Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi paid an official visit last week to the central offices of English language group EC to open the brand new premises, and to congratulate the Maltese organisation for its continued local and international success.
Executive chairman Andrew Mangion, CEO Michael Xuereb and the team responsible for maintaining and developing the award-winning organisation’s central functions received Dr Gonzi at EC Central. In an official opening ceremony, the Prime Minister unveiled a plaque and spoke of his pride in the home-grown Maltese success story. “EC is much more than a Maltese company,” Dr Gonzi said. “It is an ambassador of our country, of our people and of our entrepreneurial flair.”
With 15 schools in five countries, and as winner of the language travel industry’s most prestigious award last year, STM Star Chain School, EC has made a name for itself all over the world. The impressive new offices in St Julian’s reflect the company’s exponential growth and its commitment to keeping its central function firmly rooted in Malta.
The Prime Minister said, “Today we are celebrating the achievements of a Maltese company that has evolved into a global success story.” He spoke of his “immense satisfaction and pride that extends beyond the opening of these new offices”. Recalling his previous official opening of EC New York in Times Square in 2009, he said he “cannot believe how strong and proud” he feels as Prime Minister “witnessing such a strong show of Malta’s potential”.
“As a company, you fly the Maltese flag high, transmitting our hospitable nature and our commitment to high standards,” he said. “We are celebrating today yet another major step towards our collective vision and belief – that of becoming a centre of excellence in education… Your success is our success.”
Dr Gonzi referred to EC’s “strong sense of entrepreneurial spirit” that has produced “achievements to make us all proud”. He congratulated the organisation on its “ability to not only compete but to succeed on a global scale.”
“Propelled by Mr Andrew Mangion’s vision, determination and belief,” he said, “EC embarked on an ambitious internationalisation programme 10 years ago. Since then, it has never looked back.”
He thanked the organisation for its “continuous faith and confidence in Malta”, and its “contribution to Malta’s growth as a leading destination for English language teaching”. He particularly admired the company’s “creativity and dynamism” and willingness to “adventure into new source markets” to bring visitors to Malta’s shores from all corners of the globe.
Mr Mangion, said, “It is an honour to welcome our Prime Minister, and for him to open our new space and commend us on the work we do.
“We are all extremely proud of EC’s success as an international yet home-grown brand. As a team, we put our hearts into what we do. I personally love coming to work, and I believe it is the strong core values that we all share here that have allowed us to achieve our purpose of ‘helping students succeed in a global community’. Our people go the extra mile, and have a can-do mindset. They deliver what they promise. And above all, they love what they do.
“We are delighted to have acquired a bright, modern base in our beautiful home country, from where we will continue to grow and prosper. I would like to thank the Prime Minister for taking the time to visit us and to meet our team.”
EC Central outgrew its former offices in Ta’ Xbiex, and upgraded to a brand new home in St Julian’s in February. The size and location of the new headquarters cater to the constantly expanding EC family, which at peak season now includes around 100 staff. In addition to most of the company’s executive function, departments including sales, marketing, e-Business, admissions, finance, IT, Web development and human resources are also based in Malta.
The building of St Julian’s Business Centre was project managed by B&B Property Development’s director Adrian Balzan. The premises are comprised of three floors, conveniently located just steps away from the EC Malta school.