Adrian Hillman Resigned from Allied Newspapers because of “Breakdown of Trust”

The Times of Malta is currently celebrating its 90th anniversary. However, little attention has been given to its more recent history. This site is informed that Adrian Hillman resigned on 25 May 2016 as Managing Director of Allied Newspapers Ltd, following weeks of internal tensions and what he described as a “constructive dismissal” brought about by a breakdown of trust with the company’s board of directors. In fact, Hillman directly criticised how the Times Board of Directors conducted internal investigations.

This site is informed that Hillman wrote a strongly worded letter addressed to the board and Acting Managing Director Michael Rizzo. In this letter, he criticised the handling of disciplinary proceedings against him and raised concerns over confidentiality and governance within the organisation.

Hillman stated that he had repeatedly requested to be kept informed about issues affecting the company, but claimed that decisions continued to be taken without his knowledge or proper consultation. “This looks like Alice in Wonderland,” he wrote, accusing the board of undermining his role and failing to respect proper corporate procedures.

He also questioned the company’s ability to act reasonably, pointing to what he described as a lack of due process and transparency. “If the company wishes to subject me to disciplinary procedures, then it should carry out a proper hearing in line with employment law,” he argued, adding that any such process should be conducted “openly and fairly” with the full knowledge of all directors.

In his letter, Hillman maintained that the atmosphere within Allied Newspapers had become untenable, with employees and managers placed in what he described as “an environment of confusion and mistrust.” He accused certain board members of bypassing established structures and eroding the company’s principle of confidentiality.

The resignation came amid mounting controversy surrounding Allied Newspapers, publishers of the Times of Malta, during a period of scrutiny over editorial independence and financial governance.

“I must construe the company’s conduct as a constructive dismissal,” Hillman wrote in his closing remarks, formally stepping down from his role. “I am being forced to resign, and I feel it was no option but to tender my resignation.”

Moreover, Hillman praised Kurt Sansone, Ivan Camilleri, and Mark Micallef. In his view, the Times should have cultivated its talents and done everything possible to ensure they remained within the company, describing them as an asset to the organisation and Maltese journalism.

In his resignation letter, Adrian Hillman also mentioned serious concerns over managing funds at Progress Press. He pointed to a case in which a machine was purchased for over €1.1 million but was used for only twenty hours before being replaced in what he described as an “irrational part exchange.” Hillman argued that this highlighted the lack of accountability in past procurement decisions, which had led to significant financial depreciation for the company. He noted that during his tenure as Joint Managing Director, the board of directors became directly involved in reviewing and overseeing such purchases for the first time, with external experts and auditing firms engaged to ensure greater transparency and accountability in selecting new machinery.

Hillman, who led Allied Newspapers for a decade between 2006 and 2016, said he hoped his departure would allow the organisation to refocus on its mission. However, he regretted how the breakdown with the board had unfolded.