Adheesha Dharmakeerthi is a global growth marketing leader and educator based in the UK, recognized by Tech Nation UK as an "Exceptional Talent" in product-led digital technology. He currently serves as the Head of Growth and RevOps at VendingSense UK and is a Director at Anantaya Group Ltd. Adheesha is defined by his ability to bridge the gap between technical infrastructure and commercial growth, having built a formidable reputation in Asia through pivotal leadership roles such as Head of Growth (Vice President) at Alibaba’s Koko and Growth Manager at Axiata’s Genie. With over a decade of experience, he is a specialist in bootstrapping FinTech growth and scaling digital performance for multinational brands across diverse international markets.
Adheesha's career is marked by high-velocity growth initiatives across the UK and Asia. In his current role as Head of Growth and RevOps at Vending Sense Group UK (2024–Present), he spearheaded a data-led overhaul of lead acquisition processes, doubling high-quality lead volumes through advanced CRM signal integration. His previous tenure includes leading growth strategies for Alibaba’s Koko and Axiata’s Genie, where he was responsible for scaling digital performance and navigating the complex interplay between product-led growth and revenue operations. Additionally, he contributed to the national digital landscape in Sri Lanka as a member of business magnate Dhammika Perera’s Think Tank, helping develop the "DP Education" pilot into a market-ready platform.
His excellence in the field has earned him the prestigious Tech Nation "Exceptional Talent" endorsement in 2024, a testament to his impact on product-led tech marketing. Adheesha is also a committed mentor, serving as a Student Mentor at the Quinn Business School, University College Dublin, Ireland (2025). His innovative work in FinTech includes spearheading Sri Lanka's first-ever Lanka QR-based wedding gifting system and running massive-scale flash offers using real-time data analytics.
Adheesha maintains high-level professional standing through memberships as a Chartered Marketer (MCIM), a member of the British Computer Society (MBCS), and the Computer Society of Sri Lanka (MCS-SL). His technical and strategic edge is supported by over 5,000 hours of lecturing and training experience, helping over 3,500 students globally master digital performance marketing.
Adheesha holds an MBA from the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM-USJP) and a B.Sc (Hons) in Business Management from University College Dublin. He also earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Marketing with Merit from CIM (UK). A prolific thought leader, his Op-Ed articles on techno-animism, virality, and FinTech algorithms have been featured in Ceylon Today, Echelon Business Magazine, and Economy Next.
"Teaching, for me, is the ultimate feedback loop."
What I enjoy most is the challenge of translating the high-velocity, often chaotic world of global growth marketing into structured, actionable frameworks. There is a specific kind of professional fulfillment in watching a student or mentee move from being overwhelmed by "big data" to being empowered by it. Having led growth strategies for the likes of Alibaba’s Koko and Axiata’s Genie, I find immense joy in taking "war stories" from the field and turning them into the "aha" moments that help others navigate their own professional hurdles. What drives me as a trainer is the rapid, relentless evolution of our industry. We are currently at a fascinating intersection where traditional marketing, product-led growth, and RevOps converge. My motivation stems from the desire to bridge the gap between academic theory and the grit required to scale a business in the real world.
I am driven by the responsibility to ensure that the next generation of marketing leaders isn't just proficient in using tools, but exceptional in technical intuition and strategic decision-making.My goal is to impact my learners by shifting their mindset from being "executors" to being "growth architects." I want them to leave my sessions not just with a list of tactics, but with the confidence to use data as a compass and technology as a lever. Whether I am lecturing at the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing or conducting corporate training in the UK, I strive to foster a culture of intellectual curiosity. I want my students to challenge the status quo and understand that in the digital age, the most valuable skill is the ability to unlearn and relearn. Ultimately, I measure my success by their ability to drive tangible, measurable impact in their own organizations.
Beyond the boardroom, Adheesha is an endurance runner and a passionate cyclist who has traveled to over 20 countries with a goal to reach 50. His creative side as a pianist, vocalist, and photographer complements his technical precision as a UK-licensed drone pilot. Adheesha operates at the fascinating intersection where traditional marketing and RevOps converge, driven by a "human-first" philosophy. He believes that true growth comes from connecting complex numbers to human stories, solving problems not just through code, but through a deep understanding of the human experience with technology.