Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/630594
43 Events maltatoday, Sunday, 24 January 2016 MSV Life holds staff conference on Change and Innovation in the life insurance industry MSV Life, Malta's largest life in- surer, recently held a half-day staff conference on the signifi- cant trends that are reshaping the life insurance industry. MSV Life CEO David G. Curmi addressed the conference stat- ing that the insurance industry is currently passing through a phase of brutal disruption by people from outside the industry. These so-called "disruptors" are using approaches and business models that are unfamiliar to the insurance industry. As a consequence, Curmi said the rate of change in- side the insurance indus- try was far slower than the rate of change out- side the industry. Curmi suggested that rather than resist the disruptors, people in the insurance in- dustry should become dis- ruptors themselves. Insur- ance companies need to break traditional models and fast. Curmi stressed that technology will redefine insurance business at a pace never seen before. To discuss these trends, three guest speakers where invited to tackle the subject from differ- ent perspectives, from overcom- ing psychological and physical limitations, to the latest develop- ments in IT which will completely change the customer experience. Reinhold M. Karner, a fellow of various international top-level think tanks and Chairman of the Advisory Board for Enter- prise Systems at the University of Innsbruck in Austria, gave a pres- entation on the digital business revolution and how the advance- ment in technology will change the way people connect with each other, making businesses more efficient and delivering results in real time. On a completely different note, water treatment engineer and hy- drologist Marco Cremona who climbed the world's highest peaks including Mount Everest, took the audience on an interesting journey of mental determination to challenge the comfort zones to reach goals and conquer more challenging ambitions. Cremona emphasized that one is not necessarily born a natural star, but commitment and mental strength can make one achieve anything in life, so long as one is ready to look fear in the face and have the courage to believe in oneself and abilities one may not necessarily be aware of. To round up the seminar, Dar- ryl Stewart made a presenta- tion on 'Save Up – Rethink- ing the Insurance User Experience'. Stewart is a senior actuary within the Life Financial So- lutions business at Munich Re in Munich with responsibility for the development of structured rein- surance transactions targeting financial risk transfer or strategic capital management ob- jectives. "Today the secret in life in- surance business is about pro- viding clients with products that offer financial f lexibility that match the ever-changing life- style of people," said Stewart. "It is also about offering minimum performance guarantees, so that clients do not feel that they have to bear all the risks themselves." MSV Life p.l.c. is authorised by the Malta Financial Services Au- thority to carry on Long Term Business under the Insurance Business Act, 1998. Nexia BT appoints four new directors In addition to the recently an- nounced merger with E-Cubed Consultants Limited, nexia BT appointed four new directors within the group as from 1 Janu- ary 2016. Darren Bugeja is the newly appointed Director within the Audit Department. Darren is a graduate with honours in ac- countancy from the University of Malta and is a member of the Malta Institute of Account- ants. He is directly involved in performing large and technical audits, reviewing audits per- formed by senior and assistant auditors of the firm, organising audit teams, and managing the administration of the audit de- partment. Stephanie Vella joined the Eco- nomics and EU Affairs Division arm within the Advisory De- partment. Stephanie obtained a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Malta in 2002 and was the co-founder of E-Cubed Consultants Limited. As an economic consultant, Stephanie worked on a number of projects and consultancy as- signments with institutions in- cluding the EU Commission, Commonwealth Secretariat, Government ministries and au- thorities and private sector enti- ties. Tim Dambrauskas and Oliver Zammit joined the International Client Services Department. Tim is in possession of a Masters De- gree in Business Administration from the CIM (Cyprus Institute of Marketing) and his areas of specialisation are private tax planning, wealth structuring, as well as citizenship and residence planning. Oliver has a Masters degree in Financial Services and is a Certified Public Account- ant, fellow member of the Malta Institute of Accountants and a member of The Institute of In- ternal Auditors. Prior to joining nexia BT, Oliver spent a number of years working within the gam- ing industry and will be heading the international corporate serv- ices arm of nexia BT. The firm has strengthened its financial accounting and audit technical team with the appoint- ment of Michelle Vassallo Pulis, who will be also offering techni- cal help-desk support to nexia BT's clients. nexia BT is confident that these developments will pave the way to its commitment to continue providing value added services to its clients. More information about nexia BT can be accessed online www.nexiabt.com. Left to right: Darren Bugeja. Stephanie Vella, Oliver Zammit and Tim Dambrauskas Frank Salt Real Estate appointed exclusive agent for Business Office Services in Mriehel FRAnK Salt Real Estate has recently been engaged as sole agents for Malta's latest high profile office development – Business Offices Services Inter- national. "If one is looking for office space in Malta, Business Office Services International's rental options are definitely worth looking into", commented Rita K Schembri, Commercial Prop- erty Division Manager for Frank Salt Real Estate. "This exciting development provides contemporary office spaces with immediate occu- pancy, complemented by state- of-the-art meeting and confer- encing services and all other office amenities. We are proud to have been trusted with its promotion." To date, Malta holds no set fi- nancial district, but if one had to signpost the area with the highest concentration of fi- nance related companies, Mrie- hel is likely to top the list. Home to the MFSA, Malta's Financial Services Authority, Mriehel is also the base for a number of key financial services provid- ers already headquartered in Mrieħel, including Bank of Val- letta, HSBC Bank Malta and big four firms PwC and Deloitte to name but a few. Business Office Services Inter- national's office block is the lat- est addition to the field, offering an excellent selection of quality office space to let for companies and business professionals. The state-of-the-art office premises have been launched in 2015 and provide a very f lexible office rental solution. BOSI is no new name on the international scale, having similar office develop- ments in Luxemburg, Cyprus, Honk Kong, Singapore, Mauri- tius, amongst others. Spread on a number of f loors, these offices have been finished to the latest specifications, and are provided to their tenants ready-to-go. Most units are filled with natural light and enjoy beautiful country views. What's more this business cen- tre provides an entire suite of business services that are tai- lored specifically to the needs of the occupants, enabling them to focus on their core business in a functional environment whilst supported by an excel- lently trained team of IT and administrative staff. Various office rental options are available, from conven- tional offices to private glass- partitioned individual offices. General services include broad- band internet access, personal- ised telephone answering, mail and courier, reception, 24-hour secure access, daily cleaning, heating and air condition- ing, access to photocopy and scanning facilities, use of fully equipped kitchen, free beverag- es, organisation of board meet- ings and use of board room/ meeting rooms with audio vis- ual facilities. Private parking is also available. With monthly rentals starting from €650, BOSI Malta offers a practical and affordable office rental solution for businesses and professionals looking at setting up an office in Malta. Office spaces for immediate oc- cupancy are exclusively avail- able to let through Frank Salt Real Estate's Commercial Divi- sion. More information, includ- ing the latest office availabil- ity, site plans and rental office packages, can be obtained by calling on 23 794 181. One can also visit www.franksalt.com. mt/bosi-malta