Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/820803
48 Events maltatoday, SUNDAY, 7 MAY 2017 GO plc (GO) held its nineteenth An- nual General Meeting, during which the company's senior management team provided shareholders with a detailed review of the company's performance during 2016. The meeting also approved a dividend of €0.11 per share, amounting to a net payment of €11.1 million to share- holders. Opening the meeting, GO chair- man, Nizar Bouguila, in his first address to shareholders following Tunisie Telecom's acquisition of the majority shareholding, high- lighted three primary factors which are contributing to GO's successful trajectory. These are GO's game- changing acquisition of a majority stake in Cypriot operator Cablenet, further integration with the Group's data and ICT subsidiaries BMIT and Kinetix, and the results of the ongoing strategic investment in fi- bre, which is now available to more than 45,000 homes. These factors are providing GO with significant competitive advantages, notable new revenue streams and a more di- versified business model. The Interim Chief Executive Of- ficer, Edmond Brincat, then pro- vided shareholders with a detailed operational and financial review of the year. Brincat reviewed not only the investments in technology and infrastructure but also in human resources, TV content, and the GO brand, including the refurbish- ment of the company's retail out- lets which all contribute to a better customer experience. Brincat also shared information on the growth in customer numbers, which now exceed 533,000 connections. The financial review highlighted GO's robust performance in 2016 during which the group delivered a profit before tax of €28.1 million. This was underpinned by significant year on year increases in revenues, which grew by €33.3 million to €157.0 mil- lion, and in Group Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Am- ortisation (EBITDA), which grew by €10 million to €61.6 million, an in- crease of 19.4 per cent. "Of course, technology, customer expectations, and the competitive and regulatory environment, continue to evolve and we must remain focused if we are to continue on this positive tra- jectory. Over recent years, however, it is clear that GO's leadership team, supported by our employees, have developed a successful strategy, a strategy which I must say has been fully backed by our new majority shareholders. GO can indeed look forward with optimism. We are all part of a great company which is central to Malta's ongoing develop- ment and we are well positioned to face the future," Brincat said. No election for the board of direc- tors was required as the number of candidates matched the number of seats available. New website for Farsons Classic Brews Following the recent launch of the Farsons Clas- sic Brews range of speciality ales, a new website that showcases the beers and the history of the Farsons brewery has also been launched. The site also includes an interactive map that indi- cates the outlets which serve the iconic Blue La- bel Smooth and Creamy on draught in Malta and Gozo and features interesting beer and food pair- ing recipes. The Farsons Classic Brews range includes Blue Label Original Amber Ale, a 4.7% amber col- oured, top-fermented ale, hopped and mixed with a special type of mild malt that gives the richly coloured ale a unique, smooth and mild taste; Double Red Strong Ale, a 6.8% all malt and full bodied strong ale with a deep ruby colour and a pleasant hoppy bitterness, balanced out by a malty and fruity sweetness; and India Pale Ale (IPA), a 5.7% bitter ale brewed with high quality malt and traditional English hops. Double Red Strong Ale and Blue Label Amber Ale were awarded gold and silver medals respec- tively in the latest edition of the Brussels Beer Challenge held in November last year. Farsons Classic Brews are proudly brewed by the Farsons Brewery. Frank Salt Real Estate: "We Are Family" At any given moment, across any of its numerous branches, sales are be- ing made, contracts are being signed and deals are being done at Frank Salt Real Estate. It is fast-paced and dynamic, but at the same time, also focused and well-grounded; there's a sense of history and commit- ment that goes hand-in-hand with the Frank Salt Real Estate recipe for success. Overseeing many aspects of the way this 175-strong team works to- gether, is HR manager Rania Zouari. Rania's role is focused on ensuring that the company's core values of 'team spirit', 'recognition', 'stability', 'lifestyle' and 'rewards' are central to everything that goes on here. "As a department our goal is to promote corporate values and en- able business success through recruitment, performance man- agement and employment cycle changes," Rania explains, adding that this needs to be achieved while supporting business needs and en- suring the proper implementation of company strategy and objec- tives. "My academic background and work experience relate well to the job requirements here at Frank Salt Real Estate. This