Hot Seat Interview with MARK AQUILINA

Mark is the Founder of NOUV In this edition, we get to know Mark a bit better, beyond his role as the firm’s leader We read about his trend setting attire, his secret love for cooking (not) but more importantly, at how he looks at the firm and his plans for the future

What is your ideal holiday?

I do not have ‘one ideal holiday’ because it depends on the mood and on what I would be going through in my life However, I always seek tranquillity, simplicity, good food and wine and last and not least, nature If my dog is with me, then my holiday is complete but sometimes, that’s easier said than done.

What is your most treasured possession?

That’s a tricky question usually asked by wives!! As you see, I am very well-trained in this area! So, in case you were wondering, even though I consider Mikey as ‘my baby’, he is still not my most treasured possession In fact, I am not the type who regards material possessions as treasures What I treasure most are those special moments and instances that I get to spend with the ones who are close to my heart and life and the moments that touch me as a person.

What is the most useless skill you have?

It depends on what one means by “useless skill” because if it’s a ‘skill’ that will never be completely useless Having said that, there are many things in which I feel useless, such as DIY work and cooking!

What do you like most, and least, about your own appearance?

Ha!! No comment?! Obviously I love my hair the most and also my family pack!

What motivates you every morning to come to work?

The idea of seeing the fruit of our collective effort, sweat and sometimes tears so alive and kicking. I feel motivated when I see NOUV progress Spending time with my colleagues and savouring that important sense of community which we have built, also motivates me. I cherish our healthy work environment which I believe is very important because this contributes a feeling of belonging, which is what makes a community

Name one thing you are irrationally afraid of Although I do my best to not to live in fear of anything, there will always be something that we fear I too have my own demons to fight sometimes Perhaps my fear comes from my sense of responsibility towards all of you so obviously, as this responsibility grows, these ‘demons’ grow too Luckily, I have learned to fight them

What is the worst thing about being an accountant?

I consider myself more of a finance person rather than an accountant But man, the long hours I worked in my life, and the level of stress that this profession brings with it were significant I call it the long way home

How many software subscriptions do you have?

Mamma mia, too many! I am a sucker for the ideal productivity software! Believe it or not, I still haven’t found what I am looking for Hence more subscriptions are on the way!

"The idea of seeing the fruit of our collective effort, sweat and sometimes tears so alive and kicking. I feel motivated when I see NOUV progress Spending time with my colleagues and savouring that important sense of community which we have built, also motivates me."

"I want NOUV to be a larger firm, more established in Malta and with an international presence. I would like to see all our six business pillars continue to mature and going at full speed, which would mean that our service offerings are a full one-stop-shop experience for our clients."

How about your waist coast? Are you considering the introduction of a peaky blinder outfit culture at NOUV?

My love for waistcoats goes back to my youth days, and I love them to this very day In fact, I should wear them more. So do not give me any ideas because I would be very tempted to introducing the peaky blinder outfit culture anytime! I think it is a very cool and elegant look!

Where is your favourite place to go walking with Mikey?

Aside from the fact that Mikey is a big monster of a dog, I feel that in Malta, we lack places where I can walk him freely because walking him without a leash is certainly not recommended. So, I make do with either Siggiewi Valley which goes all the way to Wied Qirda in Żebbug, or Buskett or in Golden Bay behind the Radisson Golden Sands hotel However, Mikey is no longer allowed in the car (or as some like to call it, the VAN) anymore

Where do you wish NOUV to be in the next 5-10 years?

Definitely, I want NOUV to be a larger firm, more established in Malta and with an international presence. I would like to see all our six business pillars continue to mature and going at full speed, which would mean that our service offerings are a full onestop-shop experience for our clients. This is the strategy that will keep us geared towards longevity and growth