Ms Maria Cauchi Delia

Chief Executive Officer of the Malta Institute of Accountants

Maria Cauchi Delia is the Chief Executive Officer of the Malta Institute of Accountants, the sole professional accountancy body in Malta. In her role, she leads the institution in the fulfilment of its strategic objectives, in advising national and international institutions in matters concerning the profession and the wider financial industry and represents the MIA in its engagements with key stakeholders at both national and international level.

As a certified public accountant, Ms Cauchi Delia brings extensive expertise gained from her diverse experience in both the public and private sectors, having worked in various institutions in Malta and abroad. She holds a degree from the University of Malta and is a Fellow Member of the Malta Institute of Accountants.

Mr Mark Bugeja

President of the Malta Institute of Accountants

Mark Bugeja is the President of the Malta Institute of Accountants, which, along the MIA council, sets the overall direction of the Institute and ensures that it continues to develop in line with its mission and values.

Mark is currently the Managing Partner of Grant Thornton and has been practicing, mainly in the field of auditing, since he completed the B.A. (Hons) Accountancy course at the University of Malta in 1987.

Mr Joseph Caruana

Commissioner for Tax and Customs at Malta Tax and Customs Administration

Mr Joseph Caruana began his career with the Public Service in 1977. Along the years he progressed through the ranks and served in various roles, namely as Director Corporate Services within the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs, as Head of the Maltese Paying Agency and as Director General for Fisheries.

From 2013 up to 2021 he served as Permanent Secretary within the Ministry for Education and Employment, the Ministry for Finance and Financial Services and the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects respectively, wherein he brought about a number of reforms and was responsible for the implementation of various strategies, polices and projects.

Mr Caruana was appointed Commissioner for Tax and Customs on 1st February 2022 wherein he is implementing the digital transformation of the Malta Tax and Customs Administration.

Dr Geraldine Spiteri Lucas

Registrar and Chief Executive Officer at the Malta Business Registry

Dr Geraldine Spiteri Lucas is a lawyer by profession and is currently the Registrar of Companies, the Registrar of other Legal Persons, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Malta Business Registry. She sits as member and representative of the European Region on the executive committee of the Corporate Registries Forum, which brings together registries from all across the globe. Dr Spiteri Lucas is also a member of the board of examiners for the Department of Commercial Law at the University of Malta.

Mr Joseph Farrugia

Director General of the Malta Employers’ Association

Mr Joseph Farrugia has occupied the post of Director General of the Malta Employers’ Association since 2001. He is also a visiting lecturer at the Department of Marketing at the University of Malta.

Mr Farrugia has extensive experience in marketing consultancy and human resources management. Between 2010 and 2013 he served as President of the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, which is the major vocational education institution in Malta.

Mr. Farrugia sits on the board of directors of JobsPlus, the Employment Relations Board and represents the MEA on the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development. He also represents employers on panels of the Industrial Tribunal.

He has represented Maltese employers on a number of international fora, amongst them the Board of Directors of the European Foundation for the Improvement in Living and Working Conditions, the European Social Fund, SGI Europe and the International Organisation of Employers.

Mr Farrugia is known in cultural circles as an artist. He has organised numerous exhibitions of his paintings in various venues in Malta and abroad.

Mr Alfred Zammit

Director at the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit

Alfred Zammit is the Director of the FIAU. He joined the Unit in 2010 and today plays a crucial role in providing strategic direction, ensuring the effective execution of its responsibilities under Maltese law and in accordance with international standards.

He regularly and actively engages in AML/CFT international workshops and conferences, representing the FIAU in prominent international forums. These include meetings of the Egmont Group of FIUs, the EU FIU Platform, and the European Banking Authority's Anti-Money Laundering Standing Committee. Moreover, he serves as a Moneyval assessor and plays an active role in the Moneyval working group and plenary meetings.

Mr Zammit frequently participates in the delivery of AML/CFT training, both locally and internationally. He has made substantial contributions to Malta’s National ML/TF risk assessments and serves as a key liaison with international bodies.

Internally, he also serves as the chairperson of various FIAU committees, including the Compliance Monitoring Committee, which diligently reviews compliance cases and potential breaches of relevant legislation by subject persons.

Mr Zammit earned a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) in Management and Economics from the University of Malta in 2005. His professional journey commenced at the Central Bank of Malta, where he analyzed and assessed data from institutions in both bank and non-bank financial sectors, contributing to the assessment of the economy's financial stability. Prior to joining the FIAU, he gained valuable experience in the private sector, specializing in the provision of company services.