is because the role requires a person with tact and diplomacy, as well as someone who is able to liaise effectively with oth- ers. I feel that my personality and qualities fit in well, especially since I have an easy, enthusiastic, outgoing nature and can work well in a team." Part of Rania's role is to recruit the people needed by Frank Salt Real Estate to ensure the company can keep growing in the right direction. "This really is a great place to work, so it's exciting to be able to reach out to people and show them just how many benefits there are to working in real estate and, specifically, to working with Frank Salt." Great agents need to be pleasant, friendly and organised with an out- going personality and positive atti- tude. They also need to have strong communication skills, should love challenges and must have lots of confidence when meeting new peo- ple. "A person with those sort of skills can look forward to a really great career with us," Rania continued. "After all, this is a job with excel- lent working conditions and which enables you to earn as much as you want. In fact, consultants working with us, on average, sell and earn up to 60% more than consultants working with our competitors. It's also very satisfying, especially when you close a sale or a letting agree- ment." Beyond all of that, Frank Salt Real Estate is also well known for supporting its employees, both at the start of their relationship with the company and as they progress through the ranks. As a result, team members never feel like they have to go it alone, but know they are sup- ported every step of the way thanks to the company's specialised sup- port and ongoing training. "From the moment someone joins the company they are given all the help they need to succeed. Training starts immediately with two months of compulsory courses for new re- cruits, and this is then followed by consistent mentoring schemes and training programmes. It's all very hands-on which makes it fun, while the advice comes from people in- the-know who have actually expe- rienced the industry first-hand and whose input is extremely valuable. We are tremendously proud of this aspect of our approach, and believe it truly sets us apart from other real estate companies on the island," Ra- nia continued. And 'team spirit' is also a corner- stone of life at Frank Salt Real Es- tate. "With serious business comes lots of fun," Rania said. "We take a 'work hard, play hard' approach and constantly organise activities that bring the whole company together, from motivational talks to team building events. As people progress through the company there are also huge rewards to look forward to – including an all-expense paid eight- day trip abroad for the top perform- ers." Finally, Rania also stresses that this is a great time to join the indus- try as a whole, and Frank Salt Real Estate specifically. "The real estate market really is booming and de- mand in the sector easily outweighs supply. Interest and investment in Malta is more prolific than ever, so we continue to need good, dedicat- ed people to help us reach out to the ever-growing number of potential buyers, renters and investors". "Frank Salt Real Estate is expand- ing too – we are opening more of- fices around Malta within the next couple of months and are looking to recruit new team members in vari- ous parts of the organisation. There are lots of exciting opportunities available to them and we look for- ward to making them a reality," she added with a smile. GO reviews 2016 during AGM Interim Chief Executive Officer, Mr Edmond Brincat providing shareholders with a detailed operational and financial review of the year New RSM offices inaugurated Malta's leading mid-tier audit, accountancy and advisory firm – has inaugurated its new offices in Żebbuġ during an event held on Tuesday 25 April in the presence of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Finance Minister Edward Scicluna, Leader of the Opposition Simon Busuttil, Members of Parliament, cli- ents, staff and other important stakeholders. Following a substantial investment to re- locate its Malta operations to a brand new experience centre, the new RSM offices fea- ture state-of-the-art facilities for the firm's 140 employees as well as welcoming spaces for client interaction. "We are very proud of our new home. It brings together all our service lines under one roof, with better brand visibility, facili- ties and an improved environment for staff and client interaction. Our business growth requires that we continue to increase our staff complement in each of our service lines. We invest heavily in building in-house specialist competencies to provide quality, holistic services to our clients supported by knowledge and expertise available through- out the RSM global network," managing partner Maria Micallef said. RSM is an active member firm of RSM In- ternational offering a wide array of services including business and EU advisory, ac- counting, audit, corporate services, IT, tax and risk management.