On Wednesday, 8th October, the Malta Foundation for Human Resource Development (FHRD) hosted its Annual HR Conference at the Hilton Conference Centre, welcoming over 600 HR professionals for a full day of insights, discussions, and networking.

This year’s theme, “HR Ignite: Elevate Your People,” set the stage for a transformative experience. In his opening address, FHRD President Noel Debono highlighted the foundation’s ongoing commitment to advancing the HR profession in Malta. He placed particular emphasis on the Professional Membership Scheme—the local certification designed to strengthen professional standards in HR; the continued growth of the HR Quality Mark, a national recognition for excellence in HR practices; and the expansion of Accredited Programmes, tailored to meet the evolving demands of today’s workplace. Mr. Debono encouraged HR professionals to embrace a shift from process-driven to people-powered HR, from compliance to connection, and from support to strategy—a timely call for change in an era where disengagement is on the rise.

World-Class Speakers & Workshops

The conference featured a stellar lineup of international and local thought leaders, including keynote speakers:

• Stephanie Cohen, Generative AI Consultant & Learning Specialist
• Dr. Suzanne C. de Janasz, Executive Education Consultant & Affiliate Professor at London Business School
• Alex Falzon, Leadership, Sales & Mindset Coach

Delegates also had the chance to take part in pre-selected interactive workshops led by both local and international HR professionals. In the late morning sessions, participants could attend one of three workshops:

• Nurit Hattab, internationally recognised DEI expert, led “Empowering People: Employee-Led D&I Strategies for a Truly Inclusive Workplace.”
• Tara Alvarez Garcia, Leadership Coach and Founder of TYS Coaching, delivered “Lead with Impact: Inspiring & Engaging Teams for Success.”
• Margret Barzachka-Nikolova, Senior Director of Human Resources at Teva, Bulgaria, presented “Building a Legacy: Succession Planning & Retaining High-Potential Talent.”

In the afternoon sessions, delegates had the opportunity to select two out of six workshops:

• Cosmina Coman, Founder of Learning Pro and specialist in Employee Advocacy, delivered “Fueling Advocacy: Employee Activation During Organisational Change.”
• Dragan Donkov, Progress Partner for Leaders & Teams at Carob Consult, explored “HR as the Architect of a Well-being-First Culture: Building Organisational Health Through Social Capital.”
• Yasmin De Giorgio, CEO at Shireburn Software and Founder of Sanya Eco Spa, presented “Humans, Not Resources: Reclaiming Humanity in Workplace Culture.”
• Alex Galea, CEO at Mdina Partners, led “From Managers to People Champions: Making Line Leaders the First HR Contact.”
• John Mallia, Managing Director at MediaCoop Ltd, shared insights in “Energise Employee Engagement through Personalised Career Development.”
• Jonathan Camilleri, Head of HR at KonnektTalexio, delivered “Elevating Decisions – Leveraging Data for a Thriving Workforce.”

Recognising HR Excellence

FHRD also presented the HR Quality Mark Certificates to 15 organisations that successfully completed the 8th intake, celebrating HR professionalism and contribution across sectors. The Malta Digital Innovation Authority received the special award for achieving the highest overall score.

 

Dynamic Discussions & Engagement

A highlight of the morning was the panel discussion, “Leading the Charge: Transformative HR Practices to Elevate and Empower Your People,” moderated by Fabianne Ruggier. Panellists included leaders from FHRD, Corinthia Group, the National Skills Council, MFSA, Boyden Malta, and Premier Capital.

This year’s energizer, themed “Shine a Light”, transformed the hall into a dazzling spectacle – hundreds of handheld lights danced in perfect harmony with the music, turning a crowd of individuals into one electrifying, unified force. It was a moment of pure magic, where energy met artistry and every beam told a story of connection.

Exhibition & Networking

Alongside the sessions, the conference featured an exhibition area with 27 exhibitors showcasing the latest HR technologies, solutions, and services, offering participants valuable opportunities to connect directly with providers.

Thanks to the Partners

The event was made possible through the support of conference partners: APS Bank, Boyden, Employment 360 by Fenech & Fenech Advocates, Hilton Malta, MAPFRE, PwC Malta, Shireburn Software Ltd, StudioSeven, TeamBuilding Malta, Times of Malta, and Vivendo.

The FHRD Annual HR Conference 2025 was a resounding success—bringing together HR professionals, thought leaders, and solution providers to ignite new ways of thinking and elevate people at the heart of organisations.