The Institute of Financial Services Practitioners (IFSP) has officially launched its new Directors Chapter (IDC), a milestone initiative designed to strengthen governance, support professional directors, and give Malta a unified national voice in the evolving European regulatory landscape.
The launch follows IFSP’s admission as Malta’s representative within the European Confederation of Directors Associations (ecoDa), positioning the country directly inside Europe’s leading body for board governance standards, training, and policy dialogue.
IFSP President Steven Decesare said the new chapter reflects a clear need for stronger support structures for directors across Malta. By creating a dedicated forum, he said, the Institute is equipping directors to navigate increasing regulatory demands while ensuring governance excellence remains at the centre of Malta’s financial and corporate sectors.
The new Directors Chapter will act as a central resource for professional development, training, and best-practice guidance. It will also engage actively with regulators and policymakers in Malta and Brussels as EU institutions continue to introduce far-reaching governance frameworks for companies and boards.
ecoDa Chair Marie-Hélène Sarlat Chammard welcomed Malta’s participation, noting that Europe’s governance landscape is evolving rapidly through digitalisation, sustainability requirements, and strengthened oversight expectations. She emphasised that regulators increasingly look to governance as a safeguard for ethical and resilient corporate conduct, making Malta’s involvement both timely and strategically important.
The IDC Steering Committee will be led by Dr Rosette Fenech Pace as Chair, together with five elected members: Daniel Aquilina, Dr Virginia DeBattista, Dr Danica Vella Padovani, Andrew Bonello Ghio and Aleksey Leek. Their mandate includes shaping the chapter’s long-term strategy, building training pathways, establishing ethical benchmarks and coordinating Malta’s position within ecoDa.
Addressing members at the launch event, Dr Fenech Pace highlighted the urgent need for structured, collective advocacy on behalf of directors. She noted that Malta’s regulatory environment is maturing quickly, and the new chapter will help ensure directors are equipped with the knowledge, networks and support systems required to lead responsibly.
The launch of the IFSP Directors Chapter marks a significant step for Malta’s governance ecosystem. By giving directors a platform for representation, resources, and development — and by securing a seat at the European table — the IDC is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future standards and expectations of board leadership across the country.