2012 in partnership with the Ministry of Health. I get a huge amount of satisfaction about contributing in any small way to help people. Having a sense of purpose makes me happy.

What are the biggest challenges in your job?

Climate change and shifting weather patterns have dramatically reduced tea yields in Sri Lanka’s tea gardens. This has meant that prices have become more competitive. We’ve also been faced with much uncertainty in our country with the pandemic, economic crisis and the fluctuation of the rupee. Therefore, my biggest challenge has been the speed of change within our country, not being in control of outside influences and constant firefighting.

How do you see the industry changing?

I have noticed a significant growth in the popularity of bubble tea in Sri Lanka.

What’s your favourite tea?

I love English Breakfast tea and sometimes I add cinnamon and cardamom to it for extra flavour. I also love Ahmad Tea’s Chai Spice.

What do you do in your spare time?

I love to be outdoors, so I run, cycle, hiking and mountaineer. I’m very fortunate to live in Sri Lanka as you are always two hours away from the sea or the mountains or some beautiful cultural buildings. It’s a small island filled with a lot of wonders.