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We bring together Malta’s finance community and help it move forward. Our line-up of speakers and panelists includes C-level executives from Malta and abroad, EU policymakers, Government representatives, officials of global standard-setting organisations, renowned academics, and researchers. From sector leaders to new challengers, from established companies to fast-growing start-ups, all our speakers are ready to share best practices and actionable insights on industry-moving trends. Hear what they have to say about the future of financial services – locally and globally.
Deborah Webster
Conference Chair
Deborah is the CEO of intelle.co, a search and leadership firm operating at the intersection of leadership, innovation and impact.
Deborah has over 20 years of experience identifying and developing leaders for financial institutions and private equity firms, advising high-net-worth families on succession and creating wealth aligned with family values and protecting the goodwill of the family name. She also has experience working with communities living on less than $2 a day, especially in tackling water poverty.
Deborah has seen first-hand what’s truly possible when you enable and align the brilliance of human beings with financial capital. She believes it’s time for financial institutions to take the lead in creating a more sustainable and equitable future.
Deborah is the CEO of intelle.co, a search and leadership firm operating at the intersection of leadership, innovation and impact.
Deborah has over 20 years of experience identifying and developing leaders for financial institutions and private equity firms, advising high-net-worth families on succession and creating wealth aligned with family values and protecting the goodwill of the family name. She also has experience working with communities living on less than $2 a day, especially in tackling water poverty.
Deborah has seen first-hand what’s truly possible when you enable and align the brilliance of human beings with financial capital. She believes it’s time for financial institutions to take the lead in creating a more sustainable and equitable future.
George Vella
FinanceMalta Chairman
Mr. Vella has over 15 years experience in corporate and project finance, research and development, strategic and project management, starting his career in 1995 at PwC where he worked in assurance, advisory and risk management arms .
In 2001 he joined the Corinthia Group and fulfilled a number of roles both locally and abroad, including that of Finance Director at the Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal in Budapest and Corporate Finance Executive at the Corinthia Head Office. Tasks included business planning and budgeting processes, feasibility studies and acquisition bids, the implementation of a standard accounting package, raising of funds for project and corporate finance.
In 2005, he took on the role of Head of Corporate Strategy at APS Bank and was a member on the Bank’s risk management and credit committees.
At Grant Thornton, George and his team provide a variety of services including financial control, internal audit, evaluation services, assistance in the preparation of business plans, feasibility studies and cost benefit analyses, business valuations, assistance with mergers and acquisitions, project finance and corporate finance advisory services.
Apart from the management and leadership of the firm’s advisory practice, George also still holds various technical roles in high profile advisory assignments, including EU funding projects and applications as well as fund raising for the private sector, both through negotiating bank loans or raising private equity, and through assisting in public equity and bond listing.
Mr. Vella has over 15 years experience in corporate and project finance, research and development, strategic and project management, starting his career in 1995 at PwC where he worked in assurance, advisory and risk management arms .
In 2001 he joined the Corinthia Group and fulfilled a number of roles both locally and abroad, including that of Finance Director at the Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal in Budapest and Corporate Finance Executive at the Corinthia Head Office. Tasks included business planning and budgeting processes, feasibility studies and acquisition bids, the implementation of a standard accounting package, raising of funds for project and corporate finance.
In 2005, he took on the role of Head of Corporate Strategy at APS Bank and was a member on the Bank’s risk management and credit committees.
At Grant Thornton, George and his team provide a variety of services including financial control, internal audit, evaluation services, assistance in the preparation of business plans, feasibility studies and cost benefit analyses, business valuations, assistance with mergers and acquisitions, project finance and corporate finance advisory services.
Apart from the management and leadership of the firm’s advisory practice, George also still holds various technical roles in high profile advisory assignments, including EU funding projects and applications as well as fund raising for the private sector, both through negotiating bank loans or raising private equity, and through assisting in public equity and bond listing.
Hon. Dr. Roberta Metsola
President of the European Parliament
President Roberta Metsola was first elected to the European Parliament in 2013, becoming one of Malta's first female Members of the European Parliament. Metsola was re-elected in 2014 and then again in 2019. In 2020 she was elected as the First Vice-President of the European Parliament.
Professionally she is a lawyer who has specialised in European law and politics.
Prior to her election as a MEP, President Metsola served within the Permanent Representation of Malta to the European Union and later as the legal advisor to the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
President Roberta Metsola was first elected to the European Parliament in 2013, becoming one of Malta's first female Members of the European Parliament. Metsola was re-elected in 2014 and then again in 2019. In 2020 she was elected as the First Vice-President of the European Parliament.
