Kerr Floyd Subere’s journey at AX The Palace is a remarkable story of resilience and growth. For over eight years, he worked his way up from a concierge to Front Office Shift Leader, proving that determination and hard work can turn dreams into reality. Read on to learn more about the challenges and triumph’s Kerr experienced throughout his time at AX The Palace in Sliema.

“Looking back on the past eight years of my life in Malta, I am filled with gratitude and a deep sense of accomplishment. When I first stepped into AX The Palace Hotel, I was just a kitchen porter working through an agency. It was a humble beginning, but I’ve always believed that ambition, hard work, and determination could take me anywhere.

I took a leap of faith and applied for a role in reception, starting as a luggage porter/concierge. A few months later, I moved up to Front Office Agent, and eventually, I earned the title of Front Office Shift Leader. None of it was easy, but that’s the beauty of hard work—it’s not supposed to be easy, but it’s worth it.

The journey was filled with challenges—moments of doubt and even setbacks—but every step taught me something valuable, like I’ll never forget the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when everything felt uncertain. Many friends and colleagues left Malta, returning to their home countries, but I chose to stay. It wasn’t an easy decision. For three months, I lived on government assistance, unsure of what the future would hold. But sometimes, taking a risk and betting on yourself pays off.

I’ll always be thankful to the management for giving me the opportunity to come back with a direct contract. This place didn’t just give me a job; it gave me a career, a platform to grow, and memories to last a lifetime. I’ve learned so much here—about hospitality, teamwork, resilience, and above all, the power of determination.

Throughout my journey, I also discovered the true essence of hospitality: serving others. Guests were at the heart of everything I did. They challenged me to be better, inspired me to go the extra mile, and made every effort worthwhile. I was proud to serve both my company and our guests, knowing that their satisfaction was the reason I excelled in my career. Building relationships, creating memorable experiences, and seeing the smiles on their faces were some of the most rewarding aspects of my role.

To anyone out there chasing dreams that feel out of reach, let me tell you this: aim high, work hard, and never stop believing in yourself. Success isn’t always a straight path; sometimes, it’s the winding road that leads you to where you’re meant to be. Prove to yourself and to others what you’re capable of, and the opportunities will follow.

As I move on to new adventures, I carry with me the lessons, the friendships, and the pride of everything I’ve achieved. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, AX The Palace Team, for being such an incredible part of my journey.

And to everyone reading this—dream big, take risks, and trust the process. You can achieve what once felt intangible if you stay determined.”

Joseph Galdes, IT Manager at AX Group Business Centre, shares his passion for theatre, explaining how his enthusiasm for the performing arts has not only enriched his personal life but also enhanced his professional experiences. Discover more about how he blends these two worlds below.

I am proud to share that our recent production “Pandemonju” was recognised at the Cospicua Short Play Festival, winning awards for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Production. This acknowledgment marks a highlight in my long-standing involvement in the theatre world, a passion that has been a part of my life since childhood.

My journey into theatre began early, with encouragement from Mr. Giovann Attard, an Education Officer in Drama in Education, who urged me to take the stage during my primary school years. In secondary school, at Liceo Mikiel Anton Vassalli, I expanded my skills to backstage production under the guidance of Mr. Paul Buhagiar, where I gained experience in stage building, lighting, and sound for the school’s prize day.

After a decade-long break, I returned to the theatre in 2010 with the Zebbug Pageant Group, and since then, I have been deeply involved in numerous productions. For the past seven years, I have volunteered at Teatru Dumnikan in Birgu, working alongside esteemed local actor and director Mr. Mario Gatt. We are part of the UNITAS theatrical company, staging productions in this beloved venue. I must say that the theatre is in need of refurbishment, and without adequate support, we risk losing this important cultural space! I hope that with this article I can raise awareness about this.  We welcome any form of assistance, whether financial contributions or hands-on support from those willing to offer their time and skills in the refurbishment process.

In my professional life, I serve as the IT Manager at AX Group, and while IT is my career, theatre offers a different kind of fulfillment, one that allows me to explore creativity and collaboration. These two worlds complement each other, bringing a sense of balance to my life.

My technical theatre skills have grown through various productions under directors like Mr. Patrick Vella, with shows such as “In Search of Rudolph,” “l-Elett,” “Tlieta Fuq il-Bank” and the more recent award-winning production “Pandemonju.”

I’ve also worked on productions like “Bank il-Għażż” and “Il-Kamra tal-Purtiera l-Vjola,” directed by Mr. Stefan Galea Debono.

My passion for theatre provides a creative outlet that enriches both my personal and professional life. I encourage you all to attend our upcoming theatre production; “Il-Ġisem li Nħobb” happening on the 15th, 16th and 17th November at Mikiel Anton Vassalli College, Malta School of Drama and Dance, Triq Mountbatten, Pietà. Buy the tickets from https://www.showshappening.com/ilgisemlinhobb/IlGisem-li-Nhobb. Hope to see you there!

Embarking on an internship is often seen as the first step into the professional world, a chance to gain hands-on experience and determine if a chosen career path is the right fit for you. Monica Teuma, who progressed from a successful intern to a full time Marketing Coordinator shares that “this step was more than just a trial run – it marked the beginning of a journey that eventually led to a full-time role within a company where I could further develop my skills”

Here’s more about Monica’s story of growth, learning, and advancement at AX Group.

 

Starting as an Intern

Monica comments that “AX Group, had always stood out to me as a company where I could truly develop my skills and build a meaningful career. When I was offered an internship with the Marketing & PR department, I knew it was an opportunity not to be missed. The chance to work with a well-established company was exciting, and I was eager to contribute and expand my knowledge in the field.”

