Leading importer and distributor P. Cutajar has announced the retirement of Denis Zammit Cutajar from the role of CEO, and his replacement by the company’s first female chief executive, Sarah Zammit Cutajar.

P. Cutajar took to LinkedIn to announce the change at the helm, thanking Mr Zammit Cutajar for his 48 years of service.

“P. Cutajar would like to thank him for his dedication, motivation, passion and drive throughout all these years,” the company said.

“He was a super leader, very open minded and had exemplary values. A great example to us all who will never be forgotten. We'll miss him!”

After graduating from St Edward’s College, Mr Zammit Cutajar started his career with the company in the Photo Division, spending over 20 years as Manager of the division before moving on to spend another 20 years as Sales and Marketing Director.

He was appointed CEO in 2015.

His career involved participation in a number of trade entities, including as a member of the Maltese Italian and Maltese French Chambers of Commerce.

Since 2019, he has also served as President of the Malta Beverage Importers Association.

In its statement, P. Cutajar wished Ms Zammit Cutajar “good luck & well done”, noting that she will be the company’s first female CEO.

Her appointment also represents a move in leadership to the fifth generation of the family.

Ms Zammit Cutajar takes on the role after spending two years as the company’s Chief Operations Officer.

She was previously employed as the Retail and Marketing Director.

P. Cutajar is the local representative of some of the world’s leading brands across several sectors, such as Ferrero and Lavazza in the food and coffee industries. 

In more recent years, the company acquired the distribution rights for the Martini Bacardi Group, JP Chenet Wines, Highland Spring Mineral Water, Pasqua and Bersano Wines and Haagen-Dazs Ice Creams.

The company is also involved in the retail trade operating two Solaris sunglasses shops in Valletta and Sliema as well as a Cocinelle handbag store in Sliema and a Haagen-Dazs Parlour in Valletta and Paceville.

The roots of P. Cutajar date back to 1861, when the founder, Paul Cutajar, started a trading company carrying his name based in Valletta.

His business quickly flourished and in 1865 he formalised his activities and established P. Cutajar & Co.