Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1003259
17 COMMERCIAL maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 11 JULY 2018 Malta Bankers' Association acknowledges retiring Secretary General James Bonello THE Malta Bankers' Associa- tion recently hosted farewell drinks for its long-standing Secretary General, James Bonello, who retired after a distinguished career in bank- ing and fourteen years of ser- vice to the MBA. The recep- tion was held at the Caprice Gardens and Lounge at the Corinthia Palace Hotel in At- tard and was attended by sen- ior representatives of the Mal- tese banking community and of the supervisory authorities. Whilst expressing thanks and appreciation to Bonello for his years of service, MBA Chairman, Marcel Cassar said that "today we are also celebrating a long and distin- guished career in banking and financial services that goes back over half a century." Cassar referred to the fact that James's tenure of office coincided with the Associa- tion becoming a full member of the European Banking Fed- eration upon Malta joining the EU, marking the start of a very interesting and enriching experience for the MBA reap- ing the benefits of the inter- national network, resources and overall 'platform' that the Federation provides. It also became an intensely demand- ing time for the Association, throughout which James was running the MBA with the same vigour, sharpness and motivation as ever. Bonello joined Barclays Bank in 1965 and his career pro- gressed rapidly, eventually with Mid-Med Bank leading to a series of senior second- ments, first in 1988 to the Mal- ta Development Corporation and then to the newly-created Malta International Business Authority – MIBA – which over time evolved into today's MFSA, where he served as Chief Executive Officer. He was called back to Mid-Med Bank in 1994 to run its newly created international bank- ing subsidiary Mid-Med Bank Overseas. With the takeover of HSBC in 1999, Bonello be- came Head of Commercial Banking and in 2002 the first Maltese Executive Director on the bank's board. In 2004, he joined the Association as Secretary General where he served until May 2018, in the process also sitting on the Executive Committee of the EBF and on the boards of the Depositor Compensation Scheme, the Investor Com- pensation Scheme, the Forum for Financial Stability and Fi- nanceMalta, amongst others. Those present for the event included Central Bank of Malta Deputy Governors Al- exander Demarco and Oli- ver Bonello, former MFSA Chairman Prof. Joe V. Ban- nister, Depositor Compensa- tion Scheme Chairman Robert Caruana, various bank CEOs and senior executives and MBA Board members, includ- ing Vice Chairman Andrew C. T. Beane and former Chair- man Mario Mallia. From left Andrew Bean, Henry Schmeltzer and James Bonello LifeCycle Challenge presents its brand new 2018 kit to Foster Clark Farsons Group industry partner at MCAST EXPO DURING Sunday's early morning training session, a group of 20 Life- Cycle Challenge cyclists accompa- nied by the back up team staff, pre- sented their 2018 kit to Foster Clark's Head of HR Steve Vella. Foster Clark is the title spon- sor of Foster Clark LifeCycle Chal- lenge 2018 for the second consecutive year. Alan Curry, founder of LifeCy- cle (Malta) Foun- dation thanked Foster Clark for their support. He said: "Work- ing alongside with Foster Clark, an established Mal- tese brand with a strong foothold in the Gulf, among other regions, has helped us in or- ganising this year's LifeCycle Chal- lenge. This year's Challenge participants will be cycling from Dubai to Salalah in Southern Oman." LifeCycle (Malta) Foundation is celebrating its 20th anniver- sary since it was founded. Every year, LifeCycle holds a gruelling cycling challenge, each time in different countries to gener- ate the necessary funding for LifeCycle Foundation's mis- sion, that is to raise money for life saving equipment to help persons suffering from kidney failure and to raise awareness about organ transplants in Mal- ta. "We are proud to be of as- sistance to LifeCycle Challenge," Vella said. "The team's great en- deavours and efforts to raise money to sup- port kidney disease patients is simply ad- mirable." Foster Clark is a sto- ry of a dream, which started in 1967, by Paul Busuttil who had the will to seek out a new business venture, which has become a global brand of choice. Foster Clark's prod- ucts are now availiable in more than 80 coun- tries, and enjoyed by an ever-increasing number of consumers across the world. For more informa- tion about LifeCycle Foundation and the LifeCycle Challenge 2018 visit www.lifecy- clechallenge.com One can donate on- line or by sending an SMS to 5061 7370 to give €2.33, 5061 8920 to give €6.99 or 5061 9229 to donate €11.65. You may also donate by calling 5160 2020 to give €10, 5170 2005 to give €15 or 5180 2006 to donate €25. Bank details are Swift code VALLMTMT, IBAN number MT 18 VALL 22013000000014814521017, Bank name: Bank of Valletta, Account number 14814521017. LifeCycle Founder Alan Curry presenting the new LifeCycle Challenge 2018 kit to Foster Clark's Head of HR Steve Vella FARSONS Group has partici- pated in the MCAST EXPO held at the Paola Main Campus between Wednesday 4 July and Saturday 7 July as Industrial Partners. Prospective students as well as members of the public had the opportunity to meet staff and apprentices engaged with Farsons and to learn more about the Group, its vision, projects and the opportunity for growth and rewarding ca- reers in the industry. Students discussed career opportunities whilst apprentices at Farsons shared their experiences of fol- lowing MCAST courses and their learning experiences on the job. "Farsons believes in the im- portance and role of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in the development of students while understanding the im- portant role that the industry plays in supporting students in their career paths. Farsons Group collaborates closely with MCAST as well as various educational institutions and is actively involved in sponsoring apprenticeships, internships and career exposure experi- ences," said Mariella Galea, Learning & Development and Performance Manager. Students visiting the stand were encouraged to pursue careers within the manufac- turing sector, reiterating the company's longstanding com- mitment to VET in Malta and its continuous support to MCAST. The Group is proud to continue the ongoing col- laboration with MCAST while looking forward to continuing to support the development of students in their learning journey.