Mr Charm Thilaka Hewage

• Qualifications:MBA (UWE), B.Com (Sp), PhD Candidate, AAT (UK), CMI, CBA
• Position:Associate Lecturer | Research Associate | PhD Candidate
• Department:Bristol Business School FBL - Business and Management
• Telephone:+441179656261
• Email:Charm.Thilakahewage@uwe.ac.uk
• Social media:

About me

I am a doctoral researcher and higher education professional with an academic background spanning business management, finance and accounting, and organisational studies. I joined HRWE after being awarded a PhD scholarship on the 1st January 2026, where my research explores intersectionality and contemporary workplace issues, with particular attention to inequality, identity, and employee experiences. Alongside my doctoral studies, I work as an Associate Lecturer, teaching and supervising students across a range of Human Resource Management subjects.

I also contribute as a Research Associate working with Professor Sue Durbin on a project that translates leading academic research on reduced-hours working into practical and impactful industry solutions, with a particular focus on jobshare partnerships (JSPs). It has been identified JSPs as one of the most effective yet least utilised forms of reduced-hours working for senior leaders, with strong potential across wider organisational levels. In this role, I support knowledge exchange between academia and industry through evidence gathering, analysis, and professional reporting which includes ethics preparation, literature reviews, engagement with job-share networks, thematic analysis of workshops, and contributing to feasibility assessments, insight reports, and practical guidance materials. This will ensure that the workshop is not a “one off” but, rather, that it has lasting, reusable insight for the entire region.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Commerce and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from UWE Bristol. Professionally, I am a qualified member of AAT (UK), a qualified Business Accountant (CBA), and a member of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI UK).

One of my recent academic achievements includes independently leading a consultancy project for the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust (CSBT), Bristol, focused on the development of a new business strategy, under the academic supervision of Dr Jackie Barker (Senior Lecturer in Strategy and Operations Management, UWE Bristol). The project aligned with the wider ambitions of the Bristol-One-City-Plan, which brings together universities, industry, and civic partners to support Bristol’s long-term economic, cultural, and social development. By strengthening the Clifton Suspension Bridge’s positioning as a filming location, the project contributed to initiatives aimed at promoting screen-production economy, with the anticipated indirect benefit of enhancing tourism, supporting wider economic benefits across hospitality, transport, and related city sectors.

Prior to joining UWE Bristol, I gained around 15 years of professional experience across a range of organisations, including NHS England, PwC UK, Emirates Telecommunications Global, NTB Bank, KFC UK, and MAS Holdings. These roles provided exposure to diverse organisational cultures and management practices, informing my cross-disciplinary perspective that integrates finance, management, and HRM.

My research focuses on workplace experiences, equality, diversity and inclusion, particularly among under-represented and non-managerial employees, viewed through the lens of intersectionality and intersectional invisibility. I am interested in how organisational practices shape employee wellbeing, authenticity, and career outcomes, and how evidence-based management can foster more inclusive, supportive, and psychologically safe workplaces.

Publications

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