Former public service chief Mario Cutajar has been appointed chairman of the national heritage agency – Heritage Malta.

Cutajar resigned from the role of Principal Permanent Secretary last month.

In a statement, the Ministry for National Heritage, Arts and Local Government said Cutajar has served as the Executive Director on Heritage Malta’s board for the past few years and was involved in several of the agency’s initiatives.

These included transferring responsibility for important sites like Villa Gwardangia, the Valletta underground, Villa Frere and the Main Guard to Heritage Malta.

During the same period, the law on national heritage was updated, while Heritage Malta drafted a new vision and modernised many of its museums.

Cutajar was also involved in setting up a unit responsible for underwater heritage.

Minister Owen Bonnici also announced that a new board has been appointed, adding that Heritage Malta is embarking on a new chapter.