Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1479650
2 NEWS 22.9.2022 LEOVEGAS Group is gearing up for its 10-year anniversa- ry conference, which will be held over three days in St Ju- lian's Bay later this week. Al- most 900 employees from of- fices across the globe will take part, celebrating the Group's success story as it embarks on a new chapter, following its acquisition by MGM Resorts International. LeoVegas Group was found- ed in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2012 and quickly opened an office in Malta to benefit from local expertise in the world's leading igaming hub. Since then, LeoVegas Group has grown rapidly, with the Malta office playing a key role in the Group's global expan- sion. Over 600 employees today call Malta home with head- count increasing, making LeoVegas Group one of the island's largest igaming em- ployers. To celebrate its 10-year an- niversary and the start of the Group's next chapter as part of Las Vegas-based MGM Resorts International, a three-day event will be held in St Julian's Bay. Almost 900 employees – from offices in Sweden, the UK, the Nether- lands, Poland, Italy and the US – will have the opportuni- ty to network, attend inspir- ing presentations, and enjoy everything Malta has to offer. The Honourable Minister for the Economy and Industry, Silvio Schembri, will open the conference and welcome the participants to Malta. Gustaf Hagman, CEO at Le- oVegas Group said "Ten years ago, there were just a couple of us in a Stockholm apart- ment, trying to go live with this new mobile-focused, on- line casino website. Today, I have more than a thousand colleagues and our mobile casino is available across the world. We have had an amaz- ing decade-long relationship with Malta, and I'm looking forward to celebrating our anniversary on the island that has been so instrumental to our success. We are commit- ted to increasing our presence in Malta, and have lots of ex- citing things in the pipeline as we start a new chapter to- gether with MGM." Stefan Nelson, CFO and newly-appointed Managing Director at LeoVegas Malta, added "I can't wait to wel- come all our colleagues to this beautiful island that I call home. The importance of Malta in LeoVegas Group's history can't be underestimat- ed, and our dedication to the Maltese igaming hub remains strong. We are about to em- bark on a global journey with MGM, and the ever-growing Malta office will play a key part in this roaring success". In May 2022, MGM Resorts International made a USD 606 million public bid on Le- oVegas. By the end of August, MGM had acquired 96 percent of the shares and the Group sub- sequently applied for a delis- ting from Nasdaq Stockholm. As part of MGM Resorts In- ternational, LeoVegas will ac- celerate its digital growth and expand its global presence. The Malta office will contin- ue to play an important role in operations and technology development, ensuring that players enjoy the greatest ig- aming experience across the Group's brands LeoVegas celebrating 10-year anniversary Simonds Farsons Cisk plc appoints new Deputy Chief Executive (Beverage Business) SIMONDS Farsons Cisk plc has an- nounced the appointment of Michael Farrugia as Deputy Chief Executive (Beverage Business) with effect from 1 September. Farrugia will work more closely with Norman Aquilina, Group Chief Execu- tive, in the overall running of the Group's Beverage Business and will continue to assume direct responsibility for Opera- tions, e Brewhouse and International Business Development. is appointment is part of the Group's strategic plans for its further growth and development. Aquilina said an intrinsic part in the success of any organisation lies in its ability to ensure it not only maintains the resources and resilience to deliver the desired results for the foreseeable future, but also way beyond. "erefore, with a view towards main- taining the Group's overall positive per- formance and ensure the continued focus on our strategic vision, a number of key decisions are needed, with Mi- chael's appointment certainly being one of them. His appointment will give the Group added focus on the beverage business and have no doubt that Mi- chael's experience and enthusiasm will serve him well, along with the Group's ambitions for further growth," he said. Speaking of his appointment, Farrugia commented, "I am naturally proud to as- sume this new role of responsibility and look forward to building on the great achievements and long legacy of the Far- sons beverage business both locally and internationally." Farrugia joined the Farsons Group in 2006 and has successfully assumed a wide range of responsibilities across the Group's business units and operations. Prior to his appointment, he served as Executive Director (Operations and Business Development) playing a leading role in numerous projects, innovations and capital investments undertaken by the Group including the regeneration of the former Farsons brewery and e Brewhouse/Trident Park project. Farrugia has been a Director of the Far- sons Group since 2011, is a Director and Chairman of Farsons Beverage Imports Company Ltd, a Trustee of the Farsons Foundation, a Director of Trident Estates plc., as well as Multigas Limited and Multigas Sales Limited. He completed his secondary and ter- tiary education in the United Kingdom and graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a Master's degree in Eu- ropean History before obtaining a Mas- ter of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Warwick. Norman Aquilina, Group Chief Executive, Simonds Farsons Cisk plc (left) with Michael Farrugia, newly-appointed Deputy Chief Executive (Beverage Business)