Description:
The Company Directors’ Forum is a curated series of thought‑leadership events designed specifically for non‑executive directors operating across a wide range of industries.
Each edition focuses on timely, high‑impact topics and themes that are most relevant to the participants at the time. Through dynamic panels and engaging discussions, the Forum brings these themes to life – offering participants with practical insights, diverse perspectives, and meaningful opportunities to reflect on the challenges and opportunities shaping their strategic agendas.
The first session was held on 15 May 2026 and explored how global economic, sector-specific, and geopolitical shifts have evolved, the forces that brought us here, and what they signal for the future. These shifting realities are key to board room decisions. It touched upon key interim financial reporting matters during such uncertain times, including a fireside chat on the topic. This was followed by a panel discussion on ‘Board-Level Insights from the Past – Steering the Future with Confidence’.
Following the success of the first session, this upcoming event marks the second Forum of the year. This session will focus on what makes Boards perform effectively beyond compliance, covering areas such as governance, Board composition, culture, director development and succession.
Access the agenda for the second session here.
Date: 09 October 2026
Time: 08:30 – 13:00
Venue: KPMG offices, Pietà
Fee: €75
CPE Hours: This session qualifies for 2.5 hours of structured CPE which can be classified as Core Competency. A certificate of attendance will be provided.
Forum Leaders:
Jonathan Dingli, Partner, Head of Advisory, KPMG in Malta
Giselle Borg, Partner, Risk Consulting Advisory Services, KPMG in Malta
Clifford Delia, Partner, Corporate Accounting Advisory Services, KPMG in Malta
John Ellul Sullivan, Partner, Tax Services, KPMG in Malta
Speakers:
David Pace, Senior Partner, KPMG in Malta
David is the Senior Partner of KPMG in Malta and heads the Clients and Markets function of the KPMG Islands Group, which brings together more than 3,000 professionals, serving clients across 11 island locations. Throughout his 20+ year advisory career he has principally assisted clients in raising debt and equity finance; in valuing assets; and in numerous M&A deals (enterprise transfer/merge/partner negotiations). His engagement portfolio has led him to work at the heart of strategy within several organisations, helping them throughout the process of considering strategic options, articulation of plans and their subsequent implementation. Leveraging his skills and experiences, coupled with specialist training, David is increasingly travelling alongside families in business, supporting them as they navigate their way-forward journey (experience spans sub Eur100m EVs to > Eur1bn). He is also an active promoter of entrepreneurship, supporting early-stage companies, and is a Past Chairperson of the JAYE Malta Foundation (previously Young Enterprise) Board.
Giselle Borg, Partner, Risk Consulting Advisory Services, KPMG in Malta
Giselle is an experienced professional with a strong background in governance, risk, and compliance, across a range of industries. Throughout her career, she has led audit and assurance engagements for major market players, working both in Malta and with KPMG London’s audit department. Today, Giselle advises entities on corporate governance, regulatory reporting, risk management, internal audit, and actuarial matters. She supports organisations in navigating evolving expectations and aligning their structures and operations accordingly. Giselle also assists clients in establishing regulated entities in Malta, guiding them through licensing processes and cross-border considerations, including freedom of services, establishment, and general good requirements across European jurisdictions.
Claudine Borg Azzopardi, Partner, People and Change Advisory Services, KPMG in Malta
Claudine heads the People & Change Advisory function. She is a Psychologist, Executive Coach and Registered Supervisor. She has worked extensively in the field of change management and leadership development with diverse nationalities and projects in different geographies. Her professional career started in 1999 working within the NHS in the UK before moving into Leadership Consultancy and Executive Coaching. She has led large complex transformations including all aspects of technological, behavioural and cultural change. She has been involved in workforce transformation, including talent strategy, people analytics, organisational design, development of change methodology and toolkit development, stakeholder management, communications development, and delivery.
