‘Just as a body without a soul is lifeless, so is a company without the support of its people. It is important to look after our hotels like we look after our bodies, but we must always keep in mind that it is our people who represent the soul of our Company.’ These incisive words have always been a cornerstone of the philosophy of Alfred Pisani, Chairman of Corinthia. They have echoed in many of his speeches and his page-turner autobiography The Spirit of Corinthia. 

Corinthia Chairman, Alfred Pisani

  This thought echoed loudly in my mind when I started writing this article on the annual event celebrating the Corinthia Continuous Service Awards. These are not mere run-of-the-mill events or empty pep talk. These awards are the genuine appreciation of those who have dedicated years – in some cases, their entire working lives- to helping Corinthia realise its visions. The date of this annual event, December 6, is not just another day on the calendar; it marks Corinthia’s birthday. It was on December 6, 1962, that Corinthia opened its exclusive restaurant at Villa Corinthia, Attard, now known as the Corinthia Palace Hotel. Corinthia is acutely aware that its inception and this yearly commemoration should be intertwined with the people who contribute to the company’s ongoing journey. Traditionally, this yearly occasion is held at the Corinthia Palace; however, this year, the hotel was reserved exclusively for an international ministerial meeting. As a result, the programme was hosted in the grand ballroom of the Radisson Blu St Julians.  

Radisson Blu St Julians

  The hall was abuzz as the programme unfolded, during which awards were presented to 74 staff members celebrating milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and even the crowning achievements of 30 and 35 years of service. Each awardee received an elegant trophy, designed and handcrafted specifically for the occasion by Mdina Glass.  

  The following are the recipients of the  awards:

Swan Laundry 

5 Years: John Paul Azzopardi. 10 Years: Charmaine Sciberras;  Anita Mifsud.

MFCC

5Years: Vince Mifsud; Andrea Pisani; 15 Years:Neville Ciappara; Eman Muscat

Danish Bakery 

10 Years: Travis Boyd; Alex Mallia 15 Years: John Mary Sant; Martin Borg; Jonathan Abela 20 Years: David Aquilina; Gaetano Mangion

CPHCL Landscaping

5 Years : Ruud Attard; 15 Years: Christopher Pisani; Joe Florian; 20 years: Christine Galea 

Costa Coffee

5 Years: Marie Veronique Abela; 10 Years: Lawrence Debono

Corinthia Caterers and Catermax

5 Years: Paul Zammit; Rachel Lee Formosa; 10 Years: John Paul Zammit; John Catania; Sharon Abdilla; Sylvia Muscat; 15 Years: Marisa Muscat; Kenneth Frendo.

QP

5 Years: Lydia Borg; Ekaterina Nazarova; Gabriella Cassar; Nadia Camilleri; Julian Calleja; 10 Years: Edward Calleja; Roberto Ciappara; Daniel Borg; 15 Years: Charlene Darmanin; Sandro Schembri.

Radisson Blu St Julians

5 Years: Bjorn Azzopardi; Daniel Farrugia; Gabriel Abela; 15 Years: Sera Aanna Dalli; 20 Years: Carmen Fenech

Corinthia St George’s Bay

5 Years: Hristijan Karevski; David Numov; Maria Camilleri; 15 Years: Hasan Deli; 20 Years: Marian Grima

Corinthia Palace Hotel

5 Years: Jefferey Mercieca; 10 Years: Carmel Briffa

Radisson Blu Golden Sands

5 Years: Ranjeet Rangrao Patil; Marcus Fabri; Elizabeth Carillo; Jesmond Grima; Izabella Nagy; Aleksandar Jovanoski; 10 Years: Vytautas Beisys; 15 Years: Nataliene Micallef; 20 Years: Josian Vella

CHL

10 Years: Ian Busuttil Naudi; 15 Years: Lawrence Sapiano 20 Years: Alexia Vassallo

Corporate Office

5 Years: Paul Sacco; 10 Years: Thea Dimova; 15 Years: Alan Grech; Victoria Delia; 25 Years: Elizabeth Bartolo

THIRTY-YEAR AWARDS:

Paul Wingfield – Corinthia Caterers

Simon Aquilina – Corinthia Caterers

James Bartolo – Radisson Golden Sands

THIRTY-FIVE YEAR AWARD

Lorraine Muscat – Swan Laundry

Salvinu Farrell – Corporate Office

John Galea – Corporate Office

Alfred Fabri- Corporate Office  

Ian Busuttil Naudi

The programme was skillfully presented by Ian Busuttil Naudi, a familiar face in both the Corinthia family and the television industry. He introduced several video segments showcasing Corinthia’s stunning properties and activities organised by The Corinthia Social Committee. Additionally, he presented a heartwarming video documented by Jonathan Pace and David Agius, highlighting their mission to Kumasi, Ghana, where they assisted in setting up a kitchen for a local hospital. This initiative is yet another remarkable endeavour for Corinthia, reflecting its commitment to help and support communities in need. It embodies ‘The Spirit of Corinthia’, a characteristic that is truly commendable. I invite readers to explore this noble gesture further in a previous article featured on Insider Plus: The magic power of a lollipop.  

Corinthia Chairman, Alfred Pisani, flanked by IHI CEO and Managing Director, Simon Naudi

Corinthia Chairman Alfred Pisani, flanked by IHI CEO and Managing Director Simon Naudi, concluded the evening with an impromptu message reflecting on the origins of the Corinthia story—a time when hospitality studies were yet to emerge. The Chairman shared a brief glimpse into those early days, emphasising that “the simple tools of perseverance and commitment were magical.” He underscored the importance of the ‘Spirit of Corinthia’, insisting that it must never wane.

“Our richness goes beyond shining gold and sparkling chandeliers; it lies in our special energy to teach and share knowledge with one another,” he remarked. “Every atom of perseverance and energy that combines with another’s is destined to swell in large proportions. The power of the individual should never be underestimated.”

Indeed, these are insightful thoughts to ponder.