Tuesday Jul 28, 2026
Tuesday Jul 28, 2026
Monday, 27 July 2026 04:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Ravi Bamunusinghe
|
Dr. Lester Massingham |
The passing of Dr. Lester Massingham last week is a great loss to the international and Sri Lankan management community and to the many students, academics, and business leaders whose lives he touched.
A graduate of Durham University, Dr. Massingham built an outstanding career as a scholar, educator, consultant, and mentor. Internationally recognised for his expertise in marketing, strategic management, and research methodology, he authored influential textbooks including Essentials of Marketing, Essentials of Marketing Management, and Marketing Case Studies, which educated students and professionals worldwide. He also made a significant contribution to the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK), helping strengthen professional marketing education.
Those meeting him for the first time often found him demanding; he expected precision, clear thinking, and intellectual discipline. But beneath that rigour was a warm, generous man who genuinely cared about helping others grow. He challenged people not to discourage them, but because he believed in their potential, and many who began as his students became lifelong colleagues and friends.
Sri Lanka benefited greatly from his expertise. He played a key role in developing postgraduate management education, particularly through Master and Dr. of Business Administration programs, while advising leading organisations on marketing and strategy. His work helped shape management thinking in both academia and industry, leaving an impact that will endure for years to come.
Dr. Massingham’s true legacy lies not only in the books he wrote or the positions he held, but in the people he inspired. He encouraged excellence, nurtured confidence, and generously shared his knowledge and experience. Those who learned from or worked with him will remember not only his brilliant mind, but also his kindness, integrity, and unwavering commitment to others’ success.
His influence will endure through the many lives he shaped, and he will be remembered with deep respect, gratitude, and affection.
