The first Irish director of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) in Ireland, during his time the CIPD in Ireland has expanded from some 500 members to over 5,000 and continues to enjoy significant growth.

Michael is a visiting lecturer and external examiner at a number of leading business schools and is a regular contributor on HR issues in the national media. He is a member of the Approvals Board of Excellence through People, the national standard for human resource development in Ireland.

Previously, Michael worked in HR with Adams Foods UK and with the NRB in Ireland where his responsibilities also included corporate affairs. He has a degree in business studies (BBS), a Master's degree (M.Sc.) in strategic HRM and is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD (Chartered FCIPD).

He is the current president of the European Association of Personnel Management (EAPM). EAPM is the representative body for personnel and development professionals in 27 European countries and Turkey.

Sergio Vella

Sergio has only recently been appointed managing director of Actavis in Malta, taking over from Steinthor Palsson who has held the position since 2002 and is moving on to another position in the Actavis Group.

Sergio joined Actavis from the Baxter Malta manufacturing facility, a local subsidiary of the American Baxter Healthcare company, where he served as general manager with responsibilities for the international management of Baxter's facilities in Italy, France and Tunisia.

Prior to joining Baxter Sergio occupied different management positions within the Edible Oil Refining Group of Companies between 1976 and 1990. He graduated in Chemistry and Biology from the University of Malta in 1974.

He has also served on a number of Government boards, including the Malta Transport Authority, the Malta Development Corporation and Malta Shipyards Ltd. He is married and has two children.