MP Nigel Vella to remain Mediterranean Conference Centre CEO

Nigel Vella will stay on as Mediterranean Conference Centre CEO, despite his new role as an MP, the recently elected backbencher told Times of Malta.

Asked whether he saw a conflict between his politically appointed role overseeing government work and heading a public agency, Vella pointed out there is precedent in the previous legislature of MPs who also served as CEOs.

“I do not see a conflict if you do your job and reach your goals. I actually see it as important that what was started is carried on, not because I am particularly important but because a lot has been achieved. There is a lot more to achieve and I have the drive to continue working there.”

In the previous legislature, at least three Labour MPs held roles at the top of government agencies.

Glenn Bedingfield, now Home Affairs Minister, served as executive chair of the Kottonera Foundation; Chris Agius was chair of Yachting Malta; and Omar Farrugia chaired Sport Malta.

In 2023, the OECD advised Malta to bar backbench MPs from having government jobs to improve standards in public life. In March, the Malta Chamber made an identical plea. “You are either an MP representing the nation or else you have a job with the government, which can influence your parliamentary work. There needs to be a clear line,” the Chamber had said.

Vella, who was appointed CEO of the entity in 2025, said he and his team had achieved great results, including a surplus of more than €1 million last year.

'Staying in touch with people'

The new Labour MP, however, said he will not carry on presenting his television and radio programme on Sunday, Paper Scan.

Despite presenting a television programme on Labour Party media for four years and a radio programme for eight, Vella said it was his on-the-ground campaign that got him elected on his first attempt. 

“There is no secret recipe to getting elected. It’s keeping in contact with people... It’s not simply about going on house visits but also staying in touch,” Vella said, adding that his constituents often have his personal number.

Vella said the first district, from which he was elected in the regular election, is somewhat more demanding. “I’m not going to say television exposure didn’t help, because I would be lying, but television only helps you insofar as knocking on someone’s door and being recognised,” he said. There is also a small group of people who never miss anything in the media and having a public presence helps there, Vella said.

Before his election, Vella held a series of back-room roles in the Labour Party and government. That included being head of the party’s communications, deputy head of communications with the government and minister Byron Camilleri’s adviser.

However, Vella said he had no issue transferring to a front-facing role. “It wasn’t a big step, to be honest. I have spent my life being involved in my community of Ħamrun, so I have always had contact with people. It’s not like I was locked in an office and, all of a sudden, I’m knocking on doors. For me, it was a natural step.”