Express Group appoints new non-executive chairman

Express Group, the transportation and logistics organisation, has appointed Franco Azzopardi non-executive group chairman.

Mr Azzopardi, who holds similar posts with Innovative Architectural Structures and 3a Accountants, brings many years’ experience in corporate strategy, risk management, quality control and knowledge, and people development to this role.

One of his first tasks at Express Group will be actioning the already drafted succession plans.

Mr Azzopardi has a reputation for a modern outlook in business administration in professional service firms with almost 20 years’ experience in the industry. He also sits on the board of directors and audit committees of APS Bank, RS2 Software and Grand Harbour Marina.

“Express Group is a family business with a remarkable success story built on a high quality product portfolio and unique customer centricity,” Mr Azzopardi explained. “However, like any other successful family business, succession is an important issue which has to be actioned.” Mr Azzopardi will also support the executive management as it carries out in-depth market analysis for the eventual development of other potential service offerings that will bring growth to the already vast logistical products portfolio and the Express Group organisation in general.

Express Group general manager Johann Vella said the company was currently undergoing an internal transition to be able to respond better to the changing scenario within the transport and logistics’ industry. The group operates within a sector that is changing the way people expect to be serviced and standards have to be met for competitive advantage to be retained.

“The current market and business environment we operate in has seen tremendous change, especially due to the huge political shifts around the Mediterranean over the past months. These developments are now opening many opportunities and we are working to leverage our strengths to maximise our share. My vision for Express Group is to instil more willingness to be open to such new opportunities when these arise and to increase our appetite to capture these opportunities,” Mr Azzopardi added.