When Marika Azzopardi arrived for her first day at Salus with a carefully prepared lunch and asked where she could find the fridge, her new colleagues quickly discovered how important health and fitness were to her. None of them could have predicted where that passion would eventually lead.

Ten years later, Marika combines her role as a Technical Administrator at Salus with two other careers—as a personal trainer and a qualified soft tissue therapist supporting academy and senior footballers.

It is an unusual balance, but one that Marika says has only been possible because of the understanding and flexibility she has received throughout her time at Salus.

From Malta to Salus

Originally from Malta, Marika moved to the UK more than 20 years ago. After initially living and working in West Sussex, she relocated to London and joined Salus in August 2016.

Although she already had considerable administrative experience, it was the culture surrounding the role that made the strongest first impression.

“Straight away, you could feel that you were part of a team,” Marika explains. “You didn’t feel like you were just another number.”

That sense of belonging became increasingly important as Marika began developing another area of her life.

Having always been passionate about training, she enrolled on a personal training course and qualified less than a year after joining Salus. As her client base grew, Salus enabled her to gradually reduce her working hours, initially from 40 to 25 and later to 19 hours each week.

“I mainly do personal training in the mornings and then work with Salus later in the day,” she says. “They have been amazing and incredibly flexible with me.”

Building a Third Career

Marika’s ambitions did not stop with personal training. In March 2025, she completed a diploma in soft tissue therapy. Soon afterwards, she took a massage table into the gym where she worked to spend an hour promoting her new skills. That single hour created an opportunity she could never have anticipated.

A visitor to the gym approached Marika and explained that his organisation was looking for a massage therapist. Initially, she assumed he represented a local football team. She later discovered that the independent training academy worked with footballers from Premier League academy environments.

“I couldn’t believe what I was hearing,” she recalls. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think an opportunity like that would come from spending one hour promoting my new skills at the gym.”

Marika began providing soft tissue therapy to academy and senior players attending strength and conditioning sessions in West Hampstead.

In June 2026, the opportunity took her to Portugal, where she spent ten days as part of the recovery team at a pre-season training camp involving 34 academy and senior players. “It was an incredible experience and probably my biggest achievement,” she says.

The experience also carried a deeply personal significance. Marika’s father had always been proud of everything she was achieving, but sadly passed away earlier in the year.

“My father was so proud of me,” she says. “I only wish I could have come home and told him all about it.”

What Does a Technical Administrator Do at Salus?

Away from the gym and training ground, Marika plays an important role in helping Salus’s building control projects progress efficiently.

Working as a dedicated Technical Administrator, she supports a building inspector throughout the administrative life of their projects. This can include setting up new jobs, preparing initial notices, coordinating documentation and communicating with local authorities.

Marika also monitors the information needed as a project progresses, helping ensure plan checks, fees, dutyholder information and other required documentation are identified and followed up at the appropriate time.

“Inspectors are extremely busy, and they are often out completing site inspections,” she explains. “Our role is to keep on top of the administration and make sure they know what is required.”

Although much of this work happens behind the scenes, accurate and timely administration can affect everyone involved in a project. “You need to do your job properly so it doesn’t impact other people or the work further down the line,” Marika says. “The information has to be clear, complete and sent out on time.”

Ten Years of Change

The Technical Administrator role has changed considerably since Marika joined Salus.

“When I started, we still printed plans and placed everything into large project folders, it is online now, which makes some things easier, but there is also much more administration because the law and regulations have changed.”

One of the most significant transitions was the introduction of Microsoft 365 shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the team was still becoming accustomed to the new system, its introduction meant colleagues could quickly move to remote working when restrictions began.

Salus helped employees establish suitable home-working environments, supplying equipment and maintaining communication throughout a period of unprecedented disruption.

The greater flexibility that followed has also helped Marika manage her three different careers. Her working week can now include personal training in the morning, her Salus responsibilities during the day and soft tissue therapy sessions during evenings and weekends.

Supported Professionally and Personally

Marika believes flexibility only works when it is supported by good communication, accessible information and strong working relationships.

Regular Technical Administrator meetings allow colleagues to discuss changing requirements, share knowledge and learn from one another. She also credits the support provided by her managers whenever she encounters something unfamiliar.

“If I’m unsure about anything, I know I can speak to Jenni and we will work through it together, the support is always there.”

That support has extended beyond Marika’s professional development.

When her father became seriously ill in Malta, Salus worked with her to find an appropriate arrangement that allowed her to be with her family while continuing to manage her responsibilities.

For Marika, moments such as these explain why her relationship with Salus has lasted for a decade.

“You’re not just an employee, they really care for you.”

Another Ten Years

Marika’s three careers may appear very different, but each depends on many of the same qualities: discipline, organisation, consistency and helping other people move forward.

At Salus, she helps inspectors and projects remain on track. As a personal trainer, she helps people work towards their fitness goals. As a soft tissue therapist, she supports athletes with their training and recovery.

Ten years after arriving with her carefully prepared lunch, Marika remains every bit as committed to health and fitness—but her journey has taken her far beyond anything she imagined on that first day.

So, what comes next?

“I would like to stay for another ten years. Salus gives me stability, but more importantly, it keeps me part of an incredible company.”

Congratulations on ten years at Salus, Marika.