Nadine Castillo, Senior Executive Coach, People and Change Advisory Services, KPMG in Malta
Nadine is a Gestalt Psychotherapist, Executive Coach, and Business Consultant focused on advising and assisting organisations, businesses, and executive teams in cultivating effective leadership practices and fostering positive workplace dynamics. Her goal is to enable both employers and employees to prosper and excel, thereby increasing business performance, engagement, wellbeing, and retention. Nadine is specialised in building leadership capability for business transformation. She combines professional coaching skills with 20 plus years of experience in helping global organisations adapt and change under fast, challenging, complex, and critical circumstances.
Kersten Mallia, Associate Director, KPMG Learning Academy, KPMG in Malta
Kersten is an Associate Director at KPMG in Malta’s Learning Academy (‘KLA’), focused on developing bespoke training solutions for organisations while overseeing the Academy’s general operations. A Certified Public Accountant by profession, Kersten brings to the table more than a decade of experience working with KPMG across Accounting Advisory, Audit and KLA. His background includes financial reporting and technical accounting advisory, as well as audit engagements, primarily in the Banking and Private Enterprise sectors, alongside multiple audit secondments with KPMG offices in Ireland, the USA, and the Netherlands.
Tonio Zarb, Engagement Leader, Advisory Services, KPMG in Malta
KPMG in Malta’s Senior Partner between 2012 and 2020, and a retired partner as of 1 October 2021, Tonio Zarb is today a Consultant to KPMG in Malta and an advisory engagement leader. Tonio is also the President of the Institute of Financial Services Practitioners and a Governor of Finance Malta. Tonio has extensive experience in deal advisory and restructuring services and possesses detailed knowledge of strategy and business planning processes. He has led several engagements relating to business valuations, financing (including public offerings), financial due diligence, and financial reviews. Tonio has a particular interest is leadership, organisational culture and governance and has carried out a number of engagements in this area. Tonio is a past President of the Malta Institute of Accountants having spent twenty-four years on the Institute’s Council in various roles and served as a member of the council of the European Federation of Accountants.
Dr Gordon Cordina
Dr Gordon Cordina is a leading economist in the Maltese islands. He has professional experience spanning 25 years, covering banking, policy-making, academia and private sector consultancy. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Nominations Committee and is a member of the Technology and Digital Strategy Committee. Dr Cordina is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and the University of Malta. His main area of academic interest is the growth and macroeconomic dynamics facing economies that are prone to heightened risks. Dr Cordina has several years of Board and Risk Committee experience in major financial institutions in Malta, amongst which at Bank of Valletta p.l.c., served as Manager of the Research Department of the Central Bank of Malta, Director General of the National Statistics Office of Malta, Head of the Economics Department of the University of Malta and Economic Advisor to the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development. Through the private consultancy firm he co-founded in 2006, he is involved in a number of local and international research projects and consultancy assignments with institutions including the EU Commission, NGOs and private sector entities. Dr Cordina is also a visiting senior lecturer at the University of Malta. Dr Cordina was appointed Chairman of the Bank of Valletta p.l.c. in October 2020, of MAPFRE MSV Life in September 2021 and director of MAPFRE Middlesea in September 2022.
Martin Scicluna
Martin Scicluna is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, holds a Diploma in Financial Studies and was elected Fellow of the Institute of Financial Services in 1999. Mr Scicluna held a number of managerial appointments in Mid-Med Bank between 1976 and 1996, following which he joined Midland Bank plc which later became HSBC Bank Malta plc. Between 1996 and 2012, Mr Scicluna held several senior executive roles in HSBC Malta including Group Head of Internal Audit, Deputy Head of Operations and Head of Wealth Management. From 2006 to 2012, he served on several boards for HSBC Malta regulated subsidiaries in Life Insurance, Asset Management and Financial Advisory and on its Audit Committee. Since 2012, he has held directorships in asset management and insurance companies licensed in Malta. Mr Scicluna has contributed to various areas of voluntary work for 40 years, including Scouting, the preservation of the built and natural environment and financial services education. He has served on the Boards of Administration, in a voluntary capacity, of Non-Governmental Organisations such as Din l-Art Ħelwa (Malta’s National Trust) and the HSBC Malta Foundation.
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