Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/782193
49 Events maltatoday, SUNDAY, 5 FEBRUARY 2017 JAYE memorandum for youth teams' programme Junior Achievement Young Enterprise Malta Foundation (JAYE Malta), a regis- tered voluntary organisation, TradeMalta and Malta Enterprise have signed a mem- orandum of understanding (MoU) that will facilitate the participation of youth teams participating in the JAYE Malta Sixth Form Company Programme and University level Start Up Programme to attend European Trade Fairs and Exhibi- tions. Through the MoU TradeMalta and Malta Enterprise have agreed to cover up to 50% of the participation and travel costs to attend and partake in an event whereby JAYE Malta participants may exhibit their products and services developed during their participation in the respective JAYE Malta Company Programme and Start Up Programme. Trade Malta CEO said "We are very ex- cited to be supporting JAYE Malta and more importantly the Country's future entrepreneurs. The scope behind our as- sistance is to give youths in Malta an op- portunity to pitch their business ideas at an international event and to get expo- sure in a more competitive environment. Through this support our youths will also be aware of the existence of institutions like TradeMalta and Malta Enterprise who have at their disposal a suite of tools that they can benefit from in the future once they start their own businesses or join the labour market. On signing the MoU, Julian Azzopardi, JAYE Malta CEO said: "It is a great sign of collaboration between these organisa- tions working towards the development of youth start ups in Malta. The signifi- cance of this agreement is all the more im- portant given the strong drive to nurture entrepreneurship in Malta amongst youth and offers participants the opportunity to enhance their business skills by engaging with potential customers and investors on a European and global level. We thank Trade Malta and Malta Enterprise for un- derstanding the importance and relevance of the work undertaken by JAYE Malta through this MoU." RSM Malta calls for votes to support local champions 11 companies from Malta will compete for the title of 'National Public Cham- pion' in this year's European Business Awards, sponsored by RSM, as the pub- lic vote is now open. The companies have posted a video online at www.businessawardseurope. com telling the unique story of their business success. They will now com- pete against each other and the com- pany with the most votes will be named 'National Public Champion' for Malta on 6 March 2017, giving each company just over seven weeks to get as many votes as possible. The European Business Awards was set up to support the development of a stronger and more successful business community throughout Europe. This year it engaged with more than 33,000 businesses at entry stage. Lead spon- sor RSM, a provider of audit, tax and consulting services to middle market businesses globally, has supported the European Business Awards since its in- ception. Last year the public vote gener- ated over 227,000 votes from across the globe. Maria Micallef, Managing Partner said: "It is great to see so many fantastic companies from Malta at this stage in the competition. It is hugely important that we support our local businesses and we urge everyone to take the time to cast their vote. RSM Malta will con- tinue to work hard to become the natu- ral provider of choice for those small and medium enterprises with an ambi- tion to grow locally and internationally. Our highly skilled team will help these companies move forward with confi- dence." The Maltese companies participat- ing in the European Business Awards include: CloudLabs Ltd, Exigy Ltd, AquaBioTech Group, Business Leaders (Malta) Ltd, CasaSoft Ltd, WasteServ Malta Limited AirX, HalMann Vella Group p.l.c., NetRefer, OzoGroup of Companies, and STM MALTA TRUST & COPMANY MANAGEMENT LIM- ITED. Jean Stephens, CEO of RSM, the sixth largest network of independent audit, tax and consulting firms, with a pres- ence in 43 European countries said: "The videos provide a fascinating in- sight into some of Europe's most inspir- ing businesses and the story of their success. This is a showcase of European business excellence and a testament that no matter how large or small, old or new, companies who have a true un- derstanding of their financial and busi- ness landscape can thrive in all areas. Good luck to everyone in this round of the competition." Immediately after the National Public Champions are announced, a second and final public vote will begin as the final companies compete against each other to decide one overall European Public Champion. Separately, the Awards' independent judges will review the videos and se- lect 110 category finalists who will then go on to the Gala Final in May 2017 where the final winners, as well as the European Public Champion, will