Board of Directors
Mr Bonett is an experienced finance professional whose background includes senior advisory roles in two of the big four professional services firms in Malta and the UK as well as senior executive positions as CFO and Group Finance Director with two fast-growing, global organisations. Throughout his career, David gained a wealth of experience in mergers and acquisitions, capital market transactions, corporate finance, strategic management, and corporate governance. He currently works as a freelance finance management consultant, whilst also serving as an independent non-Executive Director on a number of boards of regulated or listed entities. David is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
Mr Hili joined the family business in 1988 and was appointed managing director of Motherwell Bridge, then a joint venture with Motherwell Bridge Group of Scotland. He later also headed the company’s Italian operation and was a board member of Motherwell Bridge Bhicam in the Bahamas. Mr Hili was named Developmental Licencee for McDonald’s in Malta in 2005, for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in 2007, for Greece in 2011, and for Romania in 2016. He is Chairman of Premier Capital plc and Chief Executive Officer of Hili Ventures.
Annabel Hili was appointed to the board of Hili Ventures in 2019 and currently occupies the role of Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the group’s HR, IT, Communications and Data Protection functions. She is also involved in strategic business transformation designed to inspire the group’s people and create momentum to impact portfolio and performance.
Ms Hili graduated Doctor of Laws from the University of Malta in 2015 and was called to the Bar in 2016. She holds an LLM in the Law of Internet Technology from Bocconi University in Milan.
Mr Desira started out at the Hili family business in 1997 as an accounts clerk. He was promoted to Management Accountant with the group’s holding company in 2001 and later became financial controller at the group’s IT arm and MB Services. In 2008, Mr Desira graduated from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. A year later, he joined Premier Restaurants Malta as Finance Manager. On takeover of the Greek McDonald’s operation in 2011, Mr Desira moved to Athens. He returned to Malta as General Manager overseeing the McDonald’s operation of nine restaurants, including the opening of the Sliema restaurant in 2013. Mr Desira was appointed Chief Financial Officer for the Premier Capital group in May 2014. He was appointed Chief Financial Officer for Hili Ventures in January 2021. Mr Desira also sits on the boards of Premier Capital plc, Hili Finance Company plc, HV Marine Ltd and Motherwell Bridge Industries Ltd. He holds a CPA warrant and is a fellow of the Malta Institute of Accountants and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Dr Fenech is the Head of Fenech & Fenech Advocates’ Marine Litigation Department. She was elected to the helm of Fenech & Fenech in June 2008, holding the position of Managing Partner for 12 years. After qualifying in 1986 she joined the shipping and commercial firm of Holman Fenwick and Willan in London where she stayed until 1991 prior to joining New Orleans firm of Chaffe, McCall, Phillips Toler and Sarpy. Dr Fenech is the President of the Malta Maritime Law Association and Vice-Chair of the Yachting Services Trade Section at the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise. Dr Fenech served on the board of directors of Premier Capital plc, the McDonald’s business within Hili Ventures, between 2012 and 2020.
Mr Fritz has occupied key roles within the McDonald’s system around Europe since 1992. He has served as Chief Financial Officer for McDonald’s Central and Eastern Europe, Managing Director in Ukraine, Vice-President Southeast Europe with responsibility for eight countries, Project Leader for diversification and exit in Chicago and Switzerland, Managing Director in Italy, and Vice-President Chief Supply Chain Officer for McDonald’s Europe. After obtaining an MBA in Finance and International Tax from the Economic University in Vienna in 1985, he joined ITT Austria AG as internal auditor. He was later financial analyst at ITT Courier in Phoenix, Arizona, international controller at Alcatel Austria AG, and international controller at Austria-listed mining company VMAG. Mr Fritz is currently a franchisee with McDonald’s in Switzerland in the Canton of Zug.
Executive Team
Mr Busuttil joined 1923 Investments plc in 2020. Based in Malta, he is responsible for the company’s success in achieving its commercial and investment objectives. He also manages shareholder relations and supports the senior executives of the subsidiaries across the 1923 Investments group. Mr Busuttil joined the company from Oceanwood Capital Management of London where he was Portfolio Manager – European Event Driven Fund since 2014. He was previously a Partner (European Equity Absolute Return Fund) at Dalton Strategic Partnership, Vice-President, European Debt Restructuring at Blackstone Advisory Partners, part of the Blackstone Group, and a senior analyst within the Investment Banking Division at Credit Suisse in London. He holds a Master’s in Corporate Finance from SDA Bocconi Business School and is ACCA-qualified. Mr Busuttil is Chairman of the board of Harvest Technology plc and also sits on the board of Hili Logistics, both groups of companies within 1923 Investments plc. He is also a board member of Hili Ventures’ subsidiary Hili Finance Company plc.
Mr Mifsud Saydon was appointed Chief Financial Officer for 1923 Investments plc in 2018, having previously held the role of Chief Executive Officer at Harvest Technology plc (a 1923 Investments company). Mr Mifsud Saydon joined Harvest Technology in 2016 after a long career across a range of service lines at Ernst & Young in Malta. He has led various external audits in Malta and overseas and headed the Transaction Support Services Department. He has been involved in several risk management assignments and drafted numerous national strategies for online gaming, financial services, ICT and media strategy, and the Eco-Gozo project. Mr Mifsud Saydon is also a member of the board of Hili Logistics Ltd, a group of logistics solutions companies within 1923 Investments plc.
Lorn Chetcuti joined 1923 Investments in 2021 from De La Rue Currency and Security Print Limited, where he was Site IT Manager. He holds a Master of Science in Business Information Systems Management and is highly experienced in project management, business intelligence and knowledge management. At 1923 Investments he is responsible for providing leadership, direction, and guidance to stakeholders while managing operational activities to achieve long and short-range goals and business objectives. As Director of IT, Mr Chetcuti oversees the development and implementation of a strategy that enhances the business value derived from technology.
Company Secretary
Adrian Mercieca holds an MBA from the University of Derby and an Advanced Diploma in Strategic Management & Leadership from Pearson. He is a member of the Institute of Financial Services Practitioners. He joined Hili Ventures Ltd as Company Secretary in May 2022 and is also Company Secretary of its subsidiaries Premier Capital plc, Hii Properties plc, Hili Finance Company plc, HV Hospitality Ltd and HV Marine Ltd. He ensures compliance with the statutory responsibilities and obligations of companies, directors and officers. He is responsible for delivering, improving and overseeing strong governance frameworks and assurance outcomes for the group. Mr Mercieca joined Hili Ventures from Fenlex where he was Director and Head of the Company Administration Department which handled all corporate, compliance and banking matters and serviced a portfolio of international clients. He has also acted as Director and Company Secretary for several Maltese registered companies.
Audit Committee
Karl Fritz
Ann Fenech
Dorian Desira