From the inspirations that fuelled their ambitions to the goals they’ve set for the future, MaltaCEOs.mt asked some of Malta’s top CEOs to sum up their year, share their concerns, and reveal the soundtracks that best capture their 2024 journeys.
Claire Zammit Xuereb
AX Group Director – Hotels and Care
If you had to describe 2024 in three words, what words would you use?
I have two words to describe 2024! Extra ordinary.
Who inspired you the most in 2024 and why?
The people who inspire me the most are our staff and management. They gave their absolute best to make it all happen. Truly, they are my greatest inspiration.
What are your goals for 2025?
2025, for me, is the start of a new era.
What is your major concern for 2025?
A major concern for 2025 is undoubtedly capacity – balancing supply and demand across critical areas such as bed stock, workforce availability, and infrastructure.
What song would you pick as a soundtrack for 2024?
Café Com Leite by Poirier and Flavia Coelho.
Rebecca Bonnici
CEO, BELS
If you had to describe 2024 in three words, what words would you use?
Resilience, Learning, Diversification.
Who inspired you the most in 2024 and why?
I would say my daughter inspired me the most this year. Watching her step into her teenage years with confidence and curiosity reminded me of the importance of embracing change and finding joy in the journey. Her resilience and ability to adapt have been a constant source of motivation for me.
What are your goals for 2025?
My goals for 2025 include further strengthening BELS’ presence in international markets, diversifying our educational offerings, and achieving a higher level of operational excellence. On a personal level, I aim to continue fostering meaningful connections within the industry while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
What is your major concern for 2025?
My major concern is navigating the uncertainties in global economic conditions that may impact the demand for language education. Ensuring we remain adaptable and innovative will be key to overcoming these challenges.
What song would you pick as a soundtrack for 2024?
Stronger by Kelly Clarkson.
Nicky Camilleri
CEO, Welbee’s Supermarket
If you had to describe 2024 in three words, what words would you use?
A rollercoaster year with a happy ending.
Who inspired you the most in 2024 and why?
In 2024, I followed closely Neil Agius’ record-breaking swim, which was truly inspirational. His perseverance, endurance, and frame of mind are simply amazing.
What are your goals for 2025?
To continue growing the Welbee’s brand and remain a leader in what we do.
What is your major concern for 2025?
Sometimes I see businesses that lost their core values.
What song would you pick as a soundtrack for 2024?
What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger by Kelly Clarkson.
Nadia Pace
Non-Executive Director and Executive Mentor
If you had to describe 2024 in three words, what words would you use?
Clarity, focus, transformation.
Who inspired you the most in 2024 and why?
It’s hard to pick just one! I’m lucky to be surrounded by inspiring clients and a truly fantastic group of friends dotted around the globe.
What are your goals for 2025?
My goals are twofold: To realign my business model and to accelerate the expansion of my internationalisation services.
What is your major concern for 2025?
Life’s unpredictability can be looked at as a blessing or a curse. I could be concerned, but I am choosing to embrace it!
What song would you pick as a soundtrack for 2024?
Three Little Birds (Don’t Worry About a Thing) by Bob Marley.
Kenneth Farrugia
CEO, Bank of Valletta
If you had to describe 2024 in three words, what words would you use?
Exciting, overwhelming, great.
Who inspired you the most in 2024 and why?
The individual who inspired me the most in 2024 was my Chairman, Gordon Cordina. His analytical rigour and methodological mindset are always compelling. Above all, he is a great person to work with.
What are your goals for 2025?
- Technology and digital transformation: This encompasses our cybersecurity, operational resilience, and digital transformation program. Integration of AI in business and operational models will lead to operational optimization and enhanced customer experience.
- Sustainability: In its broadest sense but primarily revolving around the importance for our strategy to continue being driven by initiatives that will enable us to sustain our business in the longer term. ESG will be a central backbone for all business and operational model decisions.
- Innovation: Innovation across our Customer Channels, Products/Services, and Operations will continue to be strengthened over the course of FY 2025 to ensure a compelling and competitive proposition in the market.
What is your major concern for 2025?
My major concern for 2025 revolves around international geopolitical tensions, the way they will evolve, and their resultant impact on Malta’s economy and the Bank’s business. The new regulations that are being introduced in the sector are also a cause for concern as they are limiting our ability to devote more time to strengthen our service proposition.
