Stonework has been in Fredrick Mallia’s bloodline for generations. His own father passed on the traditional art of masonry, where Fredrick took his appreciation to greater lengths, by taking on what his father taught him and applying it to bring joy to others. With five years of experience on his back, Fredrick is happily embracing his new role as Site Foreman within Vassallo Builders.

The complex job Fredrick has embraced carries multiple challenges – from managing a site and serving as a support system to his team, to getting his hands dirty at the construction site, to certify all jobs have been carried out and the final product is as promised. Responsibilities start calling at 06:45am on a daily basis, where he oversees what needs to be completed on the day, assigns tasks to each team member, appoints team leaders, guiding and offering advice when his team hit rough patches.

Fredrick wears many role hats at once; having a keen eye on the extensive number of speciality trades and materials used during construction allows his team members to trust his expertise and reasoning. Shuttering, steel fixing, masonry, joinery and finishing are all professions Fredrick got exposure to through Vassallo Builders before his latest promotion, together with the operation of tower and mobile cranes. His experience reached new summits with a masonry licence and a management course to fit his role as a supervisor. The nucleus to all onsite operations lays in teamwork – trusting each tradesman with his own responsibilities to make sure everything goes as planned. With a dedicated team such as Fredrick’s, their synergy makes them a dream team.

Of Sicilian and Maltese descent, Rosario Saddemi infuses the atmosphere at The Cake Box Park Towers (St. Julian’s) with enthusiasm and positive work ethic. Frequenting customers offer him hurried salutes as they make their way to work, whilst others make pit stops at the counter for a quick chat whilst he’s brewing their hot drink.

Rosario – commonly known as Saro – was a perfect match for the position of Jr. Café Supervisor within CaterEssence, where he keeps honing on his expertise in catering and a role as an overseer, following years as a bar owner in the Sicilian locale of Comiso. Leaving his beloved Sicily behind and establishing a new home in an uncharted country brought about many hardships, but he managed to surpass them all with a strong and resolute character.

On any typical day, Saro starts his day at 06:50am with bread preparation, packaging and labelling everything with its own price. When he started off, Rosario was not too confident at the bread section, but by way of experience and a helping hand from his colleagues, he mastered the job and now takes delight in getting behind the prep process. From being responsible for food provision to, at times, the entire outlet, Saro has an eventful work schedule. His favourite shift is the morning one. Amongst checking his emails and processing invoices, he gets to meet and converse with plenty of customers. The days are busy for Rosario, so knowing how to prioritise tasks and having the back-up of a team makes the days smoother.

Saro leaves traces of connections wherever he goes. Friends and close relatives stop by The Cake Box for a quick sip, managers and former colleagues visit to extend greetings.

We’ve taken a page out of our book of Group values and transformed it into yet another event to remember. 2018’s Cultural Diversity Day boasted bigger celebrations (and more food) than its first edition held last year.

With 1,700 employees coming from all the corners of the world, diversity is a fundamental value deep-rooted in our mission. Its significance is embraced all year round, but one special day is yearly selected to loosen up, put on a show and showcase everyone’s native customs.