Meet Our Team

Meet our Management Team

  • Maria Vanessa Puglisi
    Recruitment Manager
    Maria is originally from Italy where she obtained a master's degree in psychology and a post-graduate degree in Human Resources. She has lived in Paris, Dubai, Stockholm, Portugal and Malta over the years! Maria joined the Connections Group She has relocated back to Malta and has joined the teams at Betting Connections in September 2016. In the rare event she has free time, Maria loves to indulge in Netflix and to travel as much as possible, and LA and Vegas are two of her favourite places she has visited.
    Visit Maria’s LinkedIn profile

    Maria@bettingconnections.com
  • Esther Fernandez
    Recruitment Manager
    Originally from Alcante, Spain, Esther came to Malta for a short period at first. She was so enchanted by the sunny island however, that she is still living there today, and has been enjoying the international flair and sunny weather ever since. Esther has a background in Customer Support, iGaming, and HR. She started with SpotOn Connections in July 2018, rising through the ranks thanks to her grit and determination. In 2023, she also moved to our iGaming branch, as one of our Recruitment Managers, using her extensive experience to lead from the front!

    Visit Esther's LinkedIn profile

    Esther@bettingconnections.com
  • Margarida Machado
    Recruitment Team Leader
    Margarida is Portuguese and joined us in SpotOn Connections Cascais in Spring 2018. With an extensive background in HR, including a Master’s from Lisbon University, Margarida brings knowledge and experience with which she guides both her expert team of recruiters and many talented candidates. Margarida has always enjoyed travelling, learning about new cultures and practicing beach spots. Her open-minded approach to recruitment as well as years of experience mean that she will almost certainly find a cutting-edge solution to your recruitment needs.

    Over the years Margarida was focusing on IT and iGaming roles and in 2023 she officially waves Betting Connections flag.

    Visit Margarida's LinkedIn profile

    Margarida@bettingconnections.com
  • Nuria De La Fuente
    Senior Talent Acquisition Partner
    As General Manager, Nuria is responsible for overseeing the operations of both Betting Connections and SpotOn Connections. She leads the teams in the development and execution of strategic plans to meet the recruitment needs of their clients in the iGaming, FinTech, E-commerce and Corporate industries.
    Nuria joined the company in 2013 as a Recruiter in the SpotOn Connections office based in Malta. Her hard work and dedication have contributed to the success of the company and her outstanding achievements.

    Visit Nuria's LinkedIn profile

    Nuria@bettingconnections.com

Meet our Consultants

  • Ciro Cangiano
    Recruiter
    Ciro is from Napoli, Italy and has a background in Human Resources and Customer Support. He joined Betting Connections in August 2022.
    Visit Ciro's LinkedIn profile

    ciro@bettingconnections.com
  • Javier Carvi Masdeu
    Senior Recruiter
    Born and raised in a small town in Spain, and attracted by his different interests and curiosities, Javier decided to redirect his path by taking the opportunity to start his professional career as a recruiter in Cascais, Portugal. His friends describe him as a friendly person full of vitality who is always spreading his positive energy around him. Javier enjoys travelling and meeting new people with whom he can share different experiences and perspectives.

    Visit Javiers LinkedIn profile

    Javier@bettingconnections.com
  • Shannon Pahal
    Recruitment Consultant
    Shannon is a master at time management and organisation, due to no small part to being a mother. A British national, she has been living in Gozo since 2021. Her experience in retail and customer support contribute heavily to her skills in recruitment. Shannon values individual approach towards every candidate and client.

    On a personal note, Shannon is a big Hip-Hop fan and is known for her moves across the dance floor. She joined SpotOn Connections in January 2022, and then moved to our Betting Connections branch in June 2023. Shannon is based in our hub in Gozo.

    Visit Shannon's LinkedIn profile

    Shannon@bettingconnections.com
  • Luiza Gogulska
    Recruiter
    From Poland, Luiza came to the beautiful island of Gozo in July 2022, when she also joined SpotOn Connections. Having worked in banking and desiring a change and challenge, she plunged into the world of Recruitment. Luiza is an adventurous spirit, enjoying Gozo’s many beaches and practicing cooking in her free time. In June 2023, she moved to our Betting Connections branch.

    Visit Luiza's LinkedIn profile

    Luiza@bettingconnections.com
  • Joanna Łukaszewska
    Trainee Recruiter
    Joanna is from Poland and joined our Betting Connections office in March 2023. A dog owner and a big lover of animals, Joanna has a strong background in customer service & team leadership, and is eager to build experience in Recruitment! Joanna made a huge impact from day one with us and offers great service to her candidates.

    Visit Joanna's LinkedIn profile

    Joanna@bettingconnections.com
  • Nick Lavric
    Trainee Recruiter
    Nick is a Romanian native who recently made the exciting move to Malta at the beginning of April. With a diverse background in sales and warehouse management, Nick is also a dedicated kick-boxer, having honed his skills over the past five years. His diverse background and excellent communication skills make him a pleasure to work with. His passion for kickboxing reflects his determination and discipline, which extends to his professional approach.

    Visit Nick's LinkedIn profile

    Nick@bettingconnections.com

Our Founders

  • Duarte Amado & Frederico Formigal
    Managing Director & COO Respectively

    Our founders combined their extensive recruitment and iGaming knowledge to set up a service that responded to a demand in the market for a ‘true recruitment consultancy’! Duarte and Frederico have guided Betting Connections from strength to strength over the years, both taking a very hands on approach to ensuring all of our staff have the resources, training and knowledge needed to provide the highest possible level of service to our clients and candidates alike.


    Visit Duarte’s LinkedIn profile

    Visit Fred’s LinkedIn profile


Meet our Operations and Administration Team

  • Gosia Pluta
    Head of Growth & Marketing
    Gosia started her career at Betting Connections as part of our International Internship Programme in 2014 before being employed on a full time basis, and is now an iGaming Recruitment Manager. Prior to Betting Connections, she completed a Master's Degree in Media and Communications, her primary research area being on Recruitment and Selection. Gosia speaks Polish and English at a fluent level, and enjoys water sports and networking in her free time.
    Visit Gosia's LinkedIn profile

    gosia@bettingconnections.com
  • Sofia Castelbranco
    Head of People Development & HR
    Fluent in 5 different languages, a mother two children and two cats, Sofia is also a passionate photographer and DIY hobbyist. Sofia joined our team through our international internship programme. Before that, she was an HR consultant, project manager, flight attendant and many others, which helped guide her to leaving her home and joining the recruitment industry. Sofia also has read a degree in Social and Organizational Psychology at ISCTE, and a Music Course in the National Conservatorium. She plants her own vegetables in her free time, and fights for the environment by riding her own electrical bike to work.
    Visit Sofia's LinkedIn profile
    sofia@bettingconnections.com
  • Samwel Farrugia
    Content and Social Media Manager
    Samwel joined Betting Connections in September 2019. He has a background in the written word and graduated in Communications at the University of Malta in 2018. Sam loves sketching, writing, and playing piano, and is always interested in trying new, exciting things.
    Visit Samwel's LinkedIn profile

    sam@bettingconnections.com
  • João Tiago Figueiredo
    Head of Finance
  • Julia Stefaniak
    Partnerships Executive
    Julia joined the Connections Group in January 2020 and brings with her experience in Customer Support. She has studied at Jagiellonian University in Poland and has a Master's in International Relations & Affairs.
    Visit Julia’s LinkedIn profile

    julia@bettingconnections.com
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