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2 NEWS 14.4.2022 THE Institute of Financial Services Practitioners (IFSP) hosted its high- ly anticipated Annual Conference on April 7, to continue its mission as 'the voice of the financial services industry in Malta'. At the day-long conference, key fig- ures from the worlds of politics and the financial sector shared industry updates and their views on its way forward with delegates attending both in person at Xara Lodge and online. e conference kick-started with an online address by Roberta Metsola. As President of the European Parliament, Dr Metsola said that Malta should ex- plore alternative methods of attracting investment beyond a low-tax status, while she warned of the long-term im- pact of economic sanctions resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Minister for Finance and Employment Clyde Caruana and Nationalist repre- sentative Ivan Bartolo also offered ad- dresses, discussing Malta's greylisting by FATF, inflation as result of the on- going conflict in Ukraine and the min- imum level of taxation. All speakers also called for unity across the political divide to improve industry standards, not only to ensure the coun- try is removed from the FATF greylist soon, but also to create a sustainable, reputable future for the industry. "We chose the title of this conference, Revitalising Financial Services – Map- ping a Sustainable Path for Malta with intent," said IFSP President Tonio Zarb in his opening address. "We need to revitalise the financial services sector, while realising our ambition to grow the sector and build a sustainable interna- tional business service centre that does us justice." Geraldine Spiteri Lucas from the MBR, Joseph Gavin from the MFSA, Conrad Cassar Torregiani from Deloitte, Nev- ille Gatt from PWC and Robert Attard from EY joined panels of other expert speakers to discuss AML/CFT require- ments, the challenges of recent tax developments and how to support the industry in the wake of the FATF grey- listing. All agreed that Malta's ease of doing business should remain a top priority for the sector. Two specialised break- out sessions also allowed participants to share their views on the recently proposed EU tax directives and on the draft corporate governance code issued by the MFSA. An early presentation by Gordon Cordina from E-Cubed Consultants Ltd shared conclusions from a survey, co-commissioned by the IFSP, that out- lined the significant contribution of financial services to the Maltese econ- omy – and will form the basis for the revitalisation of the sector. Following Dr Cordina's presentation, a panel discussion featuring David Del- icata from the Malta Institute of Ac- countants, Geraldine Schembri from the Malta Institute of Taxation and Tonio Zarb highlighted noteworthy as- pects of the survey's findings, particu- larly tax figures, the outstanding con- tribution of the expat community to the sector, the need to create a competitive employment environment and the sec- tor's gender gap. IFSP annual conference reaffirms importance of financial services to Maltese economy HILI Ventures has appointed experi- enced business leader Archie Bethel CBE as its new Chairman. Bethel succeeds Steve Tarr who re- tired after a seven-year term on March 31. Bethel will apply his broad expe- rience in transforming and growing international businesses in a range of industry sectors to lead the board and set its agenda. He will guide directors to ensure optimal decision-making outcomes aligned with Hili Ventures' values and core strengths. In a career spanning more than four decades, Bethel gained extensive in- ternational experience and has been responsible for acquiring, growing and operating major businesses around the world. In 2021, after nearly 20 years with the company, Bethel retired from his role as Chief Executive of Babcock Inter- national Group plc, a London-based FTSE listed public company operat- ing globally in the defence, energy and aviation sectors. He continues to hold several non-executive and independent director roles in both the private and public sectors. A Chartered Engineer, Bethel began his career in the offshore oil and gas industry after graduating from the University of Strathclyde with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA. In 2009, the university awarded him an honorary Doctor of Science degree. He was awarded an OBE in 1996 and a CBE in 2008 for Services to Business and Enterprise in the United Kingdom. "I am honoured to be joining the Hili Ventures group at this exciting stage of its development," Bethel said. "I look forward to working with Melo and the board to deliver our ambitious growth plans." Effective April 1, 2022, the board of Hili Ventures is composed of Archie Bethel (Chairman), Melo Hili, Anna- bel Hili, Victor Tedesco and Jesmond Mizzi. CHETCUTI Cauchi Advocates have announced the admission of Dr Char- lene Mifsud to the firm's partnership. Mifsud graduated Doctor of Laws in 2008 and served as notary public before joining the Maltese bar as an advocate. In 2016, she joined Chetcuti Cauchi Ad- vocates as senior associate, eventually progressing to managing associate. Congratulating Mifsud during a pri- vate event attended by senior lawyers, management and family members, Dr Jean-Philippe Chetcuti, the firm's co-managing partner described her as 'very well respected for her eloquent, pragmatic, and assertive lawyering style'. "Chetcuti Cauchi is proud of its strong family values and of its support of so many professional men and wom- en who have grown with the firm over the years. is is why I feel proud to belong to this team, where successful lawyers know that they can also take their parenthood as seriously without having to choose between career and family," Mifsud said. She serves the firm's international corporate and commercial law prac- tice, advising multinational companies and local family businesses in employ- ment law, enforcement of foreign judg- ments, mergers and acquisitions, estate and succession planning in a family business context, as well as resolution of local and cross-border commercial disputes. She also practices in the areas of com- pliance and risk management, trusts and estates, and the regulation of virtu- al financial assets. Founded in 2002, Chetcuti Cauchi provides legal, immigration, tax, and fiduciary services to a varied clientele of successful entrepreneurs, world re- nowned business families and mul- ti-national companies. e firm also collaborates with several magic circle law firms and serves as the collaborat- ing tax and legal firm in Malta for An- dersen Global. Hili Ventures Chairman Archie Bethel Dr Charlene Mifsud Hili Ventures appoints Archie Bethel CBE as its new Chairman Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates admits senior lawyer to Partnership

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