Camilleri Holdings has appointed George Debono as its new chief executive officer, the company announced in a market statement on Monday.

Debono takes up the role with immediate effect, filling the position vacated last June following the departure of Christos Barmperis. His appointment comes three months after he resigned as chief commercial officer at BNF Bank.

With more than 30 years of experience in the banking and financial services sector, Debono has held a number of senior leadership roles in Malta and abroad. He began his career at HSBC Malta, where he was instrumental in setting up the bank’s first Premier Centre in 2010 and later led several of its corporate banking teams.

In July 2019, Debono joined BNF Bank, where he played a central role in expanding the bank’s international footprint, including the establishment of a London office. During his tenure, BNF issued its first bond and secured Bank of the Year awards for three consecutive years.

Debono stepped down from BNF last September, at the same time as the bank’s chief financial officer. The resignations followed a challenging period for the bank, which had come under regulatory scrutiny after a problematic IT systems upgrade disrupted customer services. BNF maintained at the time that the departures were unrelated to the issues.

At Camilleri Holdings, Debono will oversee a diversified portfolio of businesses and investments spanning retail, manufacturing and distribution. The group represents international fashion brands including Mothercare, Matalan and Promod, alongside its long-established confectionery operations. The group employs approximately 250 people.

In 2024, Camilleri Holdings raised €15 million through an unsecured 10-year bond issue, strengthening its capital base to support ongoing operations and future growth.

The company said Debono’s appointment is expected to support the next phase of development across its portfolio as it continues to consolidate and expand its activities in Malta.