Louis Farrugia

EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Class of 2023, Malta
Chairman of Farsons Group

Share the joy of Louis Farrugia’s winning moment at Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Malta.

Louis Farrugia invested in food and beverage innovation to compete in an international market.

Few people are as dedicated to their business and to their homeland as Louis Farrugia, who has led the Maltese food and beverage conglomerate Farsons Group for over 40 years. Over that tenure — which included Malta’s transformation into an EU nation — he has diversified the business and improved working conditions through substantial investment in new product lines and innovations, including new beers and ciders. Today, Farsons Group brews and distributes branded beers and beverages; imports and sells food and beverages, including wines and spirits; and operates franchised fast food and fast casual restaurants.

Louis was a strong advocate for Malta to join the EU, and he also held a special role as President of the Chamber of Commerce at the time. While the move meant that Farsons Group would lose its protective privileges, Louis saw the long-term potential. Seeing the opportunity, he developed an investment plan to compete effectively in the international market. 

Louis’s transformational and modernization strategy for Farsons Group also turned it into a contributor to philanthropic organizations and the community. Louis was instrumental in establishing The Farsons Foundation in March 1995 to promote and safeguard Maltese culture, industrial heritage and social solidarity. This proved crucial during the pandemic when alternative sources of funding were reduced or completely wiped out.