Antoine Cardona is the new Chief Commercial Officer of the Maypole Group, a role he assumed on 24th April 2026. He is responsible for the company’s retail operations, driving commercial strategy, strengthening partnerships, and supporting sustainable growth across the business, with a particular focus on enhancing the customer shopping experience while supporting the continued growth and development of the Maypole brand across Malta and Gozo.

Mr Cardona began his professional career in the catering sector, where he developed a strong understanding of customer service, operations and team management while steadily progressing through the ranks. He subsequently moved into the Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, building an extensive career in retail management spanning more than two decades. He started with Paolo Bonnici Ltd in 2000 and the last 16 years with Attard & Co. Food Ltd, where he served heading the Retail Division. These roles provided him with wide-ranging experience in retail operations, merchandising, supply chains and consumer behaviour.

Committed to continuous professional development, Mr Cardona further strengthened his management expertise in 2019 by earning a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the prestigious Henley Business School of the University of Reading.

At Maypole, he is spearheading initiatives aimed at tailoring the company’s extensive network of outlets to the specific needs of the communities they serve. Celebrating the bakery’s unique heritage while providing a comprehensive selection of products, from deli-counters and chilled products to fresh meat, wines, beverages, frozen, and ambient products.

His objectives include adapting opening hours, product ranges, shelf layouts and in-store services to local demand, while ensuring consistency in brand standards across all locations. A key aspect of this approach is close collaboration with Better Call Maypole, the Group's award-winning customer relations and support service, enabling valuable customer feedback to inform operational improvements and enhance the overall shopping experience.

Mr Cardona believes that successful retailing is built on understanding local communities while maintaining a strong and recognisable brand identity.

“Every locality has its own character and expectations. Our goal is to respond to those needs while delivering the quality, service and consistency that customers associate with the Maypole name,” he says.