More Effective Governance Practices

A session that delves into the key messages from PwC’s Governance Survey conducted last year (and where relevant drawing parallels with The Malta Chamber’s Family Business Committee, recently published).

This with a view to giving practical solutions/ideas to improve the effectiveness of governance practices in these areas. Such key areas include:

– Board composition: Respondents expressed that they would look beyond the focus on specific expertise and value more behavioural traits such as strong independent thinking and the right communication skills. We will explore ideas around the role and value of the independent director; being more deliberate around board competences needed and sought; considering behavioural traits not just technical competence and background;  and ensuring there is focus on the skills and personalities you need on your specific board.  

– Board diversity: Respondents confirmed very few feel the need for younger people on the board and in fact very few have a succession plan in place (this is not only an issue for SMEs!). Almost all feel the need for better gender diversity but struggle with the pool of available people. There were mixed views on the need/importance of cultural diversity in business leadership

– Transparency and reporting: Most respondents were happy in terms of the overall picture on enterprise risk management systems and information reporting even though a lot complain on the length of board packs and also that they do not feel they have enough data re more specialised areas like ESG and Tech.

These findings can then be used to inform short presentations/discussions on practical measures that can be taken by all businesses adapted to fit their particular context, in each of the following areas:

• A skills and competence matrix for board and senior management. What key areas of expertise should I consider: Strategy, Risk, Business and markets, Finance, People?
  
• How this should inform board composition and a succession plan.
  
• The value of an independent director.
  
• Taking gender and diversity-smart initiatives.
  
• Providing the board with the right information to be effective

SPEAKERS

Dr Marthese Portelli – CEO, The Malta Chamber

Dr Portelli is a law graduate from the University of Malta specialising in applied business law and IT. Throughout her 27 years of working experience she occupied several managerial posts and spearheaded nationwide projects within the private and public sectors. In 2013 she contested the general election successfully and was re-elected again in 2017, during which she shadowed challenging portfolios including Eu Affairs, Energy, Environment, Transport, Infrastructure, Capital Projects, Planning and Property. Following her departure from politics, she ventured into the sphere of Sectoral Representation while working as a management consultant in her professional capacity. Since 1st May 2021 she took on the role as CEO of The Malta Chamber. She is also a visiting lecturer at the University of Malta and sits on the Board of Directors of PBS Limited, Malta Business Bureau, Education Malta and Tech.mt.

Lucienne Pace Ross – Assurance Partner at PwC, Malta

Lucienne Pace Ross is an Assurance Partner and the quality and risk Partner at PwC Malta. Lucienne is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA) and the Malta Institute of Accountants (MIA). Lucienne has been with the firm since 1997 and acts as an assurance engagement leader on diverse client portfolios including groups of companies and other non-group companies that vary in size and structure. Lucienne’s client portfolio has led her to gain experience in the audit of local and foreign-owned companies engaged in various areas of industry and commerce, particularly financial services. Lucienne is also involved in a number of non-audit assurance engagements, including control assurance engagements under ISAE 3402.

Chris Mifsud Bonnici – Tax Senior Manager at PwC, Malta

Chris is part of the Tax and Legal Services line of service at PwC Malta where he helps drive the firm’s governance, risk and compliance offering. He has a keen interest in
regulatory trends and innovation and is recently focusing on digital and ESG/sustainable finance related initiatives. He is experienced in advising asset management and
other regulated businesses on tax, structuring and regulatory matters. He joined PwC Malta in 2013 after three years with PwC Legal LLP in London and is
a dual Maltese and English qualified lawyer. He specialised in International Commercial Law at Kings’ College, London and is an associate of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Luca Balzan – Senior Associate at PwC, Malta

Luca is a Senior Associate forming part of the legal team within the tax and legal department at PwC, specialising primarily in the fields of corporate law and capital markets. He advises local and international clients on general corporate law, commercial law and tax matters, with a client portfolio ranging from small local businesses to Fortune 500 companies. He also advises private and publicly listed companies, regulated entities and credit institutions on issues of corporate governance and prevention of market abuse. Luca graduated as a lawyer from the University of Malta and holds a Master of Laws from the University of Cambridge with a specialisation in Commercial Law.

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