The vision of Nazzareno Vassallo, founder of Vassallo Group, has been instrumental in cementing trust and securing loyalty from those who worked alongside him. Arkati speaks with three individuals whose dedication and leadership played an important role in the Group’s continued growth.

 

TONIO DEPASQUALE
For nearly four decades, Tonio Depasquale built a distinguished career in banking, with Vassallo Group among his clients. This professional relationship flourished when he retired in 2012 and was invited to join the company as an independent non-executive director. Although he now contributes from a distance, Tonio continues to closely observe the Group’s steady growth.

“I saw the Group achieve organic growth, while diversifying into various sectors of the economy, strengthening their investments and seeing them grow steadily,” he said. He attributes the company’s resilience to its ability to take “calculated and well-researched risks”. To illustrate this, he points to two ventures in particular, the Mediterranean College of Sport and Campus Hub.

“Opening MCS was in itself a risky venture, but Campus Hub was entering entirely new ground,” he said. “There was no business like it locally, so it was a big challenge. From a business point of view, it was quite a risk as we didn’t have any model to follow. It’s not like opening a hotel,” he said. Tonio speaks highly of the Group’s leadership team and the new generation driving the company forward. “They are intelligent, disciplined risk-takers… committed young people who are prepared to work hard, eager to learn, and willing to consult before making decisions,” he said.

Looking ahead, Tonio is excited to see where Vassallo Group will expand next, confident that its careful approach to growth and willingness to embrace calculated challenges will continue to guide its success.

 

ALDO VELLA
Fresh out of university, a 25-year-old Aldo Vella embarked on a long career with Vassallo Group, a professional relationship that has now spanned more than five decades. He first joined the company as its lawyer, before taking on the role of legal advisor and director. “I was there from the first day of my career,” Aldo recalled. “I graduated and, as luck would have it, started with Vassallo Group almost immediately.”

The opportunity arose in the early 1970s, when a vacancy opened up, and Aldo was recommended for the role. He seized the opportunity, setting in motion a career that would grow alongside the company itself. During his 50 years with Vassallo Group, Aldo witnessed its evolution from Vassallo Builders to a diverse enterprise spanning elderly care, hospitality, joinery, and beyond. “The key to making bold decisions is unity within the company,” he explained. “To ensure the company thrives for another 80 years, the people at its core must remain united.”

For Aldo, his connection to Vassallo Group has transcended the professional, evolving into a deep personal friendship. At 78, he considers Zaren (as Nazzareno Vassallo is fondly referred to), his long-time colleague, and one of his closest friends. “The working relationship has transformed into a beautiful friendship,” he said, adding that to this day they continue to travel and socialise regularly.

As the next generation of the Vassallo family takes the helm, Aldo takes pride in seeing his son Massimo providing legal counsel to the Group, continuing the family’s long-standing connection to a company.

 

EDGAR ROSSIGNAUD
Edgar Rossignaud describes himself as fortunate to have spent the first half of his career working with “Malta’s best architect”, Richard England, and the second half with one of Malta’s “best contractor”, Vassallo Group. “I had two amazing jobs in my life. One was with the best architect and one was with the best contractor,” he said. After 16 years in architectural practice, Edgar joined Vassallo Group on June 1, 1988, a date he remembers well, as it also coincides with his wedding anniversary. “I will never forget it. My wife still complains that I didn’t skip work for it. I made sure not to make that mistake again,” he joked.

Between 1988 and 2006, Edgar served as Group architect and later as partner and CEO of Building Consultancy Services Ltd, leading some of Malta’s most significant developments. His portfolio includes landmarks such as Baystreet, the Malta International Airport, and the original Casa Arkati, Malta’s first purpose-built residential home for the elderly.

Looking back, Edgar takes great satisfaction in knowing his work helped shape the country’s skyline and community spaces. “Those buildings aren’t just projects,” he reflected. “They’re part of Malta’s story and I’m proud to have had a hand in building it.” “You need to keep in mind, there were no manuals or standards for us to go by, so we had to make our own.

We had to design everything from scratch, and I can proudly say our projects are still there,” he reflected.  He credits his success to his collaborative relationship with Nazzareno Vassallo, who always listened and supported his ideas. Looking back, Edgar is proud of the legacy he helped create and the projects that continue to define Malta’s architectural and construction landscape.