Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1546363
6 COMMERCIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 30 AUGUST 2026 Bank Of Valletta celebrates its people at spectacular staff summer event BANK of Valletta recently wel- comed more than 1,000 employ- ees to its annual Staff Summer Event at the stunning Verdala Palace Gardens, bringing col- leagues together for an evening that celebrated the people, ener- gy and shared values that make BOV one of Malta's leading em- ployers. With live music, delicious food, interactive photo booths and a spectacular drone light show, the evening gave teams from across the Bank the chance to relax, re- connect and enjoy time together away from the workplace. Beyond the celebration itself, the event underlined the Bank's continued focus on employee en- gagement and employer brand- ing. Creating moments where people feel valued, included and connected is an important part of building a strong workplace culture and supporting the teams who serve BOV's customers every day. Commenting on the event, Kenneth Farrugia, the Bank's CEO, said, "At Bank of Valletta, our greatest strength has always been our people. The BOV Staff Summer Event was a moment to celebrate their commitment, energy and contribution to the Bank's success. Strong organisa- tions are built on strong cultures, and we will continue investing in initiatives that help our people feel connected, proud and in- spired to give their best." Chief Operations Officer Ernest Agius added, "A positive employ- ee experience is key to delivering excellent customer experiences. Events like this bring people to- gether, strengthen relationships and remind us that, while our roles may be different, we are united by a shared purpose. They also reflect who we are as an em- ployer and why BOV continues to be a place where people can build meaningful careers." The evening featured perfor- mances by Brass House Unit, Matt Blxck and DJ Ziggy, with the drone light show providing a memorable finale above Verdala Palace Gardens. As BOV contin- ues to grow and evolve, the Bank remains committed to nurturing a workplace where people feel supported, engaged and proud to contribute to its future. Noa Ng selected for prestigious Fonteyn International Ballet competition MALTESE dancer Noa Ng has made history as the first Maltese candidate ever selected to partic- ipate in the prestigious Fonteyn International Ballet Competition in London — one of the world's most respected and demanding platforms for emerging ballet tal- ent. Organised by the Royal Acade- my of Dance, The Fonteyn repre- sents the pinnacle of achievement for young dancers globally. Candi- dates are selected based on excep- tional technical ability, artistry, and outstanding examination re- sults, placing Noa among an elite group of international performers. Noa began her ballet training at the age of two at Incite Motion, where she completed her Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) train- ing under the guidance of Chris- tiane Borg Manché, who trained her throughout her entire RAD journey and continues to coach her in all RAD work. Through years of dedication and consist- ent progression, Noa advanced through every level of the RAD vocational syllabus, building the technical and artistic foundation that ultimately led to her selection for The Fonteyn. This journey culminated in Noa achieving her RAD Advanced 2 qualification with a High Distinc- tion—a result reserved for danc- ers demonstrating exceptional technical precision, musicality and artistic expression. This outstanding achievement reflects Noa's dedication, perse- verance and passion and marks a proud and historic moment for Maltese dance. Earlier in her training, Noa had already demonstrated exception- al promise by qualifying for the Phyllis Bedells Bursary—a pres- tigious stepping stone within the RAD progression pathway. This requires dancers to achieve a dis- tinction in their Advanced 1 ex- amination before the age of 17, a milestone Noa surpassed with a High Distinction at just 14 years old. During the competition she was further recognised by receiv- ing the Dancer's Own Choreog- raphy Award for a piece she both choreographed and performed, showcasing not only her perfor- mance ability but also her creativ- ity and choreographic talent. Noa made the decision to move to London alone at the age of 16 to pursue her professional train- ing at Central School of Ballet. Over these past two years, she has demonstrated consistent ex- cellence across both practical and academic studies, working hard to grow as a dancer. While train- ing full time in London, Noa also achieved her A level in Mathe- matics. Noa has received strong encour- agement from tutors and industry professionals, who have identified a distinctive movement quality, compelling stage presence, dy- namic physicality and work ethic in her dancing. Now 18, Noa is en- tering her final year of profession- al training at the Central School of Ballet in London, where she will begin the BA Top-Up after com- pleting her foundation degree. In addition to her achievements within the RAD framework, she has received multiple awards and scholarships through her training at Incite Motion, Living Dance, the national televised competi- tion- Brillanti, and internation- al competitions such as Global Dance Open Finals. Speaking about The Fonteyn Noa Ng said: "Being selected for The Fonteyns is an incredible honour and motivates me even more as I prepare to enter the pro- fessional world." Her final year at Central School of Ballet will include advanced training, touring across England with Ballet Central, and collabora- tions with established choreogra- phers, representing the final stage of her preparation before entering the professional dance industry Noa aspires to join a professional ballet company, with a particular focus on neoclassical and classical repertoire, drawing inspiration from choreographers such as Wil- liam Forsythe and David Dawson. Noa's artistic development has been made possible through the support of the Malta Arts Schol- arship Scheme, the BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation and the gen- erous patronage of the Janatha Stubbs Foundation. The Dance Studio Malta has also supported her by providing her with dance- wear and pointe shoes while train- ing in London. As Malta's first dancer to be se- lected for The Fonteyn Interna- tional Ballet Competition, Noa's achievement represents a land- mark moment for Maltese ballet and an inspiration for future gen- erations of young dancers aspiring to perform on the international stage.