Professionally she is a lawyer who has specialised in European law and politics.
Prior to her election as a MEP, President Metsola served within the Permanent Representation of Malta to the European Union and later as the legal advisor to the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Dr. Gordon Cordina
Economist and Chairman, Bank of Valletta plc
Dr Gordon Cordina is a leading economist in the Maltese Islands, with a professional experience spanning 25 years covering banking, policy-making, academia and private sector consultancy. He is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and the University of Malta. His main area of academic interest is the growth and macroeconomic dynamics facing economies that are prone to heightened risks.
Gordon has several years of Board and Risk Committee experience in major financial institutions in Malta, amongst which at Bank of Valletta. He served as Manager of the Research Department of the Central Bank of Malta, Director General of the National Statistics Office of Malta, Head of the Economics Department of the University of Malta and Economic Advisor to the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development. Through the private consultancy firm he co-founded in 2006, he is involved in a number of local and international research projects and consultancy assignments with institutions including the EU Commission, NGOs and private sector entities. Gordon is a visiting senior lecturer at the University of Malta.
He was appointed Chairman of the Bank of Valletta in October 2020, of Mapfre MSV Life in September 2021 and director of Mapfre Middlesea in September 2022.
Dr Gordon Cordina is a leading economist in the Maltese Islands, with a professional experience spanning 25 years covering banking, policy-making, academia and private sector consultancy. He is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and the University of Malta. His main area of academic interest is the growth and macroeconomic dynamics facing economies that are prone to heightened risks.
Gordon has several years of Board and Risk Committee experience in major financial institutions in Malta, amongst which at Bank of Valletta. He served as Manager of the Research Department of the Central Bank of Malta, Director General of the National Statistics Office of Malta, Head of the Economics Department of the University of Malta and Economic Advisor to the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development. Through the private consultancy firm he co-founded in 2006, he is involved in a number of local and international research projects and consultancy assignments with institutions including the EU Commission, NGOs and private sector entities. Gordon is a visiting senior lecturer at the University of Malta.
He was appointed Chairman of the Bank of Valletta in October 2020, of Mapfre MSV Life in September 2021 and director of Mapfre Middlesea in September 2022.
Dr. Marcus Pleyer
Former President Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
Dr. Marcus Pleyer served as the first 2-year President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) from 1 July 2020 till 30 June 2022, after having been FATF Vice-President (July 2019–June 2020) and Head of the German delegation to FATF (2016–July 2019). In his national role, he serves as Deputy Director General in Germany’s Federal Ministry of Finance with responsibilities for policy development and international engagement pertaining Anti- Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism & Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT, CPF), Financial Sanctions, Digital Finance including Payment Services and Cyber Security. He sits on the board of governors of the Germam Development Bank for Agribusiness and of the Foundation for Financing the Disposal of Nuclear Waste and is a member of the Steering Group of the World Economic Forum Digital Currency Governance Consortium in Davos, and the FinCyber Advisory Group of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington D.C.
Dr. Marcus Pleyer served as the first 2-year President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) from 1 July 2020 till 30 June 2022, after having been FATF Vice-President (July 2019–June 2020) and Head of the German delegation to FATF (2016–July 2019). In his national role, he serves as Deputy Director General in Germany’s Federal Ministry of Finance with responsibilities for policy development and international engagement pertaining Anti- Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism & Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT, CPF), Financial Sanctions, Digital Finance including Payment Services and Cyber Security. He sits on the board of governors of the Germam Development Bank for Agribusiness and of the Foundation for Financing the Disposal of Nuclear Waste and is a member of the Steering Group of the World Economic Forum Digital Currency Governance Consortium in Davos, and the FinCyber Advisory Group of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington D.C.
Isabelle Delas
CEO of LuxFLAG
Isabelle Delas was formerly the Head of Luxembourg Branch of Finance in Motion GmbH (FiM), an impact asset manager, as well as a Member of the Board of Managers of FiM Asset Management S. à r. l.
She also worked in Rome, Italy for the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), the intergovernmental organization promoting the rule of law in Asia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Latin America, Middle East and North Africa and Sud-Saharan Africa, where she designed and developed technical assistance and capacity building programs with associated research on a wide range of topics, including anti-corruption, environmental and social issues, good governance, human rights, microfinance, procurement, in a number of countries.
Prior to joining IDLO, she was Assistant Professor at the University of Versailles-Saint-Quentin in Yvelines, France and Visiting Professor in the Master’s degree on “Management of Development Aid Projects in Africa” at the University of Paris XI, France.