Mr Kenneth Farrugia

Chief Executive Officer at the MFSA

Kenneth Farrugia, currently CEO of the MFSA and Chairman of the FIAU, is a qualified Certified Public Accountant with a Bachelor of Accountancy (Hons) and an MA in Business Ethics. He has held various audit positions in both private firms and the public sector, demonstrating significant financial acumen and experience.

Mr Michael Bianchi

Chairperson of the MIA Sustainable Finance Committee, and Director (Financial Services Industry) at Deloitte Malta

With well over 15 years of working experience, Michael is specialised in Investment Management Services working within Deloitte's Financial Services Practice. During this time Michael worked for two years with Deloitte in London, managing a number of multi-national companies in the Insurance and Investments Management Practice prior to returning to Deloitte Malta in 2009.

Michael services a broad client base both locally and internationally and is responsible for the statutory and non-statutory audits of a number of clients, including Collective Investment Schemes, Investment Management Companies and Fund Administrators as well as other regulated and non-regulated entities.

Michael coordinates various international engagements where he has developed numerous connections within the Deloitte Network. Michael also Chaired the FSI sub-Committee at the Malta Institute of Accountants for two years and is now Chairing the Sustainable Finance sub-Committee at the Institute.

Michael is conversant with the technical accounting and reporting requirements for a wide-range of financial instruments and derivative products under IFRS.

Michael has a good understanding and appreciation of Information Technology (IT).

Mr Norbert Vella

Member of the MIA Sustainable Finance Strategy, Reporting and Assurance Working Groups, and Assurance Partner at PwC Malta

Norbert is a Partner at PwC Malta and has over 16 years of experience in matters related to the financial sector including extensive consultation experience in relation to financial services regulation within the local banking sector.

Norbert leads the banking advisory practice of PwC Malta and is well versed with the ongoing developments in respect of the management and supervision of ESG risks for credit institutions and the wider financial services community. He is also leading PwC Malta’s ESG Reporting and Assurance initiatives.

“Think long-term, consume responsibly”

Ms Kate De Cesare

Chief Sustainability Officer at Eden Leisure Group

As CSO at Eden Leisure Group, Kate drives sustainability initiatives for long-term value. With an MA in Marketing Communications from Westminster University, she's been a cornerstone of the company since 2000, transitioning from marketing to COO, and now leads ESG strategy. Trained at Cambridge University's Institute for Sustainability Leadership, she ensures the group’s alignment with ethical governance principles.

Mr Giancarlo Millo

Group Chief Internal Auditor & Chairperson of the ESG Steering Committee at Mizzi Organisation

Giancarlo is currently the Group Chief Internal Auditor for Mizzi Organisation, one of the largest Maltese organisations spanning a broad portfolio of business interests and industry sectors. He has also been appointed as the Whistleblowing Reporting Officer and as Chairperson of the ESG Steering Committee for the Group.

He previously held the post of Deputy Group Head Internal Audit at FIMBank plc. This was preceded by management accounting and financial auditing positions with KPMG and Portman International respectively, thus achieving close to 30 years’ experience across various roles and industries.

Giancarlo also serves as Treasurer for The Institute of Internal Auditors – Malta Chapter and is a Past President of the ISACA Malta Chapter.

Mr Stephen L. Muscat

Chairperson of the MIA Professional Accountants in Business (PAIB) Group

Stephen L Muscat is currently the Chairman of the PAIB Committee of the MIA, as well as a member of the PAIBG Committee of IFAC, the International Federation of Accountants.

Mr Muscat is the CFO of Liquigas Malta Limited, operating in the energy market in Malta, a company he joined in 2009.

Mr Michael Warrington

 Chief Executive Officer at AX Group plc

Michael Warrington is a highly experienced executive who has worked across several industries over the course of his 45 year career. Michael is a Certified Public Accountant, a Fellow of the Malta Institute of Accountants, and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in the United Kingdom. He holds an MA in Financial Services at the University of Malta. He currently serves as CEO for AX Group plc, one of Malta’s leading corporations operating chiefly in construction, development, healthcare, hospitality and the renewable energy field.

Over and above his involvement with the AX Group, Michael serves as a director on the Board of Directors of a number of private, regulated and public listed companies both in Malta and internationally. He currently is a director of Cablenet Communications Systems Plc, AX Group Plc, AX Real Estate Plc, AX Investments Plc, , Nissan International Insurance Ltd, Novum Bank Limited, Higher Ground Sicav Plc, Together Gaming Solutions Plc and Valletta Cruise Port Plc.

Mr Malcolm Camilleri

Deputy Chief Executive Officer at PG plc

Mr Malcolm Camilleri is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of PG plc, a listed Maltese company which holds a lead-ing market position in the FMCG sector as well as the local textile industry.

