Mercury Towers introduces its core leadership team

Mercury Towers has introduced the core team behind the St Julian’s project, led by CEO Marcel Bonnici.

The project, which the company states is earmarked to become a “new cultural hub” will offer curated experiences that are designed to “intrigue, delight and inspire a sense of place”. With 4,000 square metres of open public spaces, Mercury Towers has repurposed a once gated and derelict space into one to be enjoyed by the local community and visitors alike.

It will offer a diverse collection of retail, food and drink, wellness, and entertainment, together with the luxury ME Malta Hotel by Meliá Hotels International, all set to provide what the company describes as the “ultimate lifestyle experience for the discerning consumer”. Anchored by a large square which includes a reflection pool, Mercury Towers, set to open in September, aims to give the community a “calm and peaceful enclave” within the busy surroundings of St Julian’s.

Guiding the initial operational phase is a team of accomplished industry leaders, bringing expertise from both the consumer lifestyle and corporate sectors.

Led by CEO Mr Bonnici, the team will work to surpass existing standards locally, “setting a new benchmark that will benefit the local community and visitors alike”. The collective efforts of the team will ensure an “exceptional experience” for all stakeholders involved, the company says.

Together with him, the senior leadership team at Mercury Towers consists of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Neal Debono, along with Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Keith Fabri.

The leadership team

Marcel Bonnici, CEO

As CEO, Mr Bonnici assumed the helm in 2019, and has been instrumental in developing a strong and adaptable management structure to foster long term success for Mercury Towers. His unwavering commitment to excellence, has played a pivotal role in shaping Mercury Towers as “Malta’s premier destination for retail, food and beverage, wellness, accommodation and entertainment”. With a Degree in Economics from University of Malta and an MBA from the Maastricht School of Management, he supplements his extensive professional experience with a solid academic background. Prior to Mercury Towers, Mr Bonnici has held several senior leadership roles, where he honed his expertise in people management, organisational structure and operational excellence.

Neal Debono, CCO

Mr Debono carries a wealth of expertise in business development, operations, and strategic partnerships. As CCO, he is responsible for developing the company’s portfolio and shaping its commercial strategy. Having held several senior positions with global hospitality brands in a top-level operational capacity, he also oversees the overarching operations of Mercury Towers, in order to fully optimise on efficiency and execution. With a deep understanding of market trends and consumer preferences, Mr Debono is passionate about perfecting the consumer lifestyle experience. Prior to joining Mercury Towers, he held the position of CEO at Xara Collection. He is classically educated in the art of hospitality and holds a master’s degree.

Keith Fabri, CFO

Mr Fabri brings years of experience leading companies to financial success, particularly within the hotels sector. He has collaborated with various international hotel brands, bringing invaluable expertise to his role of CFO at Mercury Towers, as one of Malta’s “newest and largest hospitality operations”. He most recently held the position of Area Director of Finance for a luxury hotel brand, spearheading the financial operations for a portfolio of five properties. Mr Fabri’s role on the Mercury Towers senior leadership team also encompasses acquisitions, an area in which he is deeply knowledgeable. As a seasoned hospitality professional, he is passionate about disruptive business, and setting new service-driven operations up for success.

Supporting the senior team in the business operation are the functional departments of Human Resources (HR), as well as Marketing and Brand Communications, which are led by Marijana Fedoroff and Matthew James Smith, respectively.

Marijana Fedoroff, Director of HR

As a seasoned HR professional, Ms Fedoroff plays a pivotal role in shaping the company’s strategies, policies, and initiatives, contributing to the overall success and wellbeing of the employees and the organisation. She previously held the position of Cluster Director of HR overseeing operations for one of the world’s largest hotel brands. Ms Fedoroff brings a global perspective to her role, having served as HR Manager at a luxury hotel chain in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as well as having pursued her studies at The American College of Greece, and completed a Master’s in Liberal Arts at Harvard Extension School

Matthew James Smith, Chief Marketing & Brand Communications Officer (CMO)

As CMO, Mr Smith is responsible for creating a distinctive branded experience and delivering the marketing communications strategy for Mercury Towers and its affiliated brands. With a background spanning two decades in the consumer lifestyle and corporate spheres, specifically in the sectors of fashion retail, hospitality, hotels and media, he has held several leadership positions in both Malta and Dubai. He served as Head of Marketing for over 20 premium-to-luxury fashion brands, and also held the position of Group Marketing Manager with a luxury hotel chain, in which he oversaw brand activity for 13 hotels, global sales offices and public relations representation.