Isabelle holds degrees at post-graduate and Masters levels in Law from the University of Poitiers, France. She is also a volunteer member of the World Association for the Protection of Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage in Times of Armed Conflict (WATCH) and of the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law.
Isabelle Delas was formerly the Head of Luxembourg Branch of Finance in Motion GmbH (FiM), an impact asset manager, as well as a Member of the Board of Managers of FiM Asset Management S. à r. l.
She also worked in Rome, Italy for the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), the intergovernmental organization promoting the rule of law in Asia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Latin America, Middle East and North Africa and Sud-Saharan Africa, where she designed and developed technical assistance and capacity building programs with associated research on a wide range of topics, including anti-corruption, environmental and social issues, good governance, human rights, microfinance, procurement, in a number of countries.
Prior to joining IDLO, she was Assistant Professor at the University of Versailles-Saint-Quentin in Yvelines, France and Visiting Professor in the Master’s degree on “Management of Development Aid Projects in Africa” at the University of Paris XI, France.
Isabelle holds degrees at post-graduate and Masters levels in Law from the University of Poitiers, France. She is also a volunteer member of the World Association for the Protection of Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage in Times of Armed Conflict (WATCH) and of the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law.
Hon. Dr. Robert Abela
Prime Minister of Malta
Dr Robert Abela took office as the 14th Prime Minister of Malta on 13th January 2020 and was sworn in for his second term on 28 March 2022.
Before starting his political career, Dr Abela worked in the family law firm. He was elected as a Member of Parliament in June 2017.
During his first legislature, Prime Minister Abela presented his vision for Malta’s future built on five pillars: quality of life, infrastructure, education, environment and good governance.
Dr Robert Abela steered the country through the global COVID-19 pandemic with Malta having the highest vaccination rate in Europe. This was achieved whilst still maintaining Malta’s economic and social success.
Dr Abela took office once again on 28 March 2022 after confirming victory in the General Elections of 26 March 2022 which saw Partit Laburista winning with the greatest majority in Maltese history.
Dr Robert Abela took office as the 14th Prime Minister of Malta on 13th January 2020 and was sworn in for his second term on 28 March 2022.
Before starting his political career, Dr Abela worked in the family law firm. He was elected as a Member of Parliament in June 2017.
During his first legislature, Prime Minister Abela presented his vision for Malta’s future built on five pillars: quality of life, infrastructure, education, environment and good governance.
Dr Robert Abela steered the country through the global COVID-19 pandemic with Malta having the highest vaccination rate in Europe. This was achieved whilst still maintaining Malta’s economic and social success.
Dr Abela took office once again on 28 March 2022 after confirming victory in the General Elections of 26 March 2022 which saw Partit Laburista winning with the greatest majority in Maltese history.
Hon. Clyde Caruana
Minister for Finance and Employment
The Minister for Finance and Employment, Clyde Caruana, was appointed Minister in November 2020. An economist by training has held the position of executive chairman at the State employment agency, Jobsplus, since 2014. More recently had taken up office as Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff.
He had previously worked at the National Statistics Office between 2007 and 2012. Caruana also lectures in Economics, at the Faculty of Economics, Management, and Accountancy at the University of Malta.
The Minister for Finance and Employment, Clyde Caruana, was appointed Minister in November 2020. An economist by training has held the position of executive chairman at the State employment agency, Jobsplus, since 2014. More recently had taken up office as Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff.
He had previously worked at the National Statistics Office between 2007 and 2012. Caruana also lectures in Economics, at the Faculty of Economics, Management, and Accountancy at the University of Malta.
Marisa Xuereb
President of The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry
Marisa Xuereb is President of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry. An economist by education, she has worked in industry for the past 25 years and is Managing Director of a local manufacturing subsidiary forming part of a UV-technology Group of Companies listed in Germany. Over the course of her career, she has also carried out various lecturing and research assignments for the University of Malta as well as the Central Bank. She serves as Director on the Board of Malta Enterprise and the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) on behalf of The Malta Chamber.
Marisa Xuereb is President of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry. An economist by education, she has worked in industry for the past 25 years and is Managing Director of a local manufacturing subsidiary forming part of a UV-technology Group of Companies listed in Germany. Over the course of her career, she has also carried out various lecturing and research assignments for the University of Malta as well as the Central Bank. She serves as Director on the Board of Malta Enterprise and the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) on behalf of The Malta Chamber.
