Kurt Farrugia Appointed Residenza Malta CEO
‘After two intense and rewarding years as CEO of Transport Malta, the time has come for me to turn a page and embrace a new challenge’, wrote Kurt Farrugia on social media.
‘The past months have been particularly demanding’, he continued.
‘Alongside my responsibilities at Transport Malta, I was asked by the Prime Minister to once again be part of a small team entrusted with preparing for a general election. Taking leave from my role in the final weeks of the campaign, I had the privilege of working closely with my friend Mark Mallia and many others towards what became a historic fourth consecutive victory for the Labour Party.’
Reflecting on his 18 years in politics, many of them spent in communications, Farrugia said he had chosen to remain silent amid recent speculation surrounding his future.
He said not every headline deserved a response and that allowing events to unfold often provided greater clarity.
He added that he had no intention of contributing to speculation or misinformation, saying the facts now spoke for themselves.
Looking back on his tenure at Transport Malta, Farrugia said he was leaving with a profound sense of pride. Among the authority's key achievements, he highlighted the launch of the Malta in Motion strategy and the presentation of a credible pathway towards mass rapid transit.
He also pointed to the introduction of new ferry connections, the modernisation of traffic management systems, Malta's successful election to the International Maritime Organization, and record growth in both the Maltese ship and aircraft registers.
Farrugia also praised the transformation of the authority's internal operations, saying Transport Malta had moved from an organisation criticised for governance shortcomings to one recognised by the National Audit Office for best practice in procurement, while also receiving a Public Service Award for Best Practice in Good Governance.
He thanked the authority's employees, describing them as its greatest asset and expressing confidence that the projects launched during his tenure would continue to progress.
He wished incoming CEO Leonid McKay every success, describing him as the ideal person to lead the authority into its next chapter.
Farrugia also announced that he had accepted the role of CEO of Residenza Malta, saying the position offered an exciting opportunity to help attract talent, diversify Malta's portfolio and bring investment that would contribute to the country's future growth.
He said Minister Byron Camilleri's vision for the agency convinced him that this was where he could make his greatest contribution in the years ahead.
Describing the appointment as bittersweet, Farrugia said he would be following in the footsteps of his late friend Jonathan Cardona, whose passion and commitment helped shape the programme.
He expressed his hope of building on the strong foundations Cardona had left behind, while thanking the Prime Minister, Minister Byron Camilleri and his colleagues at Transport Malta for their trust, support and friendship.
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