be an- nounced. Further information about the Na- tional Champions and the Awards can be found at : www.businessawardseurope.com and www.rsm.global HotelsCombined recognise Solana Hotel & Spa amongst the best hotels in Malta More senior executive appointments at Vassallo Group HOTELSCOMBINED, the Australian based hotel meta-search company, has started an extensive survey covering different types of accommoda- tions within Malta. This survey is based on gath- ering data from millions of guest reviews, and translating them to an official Recognition of Excellence. The HotelsCombined Recognition of Excel- lence is not a ranking list but a group of outstand- ing accommodations chosen based on a strict set of criteria. In order to be considered, properties must meet the following criteria: • At the time of judging, a winner is rated 8.0/10 or over with a minimum of 75 customer reviews certified by HotelsCombined. • We couldn't detect any major customer ser- vice problems, nor recurring or unresolved is- sues. Moreover, HotelsCombined is taking in great consideration the way the hotel staff answered the Hotels communication team, demonstrating their commitment in providing quick assistance. The Solana Hotel & Spa boasts a high satisfac- tion rating among guests and travel industry ex- perts, receiving 1595 reviews for an impressive rating of 8.0 out of 10. "We are thrilled to be working with the best hotels in Malta and Solana Hotel is certainly among them" Alberto Castellucchio said, market manager of HotelsCombined Malta "What is dif- ferent about the Recognition of Excellence is the way information is gathered and analysed: it all depends on the guest and his or her experience with that particular accommodation." "With HotelsCombined 30 million people are finding the best deal available on-line every month. With this award, we'd like to make it even easier for every traveller to identify the best hotel for customer service and therefore the best value for their money". For more details, visit: www.hotelscombined.com Vassallo Group of Companies has just announced more appointments at senior executive level as part of Vassallo Group's vision and strategy for 2020. James Sciriha has been appointed Caremalta's Director of Finance. He previously held the position of Financial Controller at the same company. James holds a Bachelor in Commerce and Accountancy from the University of Malta. He is a Certified Public Account- ant under The Accountancy Board and is also a full member of the Malta Insti- tute of Accountants. He also holds a Di- ploma in Fund Administration from the University of Manchester after having completed the course in 2010. He won prestigious awards such as the Institute of Financial Services overall excellent student in 2010 and the John Earland Prize Fund award 2010 supported by the Central Bank of Malta. James joined CareMalta Group as a Group Financial Controller in 2010. During his six years, James was involved in many projects that CareMalta under- took, mainly the winning of Zammit Clapp tender, the opening of the first Rehabilitation Centre in Malta, LiveLife, the opening of Casa San Paolo and the extensions at Casa Arkati, Zejtun Home, Mellieha Home and Zammit Clapp. Ms Jackie Cordina, who until now occupied the position of Property Ad- ministrator at the chairman's office has been appointed Executive Director of the group's property companies. Jackie holds over 15 years' experience working with senior management and board of directors of government en- titiesincluding the Malta Information Technology Authority, Enemalta Corpo- ration, and the Malta Council for Science and Technology. She used to manage the Chairmen's office of these entities and also acted as a project co-ordinator on a number of major initiatives including the work of the National Pensions Reform Working Group, the National Council for Science and Technology and acted as executive secretary on a number of com- mittees. Janet Silvio, previously Business De- velopment Manager at Caremalta has been appointed Executive Director of HILA Homes, the newest subsidiary company within the Vassallo Group specializing in the care for persons with disability. Janet graduated in Accounting and Management after having successfully completed her studies with the Malta Institute of Accountants. Commenting on the new appoint- ments Vassallo Group chairman Naz- zareno Vassallo said that "these latest appointments at top management level will further strengthen the Group's management structure which will undoubtedly further consolidate the group's position as leader in the areas in which it operates. It will also help it achieve the ambitious targets it has set for itself for 2020 and beyond". L-R Anton Buttigieg, CEO TradeMalta; Julian Azzopardi, CEO JAYE Malta; Marika Tonna, COO Malta Enterprise; David Pace, Chairperson JAYE Malta; Mark Pizzuto, Manager - Trade Promotion TradeMalta