“I have been lucky. I have crossed paths with some amazing individuals over the course of the years, some right from the start of my Corinthia journey.” These were the opening comments of Brenda Buhagiar, Director of Finance Corporate at Corinthia London.
Brenda Buhagiar
I almost felt obliged to ask her to name some of those ‘amazing individuals’. Brenda was only too glad to respond. “One of them is Jennifer Schembri Attard, now the Group Head of Finance; another is Neville Fenech, now the Group CFO. I cannot mention mentorship and not include Michael Izzo, now Group Chief Strategy Officer. These individuals have all been an integral part of my Corinthia journey. All of them have been my direct seniors. All of them have very busy schedules, but what I probably appreciate the most is that despite this, all of them are a phone call away when needed.”
How did it start? Brenda offered a wide smile. “You won’t guess! My very first role with Corinthia was as a part-time waitress, back in 2002 at Corinthia Mistra Village, a role which I held during my final two years at University, where I was studying for a B.Com (Hons) Mgt.”
Brenda joined Head Office in 2004, right after finishing University, as an Assistant Accountant for CPHCL. In the subsequent years, she was promoted to Accountant, and IHI plc was included in her remit. In 2011, Corinthia London was in the final tranches of its development and gearing up for opening in April 2011. That was such an interesting time!
“I was given the opportunity to assist Michael Izzo, then Director of Finance for Corinthia London, for two weeks. Another two support trips ensued that year and in October 2011, I moved to London as Financial Controller – Corporate.”
In 2014, Brenda was appointed Financial Controller for Corinthia London, both from a corporate and an operational perspective. Following Michael Izzo’s promotion to CFO for CHL, Brenda was promoted to Director of Finance in 2016, a role she has held for eight years.
“The latest change happened in 2024, when I was promoted to Director of Finance – Corporate, whereby I oversee, together with Michael, the ownership side of Corinthia London and Corinthia Brussels. I also maintain the accounts of CDI, the development company that identifies and executes hotel and real estate acquisitions and development.”
Brenda explained that her current duties revolve around corporate reporting for ownership in terms of consolidated accounts and cashflows. External audit and the resultant financial statements feature heavily in her duties, and she is also involved in bank facilities and property valuations.
Did the fact that she is a woman present her with particular challenges? I got a very emphatic answer. “I have never felt that I had to prove something extra just because I am a woman. Corinthia has always been very inclusive.”
Moving away momentarily from work, I asked about family and hobbies.
Brenda and family at Battersea Park, London
“My parents and my sister, together with her own family, are all based in Malta. So, video calls are part and parcel of our daily routine. I try to visit home as frequently as possible, and they come over to London too. Despite the distance, I feel blessed that we are as close as ever.
“My hobbies list is a long one. Unfortunately, I cannot say I have the time to enjoy them all as I would like to. I most definitely like reading, ideally curled up on my couch and sipping a nice coffee. But in reality, I often have to be satisfied with reading during train rides.
“I have taken up running over the last few years, not as a pro, but I really want to stick to it. I have two half-marathons lined up for this year, which are also a fundraiser for an Animal Rescue here in London. I have a budding desire to join a full-marathon, but I am painfully aware I would need much more training for that.
“I absolutely love gardening and strolling in gardens whilst taking an excessive number of photos of different flowers. I also enjoy baking, especially during Autumn and Winter when it’s always dark and raining. And I absolutely treasure spending time with my two cats, Cookie and Snow who provide an equal amount of snuggles and heart- in-mouth moments. Swimming features on the list, too, but unfortunately that is pretty limited in London, unlike Malta.”
Cookie and Snow, her faithful companions.
Any advice for young members of her profession? Brenda thought for a moment. “When I mentor younger professionals, I love repeating this short advice: Don’t start getting ready when the opportunity arises. Be ready for when the opportunity arises.
But as a general advice I would add: irrespective of whichever career you pursue, be true to yourself, stay grounded, compartmentalise, grade your priorities, don’t assume, don’t be arrogant, don’t take people for granted. The whole is made up of a lot of different pieces joined together. You may be an important piece of the whole, but you are still a piece. Stay humble.”
I asked Brenda for a parting shot on the future trends she foresees in the finance sector of the hospitality industry. “Speed has become imperative. Everything requires faster treatment. I joke sometimes that I will need to close off accounts before the year even elapses. The turn-around of reports, agility in decision-making, keeping abreast of developments are key. Information systems are integral to the delivery of this and will continue to grow in importance with each passing year. But it’s all so exciting!”
