Meet Fiona Debattista, our vibrant Activity Coordinator at AX Care, whose focus is on creating meaningful, feel-good moments for our residents at Simblija Care home and Hilltop Gardens in Naxxar. With her warm personality and dedication to seeing our residents thrive, she helps make each day engaging and purposeful.

“I coordinate and promote an attractive monthly calendar based on our residents’ interests,” she shares. “We set clear goals for daily activities like exercise, music entertainment, socialising, crafting, interactive games, outings and family involvement.”

Fiona ensures activities are inclusive, thoughtfully tailored to different ages, abilities and interests. She also works closely with the marketing team to promote events through the brand’s channels while coordinating guest speakers and entertainers to keep the programme fresh and engaging.

Her approach goes beyond planning, she builds genuine connections. “My way to connect is to listen, especially to newcomers who miss their homes and routines,” she explains. “I do my best to ensure they feel welcomed by other residents and familiar with their surroundings.”

One-on-one support plays a big part in to helping new residents settle in, and Fiona is always there ready to lend a hand. “I take care of my senior residents in a holistic way, that’s my aim.”

Some of her most memorable moments include celebrating residents celebrating residents’ birthdays complete with candles, friends and carers, making sure every resident feels truly special. “I do not settle for the easy route but push boundaries with residents and staff to entertain together as a family,” she says. Events such as a Sports Day are favourites and especially meaningful as “residents feel young again, facing challenges and overcoming physical and emotional limitations!”

Fiona continuously gathers feedback to better shape future activities, making sure everyone feels safe, supported, and included. Her work is about more than just planning and being amongst seniors, it’s about uplifting lives one joyful moment at a time.

Want to be part of a team that makes a difference every day?
👉 Check out all our open jobs here.

As part of our commitment to providing career growth opportunities and upskilling our team, Brady Dalli, Executive Sous Chef at Rosselli AX Privilege in Valletta under the AX Hotels brand, recently refined his culinary expertise through a company-sponsored 1-month training opportunity at De Bokkedoorns, a renowned restaurant in the Netherlands. Brady shares how he gained valuable insights into new techniques, team dynamics, and operational structures, further broadening his professional knowledge and reinforcing his appreciation for work-life balance.

“The Netherlands is a country of beautiful landscapes, traditional villages, and vibrant cities,” Brady commented. He found the transition seamless, thanks to the welcoming team. His role involved preparing vegetables, handling meat, assisting with pastry, and working alongside the team during service. “It was interesting to see different working systems and cooking techniques,” he said, managing two daily services proved challenging, demanding precision and strong organizational skills.

A unique aspect of the restaurant was the daily team dinner at 5pm, where kitchen and service staff dined together despite the fast-paced environment. Brady also observed a unique approach to  plating, with chefs collaborating on each course rather than working strictly with assigned sections. While the team communicated fluently in English, he noticed slight variations in ingredient terminology. Brady’s biggest takeaway was the emphasis on work-life balance. “This experience made me very aware of how much they prioritise such a balance- something crucial in such a demanding industry” he said. Encouraging others to embrace similar opportunities, he added, “If the opportunity presents itself, go for it.”

Brady now heads to Athens for another experience before stepping into his new role as Head Chef at soon to be opened The Verdala Wellness Hotel, AX Privilege. He expressed gratitude to his mentor, Chef Victor Borg, Culinary Director at Rosselli, AX Privilege, for his continuous support, and looks forward to applying his newfound knowledge in the next chapter of his career.

Ms. Borislava Bayyumi, Head of Recruitment at AX Group, recently delivered an insightful talk at the Junior College Careers Expo, titled “Beyond Graduation: Finding Your Path and Purpose – Navigating Life with Clarity and Confidence.”

In her presentation, Borislava shared valuable information on how students can approach life after graduation with focus and determination. She highlighted key themes, including the importance of self-reflection to understand one’s values and strengths, exploring career options and setting SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound).

Borislava also emphasised the power of networking and mentorship, encouraging students to build connections that support their growth. She inspired attendees to seek purpose not just within their careers but in all aspects of life. Her talk stressed the need to practice resilience in overcoming challenges and to develop a personal vision statement that acts as a compass for the future.

To ensure students left with practical takeaways, she outlined actionable steps to help them transition smoothly from education to the professional world with clarity and confidence.

AX Group remains committed to supporting initiatives that empower young individuals in shaping their futures. For those exploring career opportunities, visit AX Careers to view our list of current vacancies or to submit your CV and start your journey with us.

The internship experience for students at AX Hotels Sliema offers a journey of personal growth, professional development, and cultural exploration. From adapting to a new work environment and Maltese culture to building strong relationships with colleagues, these internships are filled with valuable lessons. Below, we delve into the unique journeys of Kaltrina Peci, Laura Kempen, and Maud Kolbach, each showcasing their enriching experiences at AX The Palace.