Mark Mallia
Chief Executive Officer, Identity Malta
Colonel Mark Mallia was born on the 18th January 1978.
He joined the Armed Forces of Malta as an Officer Cadet in 1997 and was commissioned as an Officer in 1998. He attended and successfully completed the Allievi Ufficiali di Complemento (AUC) course at the "Scuola di Fanteria" in Cesano, Italy, and the Commissioning Course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom, where he was awarded the "Brunei Medal".
Col. Mallia held high-ranking positions in the Malta Armed Forces for many years. From 2009 to 2013, he served as the President of Malta’s Senior Aide-de-Camp. He oversaw several state visits during this time and coordinated several prominent national and fund-raising events.
He was appointed Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta on 20th December 2013, heading also the Human Resources Management Branch.
On 17th January 2022, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Identity Malta Agency.
Under his leadership, Identity Malta has reinforced the concept of reaching out to the agency’s stakeholders. A series of meetings, seminars, and webinars are frequently held during which stakeholders’ concerns are acknowledged and addressed.
He established the Customer Support and Response Unit, which merged all customer care officers spread throughout the agency’s units, to provide a coordinated effort to the agency’s esteemed clients.
Col. Mark Mallia holds an Executive Masters Degree in Business Administration, a Bachelor of Laws (Honours), and a Diploma in Management Studies, all from the University of Malta.
He is married to Annabelle and has two sons, Luke and Jake.
Colonel Mark Mallia was born on the 18th January 1978.
He joined the Armed Forces of Malta as an Officer Cadet in 1997 and was commissioned as an Officer in 1998. He attended and successfully completed the Allievi Ufficiali di Complemento (AUC) course at the "Scuola di Fanteria" in Cesano, Italy, and the Commissioning Course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom, where he was awarded the "Brunei Medal".
Col. Mallia held high-ranking positions in the Malta Armed Forces for many years. From 2009 to 2013, he served as the President of Malta’s Senior Aide-de-Camp. He oversaw several state visits during this time and coordinated several prominent national and fund-raising events.
He was appointed Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta on 20th December 2013, heading also the Human Resources Management Branch.
On 17th January 2022, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Identity Malta Agency.
Under his leadership, Identity Malta has reinforced the concept of reaching out to the agency’s stakeholders. A series of meetings, seminars, and webinars are frequently held during which stakeholders’ concerns are acknowledged and addressed.
He established the Customer Support and Response Unit, which merged all customer care officers spread throughout the agency’s units, to provide a coordinated effort to the agency’s esteemed clients.
Col. Mark Mallia holds an Executive Masters Degree in Business Administration, a Bachelor of Laws (Honours), and a Diploma in Management Studies, all from the University of Malta.
He is married to Annabelle and has two sons, Luke and Jake.
Steve Ellul
Advisor, Ministry for Energy, Enterprise and Sustainable Development
Steve Ellul is a Chartered Financial Analyst, an investment consultant and a lecturer at the University of Malta. Steve is an investment manager by profession and has managed discretionary and institutional assets. Steve is today a policy consultant focusing primarily on ESG, green finance and the practical applicability of sustainable investing in the Maltese corporate context.
Steve Ellul is a Chartered Financial Analyst, an investment consultant and a lecturer at the University of Malta. Steve is an investment manager by profession and has managed discretionary and institutional assets. Steve is today a policy consultant focusing primarily on ESG, green finance and the practical applicability of sustainable investing in the Maltese corporate context.
David Shrier
Futurist| Professor of Practice, Imperial College Business School
David Shrier is a globally recognized expert on financial innovation. He is Professor of Practice, Imperial College Business School where he is co-founding the Centre for Digital Transformation, and holds C-level roles with public and private companies. He has worked with over 100 governments to build Fintech ecosystems. David specializes in helping established organizations build innovative capacity, having developed $10 billion of value-creation opportunities for Fortune 500 companies and leading private equity and VC funds. He is known for creating the four most profitable online classes in history for MIT and Oxford, in the process pioneering a new $1bn+ category.
David Shrier is a globally recognized expert on financial innovation. He is Professor of Practice, Imperial College Business School where he is co-founding the Centre for Digital Transformation, and holds C-level roles with public and private companies. He has worked with over 100 governments to build Fintech ecosystems. David specializes in helping established organizations build innovative capacity, having developed $10 billion of value-creation opportunities for Fortune 500 companies and leading private equity and VC funds. He is known for creating the four most profitable online classes in history for MIT and Oxford, in the process pioneering a new $1bn+ category.