Nations Trust Bank PLC has announced the appointment of Krishan Balendra as the Chairman of Nations Trust Bank (NTB) with effect from 1st May, succeeding Arjuna Gunaratne who will be resigning with effect from 30th April 2014, following the completion of nine years on the Board of NTB, in compliance with Central Bank of Sri Lanka rules.

The appointment of Balendra was unanimously decided at the meeting of the Board of Directors of NTB held on 31st March. Balendra was appointed to the Board of NTB in December 2009 and currently serves as a member of the Board Supervisory Committee, the Human Resources and Remuneration Committee, Nomination Committee and the Board Credit Committee of the Bank.

He is a President and member of the Group Executive Committee of John Keells Holdings PLC and has responsibility for the Retail sector and John Keells Stock Brokers. He is the Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange. He started his professional career at UBS Warburg, Hong Kong, in investment banking, focusing primarily on equity capital markets. After a four year stint in Hong Kong, he continued his career in corporate finance at Aitken Spence & Co. PLC, Sri Lanka prior to joining JKH. Balendra holds a law degree (LLB) from the University of London and an MBA from INSEAD.