What song would you pick as a soundtrack for 2024?
If I had to choose a song as the soundtrack for 2024, it would be New Rules by Dua Lipa, reflecting the dynamic changes that will have an impact on our economic and business landscape that will continue to require our organisation to be adaptive in an agile manner.
Paul Mifsud
CEO, Sparkasse
If you had to describe 2024 in three words, what words would you use?
Challenging yet rewarding.
Who inspired you the most in 2024 and why?
Marcus Aurelius – I was prompted to pick up his biography as a result of the movie Gladiator II and was inspired by his philosophy as a Stoic.
What are your goals for 2025?
Seize opportunities and grow our business.
What is your major concern for 2025?
I have no major concerns as I believe in the resilience of man.
What song would you pick as a soundtrack for 2024?
I’m gonna miss you by Milli Vanilli.
Denise Xuereb
AX GROUP Director of Development and Construction, and AX REAL ESTATE CEO
If you had to describe 2024 in three words, what words would you use?
Challenging. Inspiring. Rewarding.
Who inspired you the most in 2024 and why?
Simone Biles truly inspired me. Her comeback after taking time off for her mental health showed incredible strength. She never gave up, even when things were tough, and returned to gymnastics stronger than ever, winning multiple gold medals. It’s a reminder that perseverance and self-care can go hand-in-hand, and it’s okay to take a step back to come back even stronger.
What are your goals for 2025?
In 2025, my goal is to see the key projects I’ve been developing with my team over the years, come to life and be fully experienced. This includes seeing buyers move into their new homes at Verdala Terraces and witnessing the first guests enjoying transformative experiences at the Verdala Wellness Hotel. Advancing Phase 2 of the ODYCY Destination in Qawra, bringing this exciting development closer to reality for both visitors and the community at large.
What is your major concern for 2025?
Ensuring there’s enough time to bring all the exciting ideas and plans I have to fruition!
What song would you pick as a soundtrack for 2024?
I ain’t worried by OneRepublic.
Charlotte Sant Portanier
CEO, Healthmark
If you had to describe 2024 in three words, what words would you use?
Busy, challenging, positive. This year has been about laying down solid foundations for the future while navigating a packed and positive schedule filled with opportunities and challenges.
Who inspired you the most in 2024 and why?
Gisele Pelicot. I am in awe of this courageous woman – what she has endured and how she is publicly confronting a traumatic nine-year ordeal to seek justice. Her courage, strength, and bravery are truly inspiring. That said, I am also inspired by every woman, especially mothers, who constantly balance home and work life, delivering excellence no matter the circumstances.
What are your goals for 2025?
To focus on areas of the business where significant resources have been invested over the past two years. These include driving more innovation, including digitalisation, doubling down on sustainability and more strategic growth, particularly with more expansion overseas.
What is your major concern for 2025?
Adapting to new legislation and policies, particularly those impacting the labour market and labour migration practices. Staying ahead of these changes while maintaining agility and resilience remains my top priority.
What song would you pick as a soundtrack for 2024?
Definitely for me it would be Defying Gravity from Wicked, which makes me think of how I defy the hours of the day! Jokes aside, this anthem embodies the spirit of breaking limits, overcoming challenges, and soaring to new heights – exactly what 2024 has been about.
Marcel Cassar
CEO, APS Bank
If you had to describe 2024 in three words, what words would you use?
Ground-breaking, stimulating, exciting.
Who inspired you the most in 2024 and why?
Someone I know who, days before passing away from a terminal illness and many complications,
when asked how he was feeling he would smile warmly and reply “I’m very well, thank you.”
What are your goals for 2025?
To take APS Bank to new horizons, building on the growth and significant transformation of recent years.
What is your major concern for 2025?
We are in times of unprecedented geopolitical and economic tensions, with potential trade disruptions, cybersecurity and financial system risks that are difficult to predict.
What song would you pick as a soundtrack for 2024?
It would be one from my boyhood, by The Isley Brothers – Harvest for the World. An R&B funk, socially conscious piece that speaks about sustainability and world peace. Can you think of something more topical?
