Bank of Valletta has appointed Mario Mallia chief operating officer.

The appointment comes as a result of changes to the bank’s senior management organisational structure recently approved by the board of directors.

The revised structure aims to ensure a more focused corporate governance structure as well as efficiency in dealing with the major challenges the bank will be facing in the coming years.

The revised structure involves the creation of the role of the chief operating officer who will report directly to the chief executive officer and the regrouping of the current responsibilities and functions of the chief officers, namely the chief risk officer, chief financial officer and chief business development officer.

An accountant by profession, Mario Mallia joined the Bank in September 1979 and he was currently occupying the role of Chief Officer Risk Management. Throughout his career at the Bank, he has held a number of senior key executive positions including that of Chief Officer Finance.

In his new role, Mr Mallia will be primarily responsible for execution of strategy, internal governance and coordination, resourcing as well as operational efficiency.