Norman Aquilina recalls ‘22 incredible years’ in final bow at Farsons AGM

Norman Aquilina recalled his “22 incredible years” at Simonds Farsons Cisk plc during the group’s 79th Annual General Meeting, the last he will address as CEO after having served 16 years in that position.

He said that the previous year did not fall short of its challenges, but likewise achievements, as the beverage business delivered a turnover of €106.5 million together with an increase of 8 per cent in profit before tax of €15.9 million.

Mr Aquilina thanked the Board and the Shareholders for the opportunity to have led the organisation through times of growth and challenge.

Simonds Farsons Cisk Chairman Louis A. Farrugia said that, following the establishment of Quinco Holdings plc. (the group’s former food division which was spun off into its own company), Mr Aquilina had been appointed as its Executive Chairman, and the Board appointed Michael Farrugia as Chief Executive Officer of Simonds Farsons Cisk plc, with effect from the 1st of July 2026.

The move to Quinco is something of a return to Mr Aquilina’s roots. He initially joined Farsons after its 2004 acquisition of Quintano Foods, where he served as Managing Director. A food importation company, Quintano Foods became a key part of Farsons’ food division, which also included Food Chain, the local franchisee for Pizza Hut and KFC.

The AGM follows what Chairman Farrugia had described as “one of the most significant and transformational periods” in the group’s recent history.

During the year, the Board implemented several important strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening the long-term positioning and focus of the group’s beverage and food interests, the group said.

Chairman Farrugia said that shareholders who have retained their holdings since the Trident Estates plc spin-off in 2018 now own interests in three distinct publicly listed companies. Whilst these companies continue to share common origins, governance principles and shareholder structures, each is now better positioned to pursue its own strategic priorities and long-term growth opportunities under dedicated Boards and management teams, he said.

At the General Meeting, Roderick Chalmers retired from the Board and the Audit & Risk Committee after 20 years of service. The Chairman described him as an invaluable member of the Board over many years and thanked him for his professionalism, sound judgement and wise counsel.

David Valenzia, ex-Senior Partner at PwC Malta, who possesses extensive knowledge of both the local and international business environments, was appointed in his stead.

During his address, the incoming CEO of the company, Michael Farrugia, said that leadership transitions are moments of both continuity and renewal, and that the company looks to innovate and invest where it has conviction, where it sees long-term value creation, and where it can leverage its strengths.

The Chairman expressed sincere gratitude to Norman Aquilina, on his last AGM of Simonds Farsons Cisk plc, and thanked him for his dedication in the role of CEO over the past sixteen years. He wished him success in his new role.

The Board declared a final dividend of €0.145 per share, payable to shareholders on the 25th of June 2026, bringing the full-year dividend to €0.21.