Christabelle Camilleri
CEO, V&C Group
If you had to describe 2024 in three words, what words would you use?
Growth, resilience, legacy.
2024 was a year of growth, both personally and professionally. It tested our resilience as we navigated challenges, and it reinforced my commitment to building something meaningful that will leave a lasting legacy.
Who inspired you the most in 2024 and why?
This year, I was deeply inspired by Simone Biles. Her journey of overcoming mental health challenges and making an extraordinary comeback is a powerful reminder that strength comes not just from physical ability but from prioritizing mental well-being. Her courage to step back, focus on herself, and then return stronger than ever inspires me to embrace challenges with grace and determination.
Closer to home, I’ve also drawn inspiration from the Maltese community, witnessing individuals and businesses push boundaries to achieve greatness while supporting each other in times of need.
What are your goals for 2025?
My key goals for 2025 are:
- Expanding 6FIFTYTWO® into new markets, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of luxury and quality.
- Prioritising sustainability and innovation to align with the growing demand for environmentally responsible businesses.
- On a personal level I would say, achieving a better work-life balance by dedicating more time to my family and wellness, which are essential for long-term success.
What is your major concern for 2025?
My major concern lies in the global economic uncertainty, particularly its impact on consumer spending and supply chains. Ensuring that we remain adaptable and resilient will be critical.
Another concern is the continued challenge of attracting and retaining top-tier talent. Building an environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and growth will be a top priority.
What song would you pick as a soundtrack for 2024?
Flowers by Miley Cyrus perfectly captures the essence of 2024 for me. It’s a powerful anthem of resilience, independence, and finding strength within oneself – values that have defined my journey this year.
James Cassar
Group Managing Director, 242.group
If you had to describe 2024 in three words, what words would you use?
Challenging, motivating, rollercoaster.
Who inspired you the most in 2024 and why?
A friend who is happy and very thankful, despite having so little.
What are your goals for 2025?
Securing main milestones in international growth and main milestones on a family level.
What is your major concern for 2025?
Juggling business growth, business consolidation and winning brownie points at home at the same time.
What song would you pick as a soundtrack for 2024?
Four seasons by Vivaldi
Christian Gravina
CEO, GCS Malta
If you had to describe 2024 in three words, what words would you use?
Exciting, ambitious, and strong
Who inspired you the most in 2024 and why?
Elon Musk, a person with ambition but makes sure that his ideas are realised and successful.
What are your goals for 2025?
To strengthen our corporate service offering to more regulated entities (as GCS Malta) and excited to be producing more shows adding to our existing formats we produce (as Media Exclusive).
What is your major concern for 2025?
I believe that costs to business will continue to rise and will become very challenging for certain business to survive. Furthermore the human resource issue would continue to persist and this will also be another struggle for various businesses that require the necessary personnel to conduct their business.
What song would you pick as a soundtrack for 2024?
Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter
Norman Aquilina
CEO, Farsons Group
If you had to describe 2024 in three words, what words would you use?
A year dominated by conflicts, geopolitical and immigration tensions.
Who inspired you the most in 2024 and why?
I consider myself more of a self-driven person and frankly have difficulty in singling out an inspirational person. For me, it’s more about an inspiring environment, especially when experienced with people whom I come across in my day-to-day work, who whatever the rank and file, take much pride and satisfaction in their jobs and responsibilities. This is inspiration in its simplest of forms, one that is uplifting and drives you forward with a positive mindset. The ability to project positiveness stands as the foundation and starting point of all forms of inspiration.
What are your goals for 2025?
The overall goal will certainly be that of continuing to steer our business forward despite the fast-changing competitive market landscape. More specifically, the year ahead is expected to be one that will see us take forward some major strategic decisions, and therefore I will be particularly focussed on ensuring our plans do successfully materialise.
What is your major concern for 2025?
For 2025 and beyond, mine is more of a concerning desire to see our country run with less permitting and more planning, less polarizing politics and more meaningful policies, and ultimately, less government and more governance.
What song would you pick as a soundtrack for 2024?
Despite 2024 being a highly charged and challenging year, I nonetheless opt for the uplifting classic soundtrack that urges us to keep moving forward despite the obstacles: Don’t stop believin’ by Journey.
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