An educator by profession, Emil Vassallo has served in different roles in the Malta Public Service for the past 32 years. He was teacher, adult educator, Head of School, College Principal and Director General within the Education Division. Following his departure from the education sector, for the past two and a half years, he served as Director General within the Local Government Division and led the team supporting 68 local councils and 6 regional councils. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Malta, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership as well as Master of Science in ICT in Education. He values positive professional relationships and his special interests include training and professional development and digitalisation of services available to the public and corporate clients. In his free time, he engages in amateur distance running up to marathon distances. 

In June 2026, Mr Vassallo was appointed Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Local Government and Public Works.