The supportive environment at AX Group played a significant role in Monica’s development as an intern. “My colleagues were incredibly helpful, always ready to share their expertise and guide me through challenges.” The mentorship provided helped her grow her skills and confidence within the marketing field. “I learned to approach problems with a solution-oriented mindset and developed a keen eye for detail, which has served me well in my current role.” she adds.

 

The Transition to Full-time

“Shortly before completing my degree, I was approached by the Head of Department with an offer to join the team as a full-time employee. Receiving this offer was truly gratifying as it signified that my hard work had paid off and that I had made a positive impact during my internship. I was thrilled to accept the position, knowing that I would be working with a great team of people on exciting projects.”

 

In the Role of Marketing Coordinator

Monica explains that “today, as a Marketing Coordinator at AX Group, I draw on the experiences and skills I gained during my internship. The seamless transition from intern to full-time employee made it feel as though I had never left. I continue to be driven by the same interest and enthusiasm that initially attracted me to the company. My goal is to keep learning and growing, seizing every opportunity to enhance my skills and contribute to the success of the team.”

“Looking ahead, my aspirations are clear – to continue evolving within the Group, take on new challenges, and expand my knowledge and expertise in the field. My journey from an intern to a full-timer has been a rewarding experience and I am grateful for the opportunities that have come my way. I look forward to what the future holds as I continue to build my career with AX Group.” Monica proudly adds.

On a final note, she mentions that “while the commute from Gozo to Malta can be demanding, the opportunity to work with AX Group makes it worthwhile. The positive work environment, my talented colleagues and opportunities are well worth the journey. Plus, being known as the ’Gozo expert’ around the office comes with its perks—though I might start charging for those insider tips soon!”

 

Introducing Jillian Mallia, Marketing Manager at AX Hotels Qawra, who shares her journey of walking the Camino Português.

“I have always been an outdoorsy person, loving various sports as a child and well into my twenties. So, when my Dad pitched the idea to walk the Camino Português together in 2020, I immediately jumped at the opportunity. Unfortunately, COVID decided to derail our plans a little, which pushed our trip to 2022. I believe in ‘things happen for a reason’ as the end of 2021 and most of 2022 was a tough period for me in my personal life, so embarking on this journey made it all the more significant. I needed to get out of my head and challenge myself with something a bit out of my comfort zone.”

“So, Dad and I trained for a few months, took part in the local Walkathon, got all geared up and then on Friday 27^th May 2022 it was time to jet to Spain to begin our 5-day 132km trek. The Camino Português is an official route of the Camino de Santiago, and a beautiful coastal one at that. It starts from Porto (hence its name) and finishes off in Santiago. All roads lead to Santiago, as pilgrims say, no matter where you start from. And to ‘prove’ that you actually completed the minimum 100km, you need to stamp your ‘Camino Passport’ along the way. Our journey consisted of five stops; starting from the beachside Baiona, to city Vigo, townscape Pontevedra passing through quiet Redondela, the little town of Caldas de Reis, followed by the country town of Padrón, and finally, the historic town of Santiago. Each day’s trek ranged from 18km to 35km and we had to battle various terrains and weather conditions. In the 5 days we were walking, we experienced extreme sunshine, cloudy weather, pockets of rain and full-on showers. But the one motto there is in such a trek is: don’t stop; rest if you need to, but don’t give up.”

“During the trek I had to push not only physically but also mentally to get to the much-awaited finish line. I remember on Day 2, which was our longest stretch (35km), I developed a very nasty blister on my left heel halfway through the day (apart from dealing with chronic tendinitis flare ups in both ankles and knees). The pain was excruciating but I couldn’t stop. We had to keep going because we had to get to our next accommodation before sunset. I vividly remember removing my gear to head into the shower and actually seeing the blister and I burst into tears. All I could think of was, ‘How am I going to manage another 3 days of walking?’ because at that point, we had about another 80km to go! My Dad patched me up and the next day we headed out early to give us enough time to get to the next destination while also taking it a little slower because of my condition. I had to adapt my gear and my pace to the situation.”

“The next three days weren’t without their challenges (including having to walk 15km straight in pouring rain on Day 4 and getting soaked to the bone!), but they were incredibly rewarding. Arriving at Santiago was an experience in itself. You come across people you met along the way and other pilgrims walking different routes. Walking into the church square gave me an indescribable feeling – you’re surrounded by fellow pilgrims who just completed a trek just like you. Rucksacks (weighing at about 5kg) are finally off our backs, and everyone is relaxing on the ground or taking photos to commemorate the occasion. There was a sense of unspoken community to end a beautiful journey. All I can say is, this experience was challenging, beautiful, difficult, messy, eye-opening and an experience I’ll remember forever. And – I’ve never been so relieved and excited to see a church in my entire life!”

“Having to adapt in various weather conditions and taking into account my physical condition, together with pushing through physically and mentally has taught me to constantly persevere in whatever I do. And it has also taught me to take care of my mental wellbeing and to take time to rest when needed. I’ve always been an ambitious person, wanting to not only hit but exceed targets I set, and this has been a valuable lesson and life experience. As a woman in management, I approach anything that is thrown my way with courage coupled with perseverance to see projects through and conclude them with the best possible outcome. However, I’ve also learnt that if something isn’t quite going the way you imagined, it is important to take the time to regroup, brainstorm again and repropose.”

“They say life is a marathon, and you need to continue on, no matter what is thrown your way. The Camino truly taught me that – having to soldier on but also adapt conditions to improve the outcome. Keeping perseverance at the forefront and never giving up, while acknowledging and accepting when to adapt to different situations and change course to better the outcome is the key to success in my opinion.”

“As we say in the Camino Way, Buen Camino! – meaning ‘Happy Trails’ but I’ve come to interpret it as that no matter what life brings, I always remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel and to persevere to the very end.”