A Certified Public Accountant and a fellow Member of both the Institute of Accountants and Association of Char-tered Certified Accountants, he sits on the Board of Directors of various PG plc owned companies.

Mr. Camilleri joined PG Group in 2006 as Chief Financial Officer following a 3-year experience at an audit firm. His expertise includes business development, auditing, strategic planning, financial accounting and business analysis. He is also a resourceful individual and the company’s driving force in generating new ideas and devising feasible solu-tions to more efficient operational processes while maintaining a positive and proactive attitude.

"Sustainability has to be a way of life to be a way of business."

Mr Nikhil Patil

Chief Executive Officer at Go plc

Nikhil Patil is a seasoned professional with over 20 years’ experience in mergers & acquisitions, strategy and operations in TMT industry. Currently Group CEO at GO plc, a quad-play communications operator in Malta & Cyprus.

He is actively involved at Board level in Cablenet in Cyprus and BMITT in Malta, both of which are part of the GO Group. Before joining GO, Nikhil was responsible for the creation of Malta Properties Company p.l.c., today one of the largest publicly listed real estate companies in Malta, where he served as CEO until 2018. Prior to this, he held senior positions, with Interoute, EIT, Dubai Holdings and Marakon Associates.

He has a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Mumbai, India, a Master's degree in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from IMD, Switzerland. Mr. Patil is a Charter Financial Analyst (CFA).

Ms Maria Micallef

Director

Maria Micallef was the Managing Partner at RSM Malta until her retirement in December 2020. Maria specialised in business advisory services including mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, valuations, and investment appraisals. Maria is a nonexecutive director on the Boards of HSBC Bank Malta plc and PG plc. She is a visiting lecturer at the University of Malta. Currently Maria is pursuing studies and following a Degree in Humanities at the same University.

Maria has a B.A. Hons Accountancy degree and is a Certified Public Accountant. She is a fellow of the Malta Institute of Accountants, a member of the US Institute of Internal Auditors and a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Maria served as President of the Malta Institute of Accountants during the period 2013 to 2015.

Mr Marco Vassallo

Digital Solutions Partner at KPMG

Marco is a dynamic leader with over 28 years of experience at the forefront of digital innovation. As one of the heads of the Digital Solutions team at KPMG, he is dedicated to spearheading digital transformation initiatives that empower organisations to unlock unprecedented value through holistic technology solutions.

Marco’s career has been marked by a number of diverse projects, each contributing to his deep understanding of the ever-evolving digital landscape. This wealth of experience has honed his ability to adapt swiftly to emerging trends and technologies, ensuring that his team consistently deliver innovative solutions that drive tangible results.

One of Marco’s greatest strengths lies in his agility, allowing him to navigate complex challenges with precision. Whether it's streamlining processes, implementing cutting-edge technologies, or optimising existing systems, he thrives on finding the most effective pathways to success. Quality is the cornerstone of Marco’s work ethic. He takes immense pride in ensuring that every project, from inception to execution, meets the highest standards of excellence. This unwavering commitment to quality is a testament to his dedication to achieving lasting, impactful results for the organisations he serves.

In a digital world that is constantly evolving, KPMG is the advisory firm organisations turn to for visionary guidance, transformative solutions, and a proven track record of success. Marco’s passion for driving digital innovation knows no bounds, and he looks forward to continuing to shape the future of technology-driven business.

Mr Charles Falzon

Chief Financial Officer at Foster Clark Products Limited

Charles Falzon currently holds the position of CFO at Foster Clark, has extensive experience in various industries including food and beverage, software development and automotive.

He also worked at one of the Big Four audit firms as a lead expert for the Finance Function effectiveness area.

Charles’ key competencies revolve around business planning, financial accounting, process optimisation and business transformation.

Mr Trevor Sammut

Senior Technology Architect at the Malta Digital Innovation Authority

Trevor Sammut is the Senior Technology Architect at the Malta Digital Innovation Authority and is responsible for the various aspect of reviews of various kinds of innovative technology, its practical application, design and function. Mr Sammut also handled the Authorisations, Compliance, and Enforcement functions of the Authority always with a focus on technology first.

Mr. Sammut’s experience includes over eight years as an ICT Applications Officer for the Ministry for Health engaged in the implementation of large-scale ICT Projects for the various business requirements related to Healthcare systems. He was responsible for project management related to IT networks and ICT infrastructure as well as detailed technical consultancy for the commissioning and implementation of healthcare projects. The Information Management Unit within the Ministry for Health interacted with a potential user-base of approximately 10,000 users.

Previously, Trevor spent nine years as a Police Inspector in the Malta Police Force handling Police/EU/Europol ICT Projects, ICT Department and IT team management within a high-security ICT Infrastructure and environment. He also steered and guided high-level management projects and systems, mostly related to national security.

