Raising the Bar for Directors in Malta

The Institute of Financial Services Practitioners (IFSP) has launched the IFSP Directors Chapter — a key initiative aimed at strengthening governance, enhancing professional development, and shaping Malta’s voice in the evolving European regulatory landscape.

Join the Malta Business Network (MBN) for the official introduction of the Chapter and a panel discussion featuring leading voices from regulation, legal, and financial services as they explore how the responsibilities, expectations, and challenges of directors are changing in today’s corporate climate.

Event Details:

Date: Monday, 16th February 2026
Time: 6pm to 8pm
Location: Xara Lodge
Fee: Free for MBN members
Register: https://maltabusinessnetwork.com/events/raising-the-bar-for-directors-in-malta

Moderator & Speakers:

Moderator: Chris Curmi – Chair of the IFSP Tax & EU Affairs
Chris is a former Tax Partner at Deloitte with 35+ years’ experience advising on cross-border tax, corporate governance, trusts, and family offices. He serves on several industry councils, including the IFSP Tax & EU Affairs Sub-Committee and the International Fiscal Association. Chris also holds non-executive directorships with international groups and family office structures.

Kenneth Farrugia – Chief Executive Officer, MFSA
Kenneth leads Malta’s financial services regulator, drawing on decades of senior experience across audit, public administration, and anti-financial crime. Previously Director of the FIAU, he was instrumental in major policy and governance reforms and represented Malta at key international bodies including EBA AMLC, FIU Platform and EGMONT.

Manfred Galdes – Partner, ARQ 
A compliance and AML specialist, Manfred brings over 20 years of public and private sector experience. Formerly Head of the FIAU, he now advises banks, financial institutions, and regulated entities. He is Chair of HSBC Malta, a council member of the IFSP Directors Chapter, and Strategy Director of the ACAMS Malta Chapter.

Etienne Borg Cardona – Chair, IDC Malta
Etienne is a corporate finance consultant and board advisor with three decades of senior leadership experience. He currently serves on several local and international boards, and lectures on financial management and corporate history. He holds a PhD in Leadership & Management and is a Council Member of the IFSP.

Louis de Gabriele – Managing Partner, Camilleri Preziosi
Louis is a leading corporate and financial services lawyer and has advised on many of Malta’s landmark public and private sector transactions. He regularly consults on governance matters and regulatory frameworks, and is ranked Band 1 in multiple legal directories for Corporate, Commercial, and Capital Markets.

The MBN looks forward to welcoming you for an insightful and timely conversation on the future of directorship in Malta.