In view of the expiry of Rick Hunkin’s contract as CEO of Bank of Valletta in November this year, the bank’s Board of Directors has identified Kenneth Farrugia as the successor to the role. This followed an extensive process which has utilised national and international channels in order to identify the executive with the best possible fit to the requirements of the role at this stage.
In his capacity as CEO, Mr Farrugia will also sit on the Bank’s Board of Directors as an Executive Director. The appointment of Farrugia will become effective upon receipt of regulatory approval.
Farrugia has vast experience in the banking and financial sectors. He joined Bank of Valletta in October 1985, and over the past 37 years has occupied various senior positions across the banking group. He currently holds the post of Chief Retail Banking Officer. Farrugia, a Harvard Business School Alumni, is responsible for the Bank's personal and micro-business customer segments, and the corresponding suite of retail banking products as well as the respective service channels.
Dr Gordon Cordina, BOV Chairman stated, “The Board expresses its confidence in Kenneth in selecting him to this demanding role. It is ready to support him to fulfil his mandate, for Bank of Valletta to meet and exceed the expectations of its shareholders, customers, employees and other stakeholders. The Board is also expressing its gratitude to Mr Hunkin for his service over the past three years, especially for the governance and transformation improvements achieved in extraordinarily difficult circumstances. It wishes all the best to him and his family.”
Chief Executive Officer Hunkin commented, “I am delighted for Kenneth and wish him all the very best as he takes BOV forward. I will ensure my full support as we go through a handover period.”
Commenting on this appointment, Farrugia stated, “I feel privileged and excited to have been entrusted with this post and very much looking forward to work alongside the board of directors, and the executive management team to sustain the implementation of various initiatives underpinning the Bank’s regulatory, commercial, and operational priorities taken forward by my predecessor Rick Hunkin. I am confident that together with our highly valued human resources, we will also be able to launch new growth driven initiatives across the Bank’s personal and business customer segments aiming to deliver on the expectations of all our stakeholders.”