Kaltrina Peci
Intern, Host, F&B Department, AX The Palace Hotel (26.02.2024 – 26.05.2024)

During her internship at AX The Palace Hotel in Malta, Kaltrina Peci gained valuable experiences that shaped her professional growth. She quickly developed strong relationships with her colleagues, noting, “Their kindness and humour made the work environment enjoyable and fulfilling.”

Kaltrina was also able to explore Malta’s rich history and vibrant culture, which she found unforgettable. “Exploring the rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture of Malta has been an unforgettable experience,” she shared.

Her time at the hotel significantly improved her English communication skills. “Engaging with guests and colleagues in English on a daily basis has boosted my confidence and fluency in the language,” she said.

She found the experience to be very enriching, however her passion for education and her aspiration to become a teacher are stronger on her career path,” she concluded. She expressed gratitude for the friendships, skills, and the insights she gained from this experience.

Laura Kempen
Front Office Trainee, The Victoria Hotel (05.02.2024 – 02.06.2024)

Laura Kempen’s internship journey at AX Hotels Sliema began with some challenges as she adjusted to the work environment and the Maltese culture. However, she adapted quickly to these cultural differences.

After a few weeks, Laura truly began to enjoy her role, particularly appreciating her colleagues at The Victoria Hotel reception. “They were very helpful and kind,” she noted. Despite initial challenges with English fluency, she was given ample opportunities to improve and received valuable tips along the way.

A significant milestone during her internship was the switch from Opera to the New Hotel reservation system. “Fortunately, this was new for everyone, and we worked together to master it,” Laura reflected, emphasising the collaborative spirit within the team.

What Laura enjoyed most about her time at AX Sliema was the supportive and open work environment. “Everyone is very attentive and open to helping you learn,” she said, underscoring the culture of continuous learning within the team.

Maud Kolbach
HR Trainee, AX Hotels Sliema (05.02.2024 – 06.06.2024)

Maud Kolbach’s internship at AX Hotels Sliema proved to be a rewarding experience, especially with the support of her supervisor, Helen Magri, the HR Manager. “Helen not only taught me all about HR subjects but also helped me grow as a student,” Maud shared.

One of the highlights of Maud’s internship was the responsibility she was given. Helen allowing Maud to grow in her role helping her “develop, be creative, and independent while taking on various HR tasks,” Maud noted, appreciative of the trust placed in her.

Working with other departments was also a valuable experience for Maud, as it allowed her to understand the roles of all employees within the organisation. “It was a pleasure to work with other departments in this dynamic organisation,” she said.

Reflecting on her time at AX Hotels Sliema, Maud said, “I look back to 5 months of growth, opportunities, memories, and development.” She felt grateful for the positive and friendly atmosphere, where teamwork was central, and colleagues were always willing to offer help.

In conclusion, Maud expressed her sincere gratitude, especially to Helen: “I will certainly visit AX Hotels Sliema again! It was an unforgettable experience, and I cannot imagine a better learning process.” She deeply appreciated the opportunity to work in such a supportive environment, where she gained both professional and personal growth.

Larissa Escobar, Social Media Executive at AX Group, shares how 13 years of social media experience fuel her daily work, to leading workshops and driving collaboration across the Group. Read more to see how Larissa is helping shape AX Group’s social media success.

“Social media has been my passion for over 13 years—I live and breathe it, so finding a full-time role where I can work in this field daily has been incredibly fulfilling! Here at AX Group, it’s rewarding to share my knowledge and experience with the marketing team and even across other departments when needed. Although I work alongside my fellow marketers daily, the highlight for me is the monthly social media workshops, where I get to see our collective growth in action.

Before joining AX Group, I led similar workshops in my home country of Brazil, training marketing teams from various industries—from automotive to healthcare. Back home, I worked within my comfort zone, in my native language. Here in Malta, I’ve had to adapt, learning to connect with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and in English!
At AX Group, our marketing operation is a bit like a full-scale agency; we manage a vast number of social media channels, which makes it easy to lose track of what’s most relevant, trending, and meaningful to our followers and potential customers. That’s why we emphasise quality over quantity—it’s not just about posting frequently but about creating engaging content that resonates with our varied audiences.

I see these workshops as more than just training sessions. They’re a collaborative space where we exchange knowledge, best practices, and keep pace with the fast-evolving world of social media. If you happened to sneak a peek inside the room during one of our sessions, you might think it’s a group of Gen Z and millennials scrolling on their phones, but don’t be fooled! We’re deep in strategy, planning our next moves, and discussing insights that keep us on top of our game.

I’m glad that such sessions are so actively encouraged by management within the company and look forward to organising more!”