Vision, Passion and Perseverance

Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of NOUV Mark Aquilina established the firm in 2008. How has the firm grown over the past 14 years?

BY CORYSE BORG

NOUV was initially founded to provide traditional business support services to micro and small enterprises, especially start-ups. As its clients grew and their needs became more sophisticated and complex, the company also evolved and expanded its range of services accordingly.

Today, NOUV has established itself as a multidisciplinary firm that provides management and financial consulting, business support and assurance services. Moreover, it is constantly plugging in more services and solutions in its offerings to continue assisting its clients more holistically on their business journey. Growing from a team of 25 people in an office in St Julian’s, today NOUV’s workforce is made up of almost 60 professionals, six of whom are partners. Last year, they moved to their new and larger premises in

Żebbuġ.

Mr Aquilina’s primary role at NOUV has always been to steer the firm throughout its journey by liaising with his fellow partners and their growing team of professionals.

“Together with my team and in line with the value of good governance, we recently reorganised our operations and redefined the partners’ role. After all, it would be pointless for an enterprise like ours to advocate for good governance if we do not put into practice what we advocate for,” he says. “Therefore, my role today is that of Chief

Visionary Officer, responsible for leading the firm, capabilities building, strategising, annual planning, and supporting innovation.”

Mr Aquilina said that his biggest challenge so far has been managing the sudden growth of the firm, especially when one must merge so much talent under one roof.

“I always had a deep-felt sense of wanting to assist others. NOUV became the right vehicle for this, and every day, I feel that, together with my colleagues, we bring positive changes in people’s lives by helping their businesses grow or get in shape.”

“Our greatest strength lies in being a firm that offers multidisciplinary solutions through a down-to-earth approach. Our people bring an exciting blend of industry experience, which allows us to provide every client with a holistic outlook,” he says.

In December 2020, the company acquired Tuning Fork, a company specialising in assisting organisations to ensure that their business practices are economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable. “Embracing a new company with a new team with different backgrounds and aspirations was easy because we both have the same ambitions. What was challenging was streamlining ourselves on an operational level. To date, I feel we’re doing great,” he states. “Honestly, and I say this with utmost humility, I do not think there is any other midtier firm like NOUV. What differentiates us most from other mid-tier firms in our sector is the diversity of services we offer and the mixture of skillset within the firm, which gives us a distinct advantage in viewing a business in its totality.”

The past few years have shown how crucial governance and sustainability are within the business dimension and across the board, including legislators, Tea or coffee? Most definitely, coffee policymakers, and citizens. Sunrise or sunset? Sunset

“We believe that upholding Sweet or savoury? Both - and implementing the values of good corporate governance and a more sustainable way can’t say no to food! Books or television? TV of operating and everyday Working alone or in a team? I would need living would solve so many to do both; however, something tells me of today’s problems. When it that having five partners makes me comes to governance, we set more of a team player. up our ‘GetGovernanz’ brand Summer or winter? Summer and all year to promote the importance long if possible! of reinstating the culture of Android or iOS? iOS good governance across the City breaks or country holidays? board. Sustainability is also a Both, depending crucial value that we believe in, especially today when leading on the mood; however, I love skyscrapers. Home cooking or dining out? Dining out

investors are increasingly looking at those companies that achieve sustainable growth and success,” he asserts.

This, he says, is one reason why NOUV acquired Tuning Fork to assist their clients in aligning with international best practices in more sustainable operations.

Mr Aquilina says that he draws his inspiration from his colleagues, clients, entrepreneurs’ stories, and motivational speakers. He is also an avid reader of financial journals, from which he also gets his fair share of inspiration.

“I always had a deep-felt sense of wanting to assist others. NOUV became the right vehicle for this, and every day, I feel that, together with my colleagues, we bring positive changes in people’s lives by helping their businesses grow or get in shape. As Simon Sinek says: ‘If you want to feel happy, do something for yourself. If you want to feel fulfilled, do something for someone else.’ We are also a growing firm with all its pains, and this fact sensitises us to what other business leaders experience daily,” he adds. We can relate to them, but we are also very relatable. Prospective clients see how uniquely positioned we are to leverage industry connections to help them embrace new perspectives and make better business decisions.”

The biggest lessons that Mr Aquilina has learnt in his time as Founder and CVO have been: believe in yourself and what you have to offer before selling it to others, that everyone has something to offer, to surround yourself with the right people that bring no drama, no negativity, no hidden agendas, that there are always two sides to a coin so be patient, listen a lot and build meaningful relationships based on openness, trust and transparency. And finally to have enough courage to take calculated risks that bring lasting change. As for where he sees the firm going over the next few years, Mr Aquilina’s prime aim is to see NOUV become one of the leading consulting firms on the islands.

“I want to drive more growth through more acquisitions and mergers, allowing us to move into other areas that are peripheral to our industry. However, perhaps my biggest target remains giving NOUV the international dimension it deserves by establishing our presence outside Malta. Till we get there, we shall keep cementing our firm’s fundamentals to ensure that NOUV will continue to support future generations of entrepreneurs.” M+S