Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1521306
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 MAY 2024 7 COMMERCIAL Hili Ventures to hit €1 billion in revenue in 2024 HILI Ventures is expecting to achieve revenues of over €1 bil- lion in 2024 for the first time since it was incorporated just over a decade ago. This was announced as the group published its consolidated financial statements for the year ended 2023, in which it regis- tered revenues just short of the billion-euro mark at €987 mil- lion, marking an increase of 26% over 2022. Hili Ventures holds a diverse portfolio of businesses and is best known for its major pillar Premier Capital p.l.c., which is the developmental licensee for McDonald's in Malta, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania, with 185 restaurants across these markets. The group's portfolio also in- cludes 1923 Investments p.l.c., which owns iSpot Poland Sp. Z o.o., Poland's largest Apple Pre- mium Reseller business which has a network of 47 stores and service points across major Pol- ish cities. All of the group's direct oper- ating subsidiaries, including Hili Properties p.l.c. and Breakwater Investments Limited (previous- ly known as HV Marine), regis- tered growth in varying degrees, with group EBITDA reaching €125 million, compared to €99 million in 2022. Setting its sights on 2024, the group is eyeing further growth in each industry and building on previous success by expanding its network and internationalis- ing its service portfolio further. It is also awaiting planning permis- sion for its landmark Six Senses Comino Hotel, an eco-luxury destination which will be built on a smaller footprint than the current development. HV Hos- pitality Ltd, the group's hospi- tality arm, has also committed to restoring substantial areas of land around the site by planting more than 55,000 endemic trees, shrubs and plants. Monin Cup Malta Edition calls aspiring bartenders MONIN is calling all aspiring bartenders under the age of 27 to unleash their inner Mixologist and participate in the Monin Cup Mal- ta edition. The Monin Cup 2024 is a global competition celebrating talent and creativity. Participants are invited to showcase their originality and technical expertise as they com- pete for the coveted Monin trophy. In a world that embraces the No/ Low ABV Trend, Monin is invit- ing young and talented bartenders born in 1997 or later to submit an innovative cocktail with an alcohol content not exceeding 8% before dilution. Registration for the competi- tion ends on Monday 10th June 2024. Competition will be held on Thursday 27th June 2024. The winner of the Malta edition will be whisked away to Bourges in France, the heart of Monin, for the grand finale to be held in Decem- ber. The Monin Cup is more than just a competition. With expert mentorship, participants can learn from renowned bartenders and Monin collaborators who will eval- uate presentation, technique, and, of course, the taste of the creations. The competition also offers flavour exploration. Participants will im- merse themselves in a world of ex- quisite flavours curated by Monin, discovering endless possibilities in the no/low alcohol realm. The competition is an unforget- table experience as participants connect with fellow aspiring bar- tenders from around the world, share their passion, and create lasting memories filled with fun, excitement, and a touch of friendly rivalry. Monin has a rich heritage and an insatiable curiosity for flavour, hav- ing crafted a symphony of exqui- site syrups and liqueurs for over a century. Monin believes in pushing boundaries, embracing innovation, and empowering creativity. For more details, registration form etc, get in touch on monin- cup2024@farsons.com. Monin is imported, marketed and distributed by Farsons Beverage Imports Co. Ltd., a member of the Farsons Group. Purchase the range of Monin products online: www. farsonsdirect.com. WH partners opens office in Romania in alliance with Simion & Partners WH Partners announces the opening of a new office in Bu- charest, Romania. This expan- sion is the result of a strategic alliance between WH Partners and Bucharest law firm Simion & Partners. The new venture, which will carry the brand name WH Si- mion & Partners, will operate under the leadership of Cos- mina Simion and will initially house a team of 10 profession- als, including 3 partners: Cos- mina Simion, Alina Tace and Irina Corcoveanu. Cosmina Simion is one of the most re- spected regulatory, intellectual property (IP), corporate and technology lawyers in Roma- nia. WH Partners Co-Founder & Managing Partner James Scicluna commented: "The launch of WH Simion & Part- ners in Bucharest reinforces our commitment to growing our firm beyond Malta in a manner which strategically benefits our clients. Over the years we have worked hard to grow a firm that is strong- ly client focused, bringing to- gether professionals who have a like-minded approach to law and business, with deep ex- pertise in the industries which we service. Cosmina's transac- tional skills and strong experi- ence in tech, digital, media and entertainment perfectly com- plement our services." Cosmina is a seasoned reg- ulatory, IP, corporate and technology lawyer with over two decades of experience in various industries, with an emphasis on the media and entertainment, technology, online and gaming industries. She is ranked as a Global Mar- ket Leader in Chambers Glob- al, Leading Individual in the Gambling Area by Legal 500 and Recommended in the In- tellectual Property and TMT areas. Cosmina is the only law- yer acknowledged for gaming law in Romania by Who's Who Legal (WWL) and is includ- ed in the Silver Band of Top Trademark Professionals by WTR1000. Additionally, she is recognised as a Recommended lawyer by IAM Patent 1000 in the field of patents. Prior to establishing WH Si- mion & Partners, Cosmina was the managing partner and co-founder of the award-win- ning law practice Simion & Baciu. Before that she was also an intellectual property part- ner and co-head of the gam- bling, consumer, and adver- tising practices at Romania's largest and oldest law firm and prior to that she set up and headed the TMT practice in Romania of a global law firm. Cosmina gained invaluable transactional and management experience during her time in- house at a US group, a regional leader in Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slo- venia, Croatia, Moldova in the media sector. Throughout her career, she has coordinated teams of specialists in complex licensing procedures, acquisi- tions, and tenders. WH Simion & Partners will focus on a wide range of prac- tice areas, including Intel- lectual Property, Gaming & Gambling, Competition Law, Consumer Protection & Ad- vertising, Technology & Me- dia, Data Privacy and Personal Data Processing, Corporate, M&A, and Dispute Resolution. WH Partners is one Malta's leading law firms with a strong focus on assisting the business- es fuelling the digital economy. The firm has a well-established practice advising clients on fintech, gaming & gambling, corporate, M&A, tax, commer- cial, dispute resolution, immi- gration, corporate finance, intellectual property, data pro- tection, property, and employ- ment matters.