Leading the Charge: Transformative HR Practices to Elevate and Empower Your People

Fabianne Ruggier is a seasoned business strategist and organisational advisor who empowers growth by delivering fractional services, leading specific projects, and serving as a Board Advisor. She leverages her expertise as a Neuro-Linguistic Programme Practitioner to coach-consult and facilitate transformative change, both in corporate settings and one-on-one engagements. 

Fabianne’s career spans management consulting across business strategy, organisational design, operations management, and talent management. She supported business leaders in planning and executing growth initiatives. Fabianne successfully led an advisory practice in a mid-tier firm that forms part of a global network, and built high-performing HR functions during major expansion phases. Prior to that she introduced Microsoft’s education strategy in Malta and worked for many years in the public sector collaborating with industry stakeholders to shape and implement national strategies in digital literacy and ICT human capital.

Beyond the professional persona, Fabianne is a joyful human being who thrives in the warmth – of the sun, of connections, of possibilities. She dives, loves live music and is an avid lifelong learner. 

Claudine Attard is a Director within PwC’s Advisory Practice with over 20 years of consultancy experience relating to workforce matters. She started her career working as a consultant with the Management Efficiency Unit – the Government’s in-house management consultancy organisation within the Office of the Prime Minister. During this period, Claudine worked on numerous human resource-related assignments, including organisational reviews and restructuring exercises of Government departments and entities, training needs analysis, and the development of a family-friendly measures framework across the public sector. 

Since joining PwC, she has advised clients in different sectors and areas, such as workforce strategy, organisational design, change management, talent management and performance improvement, amongst others. Between 2016 and 2018, she worked within PwC UK where she was an organisation design and change management subject matter expert. Claudine holds a Master of Science in Organisational Change and Development from the University of Manchester and a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) in Management from the University of Malta. 

She has been an FHRD board member since 2015. She also leads the annual joint PwC-FHRD HR Pulse Survey. 

Christina began her career in Human Resources within the hospitality industry and held the role of Group Director of Human Resources for Island Hotels Group for ten years after which she chose to put her people skills to a different use and shifted her career to CEO for Costa Coffee Malta.

In her capacity as CEO she lead the growth of the business to 15 stores across the island. During her leadership, Costa Coffee Malta achieved various rewards and recognition for business innovation, leadership, philanthropic support towards the Costa Foundation and the Inclusivity Award during the first Malta Business Awards event.

Christina recently returned to her passion in human resources as Director of Human Resources for CPHCL, the parent company of the Corinthia Group and currently heads HR for the corporate office as well as the industrial and catering business units of the group.

Christina is also a Board Member of the JA Foundation Malta, supporting the foundation in its mission to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.

Clayton Micallef Grimaud is the Senior Director (Organisational Culture & Corporate Affairs) at the National Skills Council, where he leads national initiatives in workforce development, career guidance, and the promotion of future skills. He is passionate about creating meaningful connections between people, skills, and lifelong learning.

Previously, Clayton served as Managing Director of Esplora Interactive Science Centre, where he championed public engagement in science and innovation. He now also holds the role of Chief People & Culture Officer at Livel Health Hub, a centre dedicated to evidence-based lifestyle interventions for health and well-being.

With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, future skills, and building inclusive, engaged workplaces, Clayton brings a people-centred approach to every conversation about the future of work.

Daniel Tabone is an experienced HR professional with a strong background in financial services. He currently holds the position of Manager at the Malta Financial Services Authority, where he plays a strategic role in shaping and executing HR initiatives that support organisational performance and employee engagement. His work focuses on leadership development, employee well-being, and driving collaborative efforts that enhance overall organisational effectiveness.

With over 10 years of experience working in the financial services sector, Daniel brings a deep understanding of people management, talent development, and organisational strategy. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Services Management and a Master’s Degree in Management, which together provide a solid academic grounding that complements his proven leadership in HR.

Dr Vassilis Trochalidis is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of leadership experience, driving growth and transformation across a broad range of industries. Combining strategic vision with commercial insight and deep technical expertise, he has successfully led international business operations, scaled start-ups, and delivered complex transformation initiatives. His career spans senior roles such as CEO, CCO, and board member, with a strong focus on the technology sector, including IT and telecommunications, digital communication platforms, fintech, e-commerce, and iGaming. Vassilis has held key leadership positions at Celestar Malta Ltd, Bit8 Ltd, Qualco S.A., TDT Europe, and COSMOTE, and began his career in management and consulting roles at major firms like AT&T, Microsoft, and Dow Jones Telerate.

Known for his ability to lead and coach large, diverse teams across multinational environments, Vassilis is a trusted expert in digital transformation and tech-driven business strategies. He is bilingual in English and Greek and holds both a Ph.D. and a first-class honours bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Manchester. His professional affiliations include membership in the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Technical Chamber of Greece. Over the years, he has served on several executive and advisory boards, contributing his expertise to drive innovation and sustainable growth in highly competitive sectors.

David joined Premier Capital in 2017 as Director of HR and was appointed Chief People Officer for both Hili Ventures and Premier Capital in 2019. In 2025, David transitioned to focus exclusively on Premier Capital, continuing as Chief People Officer and joining its Executive Committee. He is responsible for developing and implementing the people strategy for Premier Capital’s McDonald’s operations, working closely with HR Directors across all markets. David joined Hili Ventures from Intercontinental Hotel Malta, where he served as Director of Human Resources and Training. He also worked as a guest lecturer at IMI Hospitality School in Lucerne, Switzerland, designing and delivering training programs in collaboration with the Malta Tourism Authority. David is a graduate of Malta’s Institute of Tourism Studies and brings extensive experience in human resources and hospitality management.