New role for consumer watchdog head

Marcel Pizzuto has been appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Competitiveness and Communications.

Mr Pizzuto will take up his appointment on October 20 on the retirement of the present incumbent, Louis Cilia.

Mr Pizzuto joined the civil service in 1966 as a clerical officer. Between 1970 and 1992 he served in various roles in the ministries responsible for trade and finance, gaining vast experience in trade matters.

He was appointed director of the Office for Fair Competition in 1994. In 1999 he successfully read EC Competition Law at King's College, University of London. In December 2000, Mr Pizzuto was appointed Director General (Consumer and Competition Division).

Mr Pizzuto served on the Medigrain board of directors and the management committee of the Mediterranean Conference Centre. He is deputy chairman of the Consumer Affairs Council, a member of the Malta Standards Authority and a member of the Food Safety Commission, positions he will be relinquishing when he assumes his new duties.

Mr Pizzuto is married to Margaret née Grech and has three children, Andrè, Gabrielle and Alexandra.