Matthew Zerafa has been named CEO at the Housing Authority after Leonid McKay left his position to take up a new role as Executive Chairperson at the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis on Friday.

The news comes just a few hours after Mr McKay was announced as Mariella Dimech's successor at the cannabis authority, following the latter’s dismissal from the position.

In recent years, Mr Zerafa worked as Head of Secretariat at the Ministry for Social and Affordable Accommodation.

Mr Zerafa is a University of Malta graduate with a bachelor’s degree in International Relations, and also graduated with a Masters in Intelligence and Security from the UK, during which he specialised in the enforcement of public entities in Malta. His studies also focused on Geographical Information Systems and strategic decisions at times of uncertainty.

The Ministry congratulated Mr Zerafa on his new role, while also thanking Mr McKay for his work over the years and wished him well for his new position.

Mr McKay was named CEO in 2018, where he worked to strengthen the services provided by the Housing Authority, while also overseeing the implementation of new rent laws.