‘The secret to success is being flexible, open-minded and agile’ – Jean Pierre Schembri, CPHCL CEO

CPHCL was established in 1966 as a holding company for the Corinthia group. Over the years, it has burgeoned to absorb other businesses in its diversified portfolio across the property, services and hospitality industries. This year, the firm’s CEO, Jean Pierre Schembri, is steering it towards further expansion, both locally and abroad.

“The secret to success is being flexible, open-minded and agile – and, over the next few years, we’ll be committed to this approach,” says Jean Pierre Schembri, CEO of CPHCL Company Ltd, a firm with stakes in numerous hospitality, property and services businesses on the island and further afield. Originally incorporated in 1966 as a holding company for the Corinthia Group, today CPHCL holds a 58 per cent stake in International Hotel Investments (IHI, the company that owns the Corinthia brand), 50 per cent in Mediterranean Investments Holding (MIH) and 65 per cent in Danish Bakery. Over the years, it has also acquired full ownership of Swan Laundry, Quality Talent Ltd (RQT) and the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre (MFCC), as well as properties in Malta, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Budapest, Libya, and Tunis.

“This year, our primary focus will be on continuing the growth of our businesses, expanding our industrial ventures, optimising the use of our hotels and property portfolio both locally and internationally, and branching into new sectors. Essentially, we’re focused on diversifying – from a geographical, production and industry perspective – to create new revenue streams for the firm,” he says. To this end, CPHCL has specific investment plans for each stream, aiming “to have expanded across various sectors by the end of 2025.”

For example, on the industrial side, Danish Bakery will develop a new factory, with work set to commence this year. “We’ve already set a tendering process in motion, and we have big plans for this new plant. Our goal is to become the leading bakery in Malta, export our product and boost the business’s profile,” he explains.

Similarly, Swan Laundry will be overhauled with new machines that prioritise environmental and economic sustainability. “We’ve established our business and investment plan for Swan. While it covers the next two years, the full implementation of our vision will span five years. Change is a natural process, and success depends on adapting swiftly to market shifts,” he adds.

Furthermore, the firm is committed to “maintaining our investment in IHI and MIH, through which we expect a steady stream of dividends.” It will also expand its real estate development business. “CPHCL has always been associated with property, and is known for high-end offerings. Going forward, we will focus on a select number of buildings, primarily villas, quality apartments and farmhouses – to manage and renovate them. In doing so, we will leverage our expertise in quality real estate and project management to deliver distinctive accommodation.”

From an international perspective, the firm plans to boost its investments in Libya, broadening its global outreach. “CPHCL owns hotels in Budapest and Tunis, as well as various properties in the Czech Republic and Libya. Historically, the company has always had close ties to Libya – we had a substantial catering business there. We still firmly believe in its potential and are always on the lookout for new business opportunities. We aim to establish local and global partnerships with others ready to expand into the territory. This is an avenue we’ll continue to explore in 2025 and beyond. Of course, there are always business risks when operating in certain regions, but we have substantial on-the-ground experience, which is a definite asset to potential partners seeking new ventures,” he says.

Jean Pierre’s broad perspective is no surprise: the CEO holds a postgraduate degree from the College of Europe in Bruges and started his career in diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, serving at Malta’s Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels. “I was Chef de Cabinet for a number of years, and one of my main achievements was playing a crucial role in attracting the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) to Malta,” he explains. Following the agency’s establishment here, he also served as the Head of Unit for Communications and Stakeholder Relations. “I expected to continue as an EU official, but sometimes life takes unexpected turns. I met our Chairman, Alfred Pisani, who left a deep and positive impression on me. Seven years ago, he offered me a position as Company Secretary, and I’ve never looked back,” he recalls.

His passion for the role has not waned despite the market undergoing upheaval due to political, social and health factors. “The broad nature of the business makes it susceptible to international shifts, and we’ve been impacted by certain developments. Although our head office and core business are in Malta, we’re a highly international company, so the stability here is not necessarily mirrored globally. Post-COVID, for instance, costs have increased significantly, and these cannot simply all be passed on to the client. Supply chains have also been disrupted, and customer expectations have grown. However, we’re adaptable, and have managed to delve into our cost structures to maximise our efficiencies.”

Indeed, this adaptability also underpinned efforts in 2024, when CPHCL’s team established structures to drive growth over the next five years, Jean Pierre says. “The board decided that the firm needs to thrive on its own steam, rather than simply act as an investment holding company. So, we needed the right business architecture and a concrete development plan,” the CEO explains.

This groundwork and, indeed, the company culture at CPHCL are underpinned by a common set of values across all its businesses, Jean Pierre asserts. “We distinguish ourselves through our commitment to uplifting lives – regardless of the activity we’ve invested in. This is the spirit of Corinthia, upon which CPHCL was founded by our Chairman, Mr Pisani. It means we have a duty to help others and to create jobs – just as our predecessors created ours – to remain positive in the face of adversity, and to have the courage and freedom to dream big. This is our daily mantra,” he says with a smile.

Jean Pierre works by these principles, and his day-to-day reflects his commitment to the firm as he juggles its many imperatives. “I wake up at 5am and spend the first hour doing physical exercise while planning the day ahead. I usually have my meetings in the mornings with the CEOs of the individual businesses. My afternoons are spent responding to emails, although I tend to leave the most challenging ones until the evening when there are fewer distractions,” he admits.

The team at CPHCL is one of his key motivators, Jean Pierre says, explaining that it lies at the heart of the firm’s success. “I love being part of this family. I strongly believe our principles allow us to maximise our potential, creating a vibrant working environment. This is one of the aspects of my role I enjoy the most – the opportunity to influence positive outcomes,” he says.   

This article is part of the serialisation of 50 interviews featured in Malta CEOs 2025 – the sister brand to MaltaCEOs.mt and an annual high-end publication bringing together some of the country’s most influential business leaders