Mr Jonathan Caruana

Chief Technology Office at APS Bank

Jonathan joined the Bank in 1999 and was appointed to his present role in November 2016. He held various senior managerial positions in technology. He was appointed Information Systems Manager in 2008 and Head of Technology in 2015. Jonathan is responsible for both the technology and digital innovation domains of the Bank. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Computing from the University of Greenwich and an MSc in Software Engineering from the University of Hertfordshire.

Mr Julian Azzopardi

Chief Executive Officer of Up Your Level

Julian is CEO of UP Limited, a boutique business leadership and performance coaching service provider. Julian is also a Vistage Malta Chair, part of the global Vistage franchise providing peer-to-peer executive, small business and CEO coaching.

Prior to joining UP Limited, Julian was CEO at Junior Achievement Malta (Formerly Young Enterprise).

Julian holds a Cum Laude Masters degree in Socio-Economic Development and undergraduate degree in International Relations.

Julian has spent over 10 years living, working and volunteering abroad with the European Commission in Brussels, the UNODC in Vienna, the University of Kwazulu Natal in South Africa and the Missionaries of Charity across three continents. Julian is the only Maltese recipient of the JCI Top Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World Awardee for humanitarian and voluntary leadership.

Mr Charles Xuereb

Deputy Chairperson of the MIA PAIB Group and Chief Executive Officer Trident Estates plc

Charles Xuereb, B.A. (Hons) Accty, CPA, FIA, MIM, was appointed CEO of Trident Estates plc in 2017. After graduating in Accountancy in 1991, Mr Xuereb started off his professional career with PricewaterhouseCoopers. He joined Simonds Farsons Cisk plc in 1995 and between 2005-2017 served as Group CFO. Since 2013, held the position of President of the Malta Association of Credit Management and sits on the Board of Administrators of the Central Business District Foundation.

Mr Ronald Mizzi

Chief Financial Officer at APS Bank plc

Ronald Mizzi is currently the Chief Financial Officer at APS Bank plc. Prior to this he worked at FIMBank plc, having spent his earlier career with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Malta, the Channel Islands and New York. Ronald is a Council Member and Fellow of the Malta Institute of Accountants, also sitting on the Financial Services and Sustainable Finance sub-committees.

Mr Kenneth Farrugia

Chief Executive Officer at Bank of Valletta plc

Kenneth Farrugia is the Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Valletta plc. He sits on the Board of Directors of the Bank as an Executive Director, chairs the Executive Committee and is a member of several management committees. Kenneth is a director on the Board of Directors of BOV Fund Services Limited, BOV Asset Management Limited and MAPFRE Middle Sea Valletta Life Assurance plc. Kenneth also sits on the Board of the Malta Bankers Association.

Kenneth began his career at Bank of Valletta in 1985. Over this period, he has occupied various executive positions covering the bank’s asset management, retail banking and credit business areas. He also occupied various financial services related industry positions to include the Chair of the Malta Asset Servicing Association, a board member of the European Fund and Asset Management Association as well as the Chair of FinanceMalta, Malta’s national promotional body for the financial services industry. He was also the Chair of Malita Investments plc, which is listed on the Malta Stock Exchange. Kenneth is a Harvard Business School Alumnus, having completed a General Management Program at Harvard Business School in the US.

Ms Joyce Grech

Head of Commercial Banking at HSBC Bank Malta plc

Joyce Grech has occupied the role of Head of Commercial Banking, HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c. for the past 4 years. She leads a team of 80 individuals who handle relationships with the Bank’s commercial customers, with a strong focus on meeting customer needs.

Throughout her 27 year career with HSBC, Joyce has worked in various other areas of the organisation, predominantly in Risk where she was Chief Risk Officer for 7 years and in Personal Banking where she led the Customer Value Management team.

She also spent some time working at the London Head Office of the HSBC Group. A strong supporter of diversity and inclusion in its various forms, she is the chairperson of the bank’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

She is particularly involved in gender diversity and aims to support female colleagues through mentoring and other initiatives and activities.

Mr George Debono

Chief Commercial Officer at BNF Bank

In his role, Mr Debono leads the Retail Banking, Commercial Banking, Business Development and Treasury Departments.

Mr Debono has over 25 years’ experience in the banking sector, during which he occupied various senior management roles, predominantly within Commercial Banking, Retail Banking and Risk. In 2010, Mr Debono was entrusted with the establishment and management of HSBC Malta's first Premier Centre. Subsequently, he held various senior roles within HSBC Malta's Commercial Banking, heading its International Banking Unit, Mid-Market Enterprises and Corporate Real Estate and Hotels.