Bajada Investment’s Mark Bajada wins the EY Entrepreneur of the Year™ for Malta and Mvintage’s Krystle Penza wins the EY Rising Star

Mark Bajada, Managing Director, Bajada Investments Limited has won the fifth edition of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year™. Bajada Investments Limited is well known for its work in solar energy with Mark being a pioneer in the field. In recent years, Bajada Investments Limited has diversified into the elderly care, technology, engineering, and hospitality. This June, he will represent Malta in Monaco and compete in EY’s World Entrepreneur of the Year™ award together with business leaders from more than 60 countries. 

Krystle Penza, Managing Director of Mvintage, has taken home the prize of EY’s Rising Star. Mvintage has become a household name in fashion, creating jewellry  with Maltese heritage at the centre and setting up shops in several locations across Malta and Gozo.

EY has been holding the Entrepreneur of the Year™ awards globally for over three decades. Now found in more than 60 countries, they include a global network of 50,000 entrepreneurs and are the global benchmark for capturing today’s and tomorrow’s entrepreneurial spirit.

The Maltese award is adjudicated by an independent panel made up of key figures from the business community. This year’s panel included; Ms. Marisa Xuereb (President of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise, and Industry); Mr. Paul Abela (President of the Malta Chamber of SME’s); Ms. Elizabeth Camilleri (BOV non-executive Director); Mr. Simon Vaughan Johnson (HSBC CEO); Ms Catherine Calleja (Managing Director – Atlas Health Insurance)

The Malta award promotes entrepreneurship across the Maltese islands and empowers entrepreneurs to grow their businesses both locally and globally. Previous winners include Mr. Alfred Pisani from Corinthia Group in 2017, Mr. Angelo Xuereb from AX Holdings in 2018, Mr David Darmanin from Hotjar in 2019 and Mr Nazzareno Vassallo from Vassallo Group in 2021.  

The previous Rising Stars include Mr. David Vella from Altaro Software, Mr. Shane Hunter from AquaBioTech Group, Ben Remfrey from Praedium Consulting Malta Ltd and John Winfield of Dr Juice.

Ronald Attard, EY Malta’s Country Managing Partner, said: “This year’s winners are exceptional, have surpassed all expectations, and both build local success stories from the ground up. Mark has been championing the environment for many years’ and therefore great to see his hard work pay off, which in the end is of benefit to us all. Krystle’s story is eye-opening, and many local artists and creators will draw inspiration from her, especially as her products are heavily influenced by our very own Maltese heritage. Finally, a big congratulations to all the 2022 finalists whose determination and perseverance has brought them so far! Good luck to Mark and Krystle in Monaco!”

Kevin Mallia, EY Malta Consulting Lead and EOY Program Lead, said: “It is truly incredible that even as we enter the 5^th edition of the EOY award, the quality and depth of entrepreneurship shows no signs of abating. The 2022 winners will make all Maltese proud as they compete in EY’s World Entrepreneur of the Year™  next June. The independent panel of judges must also be commended for their work in selecting our 2022 winners, which amongst such an accomplished group is no easy task.”

The awards are supported by the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry and the Malta Chamber of SME’s.