From the inspirations that fuelled their ambitions to the goals they’ve set for the future, MaltaCEOs.mt asked some of Malta’s top CEOs to sum up their year, share their concerns, and reveal the soundtracks that best capture their 2025 journeys.
Merve Cungar – A Plus Solutions CEO
If you had to describe 2025 in three words, what words would you use?
Resilience, Transformation, and Breakthrough. 2025 was a year where we had to stand firm against unexpected operational challenges while simultaneously pivoting towards more robust digital and financial infrastructures. It was the year we proved that Plus Solutions doesn’t just survive disruptions we evolve through them.
Who inspired you the most in 2025 and why?
I found the most inspiration in the entrepreneurial community of Malta. Despite the tightening of global banking regulations and the complexities of the local business environment, I saw so many founders and partners striving for transparency and excellence. Their persistence in finding solutions amidst bureaucratic hurdles reminded me daily why we do what we do.
What are your goals for 2026?
My primary goal for 2026 is “Seamless Integration.” I want to eliminate the friction points in cross-border business operations. Specifically, we aim to expand our service agreement portfolio, strengthen our partnerships in the Mediterranean corridor, and implement a gold-standard compliance framework that ensures our clients’ funds and accounts are never compromised by systemic misunderstandings.
What song would you pick as a soundtrack for 2025?
“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor. It perfectly captures the spirit of 2025 navigating high-stakes financial movements, dealing with account closures, and essentially “rising up to the challenge of our rival” (in this case, the challenge being administrative complexity). It’s about keeping the focus and the hunger to win regardless of the odds.
What is your major concern for 2026?
My main concern is that banking rules are becoming too strict and difficult to understand. As we experienced at the end of 2025, bank accounts can be closed suddenly without a clear reason, which stops honest businesses from working. I am worried that if banks do not improve their communication and support for companies, it will slow down growth and innovation in the whole region.
If you could change one thing in Malta’s business environment in 2026, what would it be?
I would implement a “stronger partnership model” between all authorities, financial institutions, and business owners. In 2026, I want to see an environment where the “process” supports the “business” rather than blocking it. By creating clearer communication and more predictable rules for international trade and high-value transactions, Malta can truly become a world-class, stable hub for professional service agreements and global innovation.
Jean Pierre Schembri – CPHCL CEO
If you had to describe 2025 in three words, what words would you use?
Diversification, forging strategic partnerships, growth
Who inspired you the most in 2025 and why?
Surely our Chairman, Alfred Pisani who’s vision and values are most inspiring.
What are your goals for 2026?
Consolidation, implementation, and further growth
What song would you pick as a soundtrack for 2025?
Never walk alone by blondish …and I dedicate it to all my team. Especially when it goes ‘can’t do without you… we will never walk alone’
What is your major concern for 2026?
Finding the right people to join our team. People who share our vision and values.
If you could change one thing in Malta’s business environment in 2026, what would it be?
I would not change much to be honest. As a group, we get to experience various business environments across the globe, and one gets to appreciate Malta’s business environment for its efficiency and easy way of doing business. However, if I had to choose one thing, I would wish that our planning permitting process was quicker.
Donha Muscat – St Paul’s Institute CEO
If you had to describe 2025 in three words, what words would you use?
Resilient, transformative, purpose-driven.
Who inspired you the most in 2025 and why?
My team of educators and carers at St. Paul’s. Their daily commitment to children and families, often in challenging circumstances, reminded me that true leadership is about service, empathy, and consistency.
What are your goals for 2026?
To further strengthen the quality and reach of our childcare services, expand training opportunities through St. Paul’s Institute, and complete my DBA while continuing to mentor emerging women leaders.
What song would you pick as a soundtrack for 2025?
Unstoppable by Sia. A reminder to keep pushing forward despite challenges.
What is your major concern for 2026?
Sustaining talent in an environment of rising costs and increasing pressures on small and medium-sized businesses, particularly in people-focused sectors like childcare and education.
If you could change one thing in Malta’s business environment in 2026, what would it be?
More streamlined and flexible regulation, paired with stronger collaboration between policymakers and business leaders, to allow innovation while maintaining high standards.
Charmaine Mangion – Magic Castle Waldorf Childcares CEO
If you had to describe 2025 in three words, what words would you use?
Growth, Evolving, Connection
Who inspired you the most in 2025 and why?
I get inspired by many people at different times strangers, my employees, colleagues, students, and close family and friends. Their resilience, energy, dedication to sports, love for travel and fun, eagerness to learn, or drive in business all motivate me in different ways. Each of them teaches me something new and encourages me to keep growing.
What are your goals for 2026?
My main goals for 2026 are to strengthen my personal relationships, expand my professional skills, be a present mother and focus on self-care and well-being. I also want to be highly selective and take on projects that challenge me creatively and that I feel passionate about.
What song would you pick as a soundtrack for 2025?
‘A Te’ by Jovanotti will always be my pick for its depth.
What is your major concern for 2026?
- The right mindset to continue choosing what truly drives me and investing my energy where I feel most motivated.
- A healthy balance between work, studies, personal life, and above all motherhood, while successfully completing my law degree.
- Time and presence for the people closest to me, ensuring we share quality moments together.
- Continuing to make timely, forward-looking decisions, staying one step ahead to anticipate what lies ahead and ensuring each choice is the most appropriate for that moment, while remaining open to evolve and adapt.
If you could change one thing in Malta’s business environment in 2026, what would it be?
I would like to see an ecosystem that empowers businesses to innovate and turn creative ideas into reality, without being constrained by excessive regulatory hurdles or unnecessary challenges. This should go hand in hand with an approach both in public and private spheres towards innovation, ensuring businesses have the pragmatism, practical support, and freedom needed to start, grow, and expand.
I always would love to see further support for SMEs, greater opportunities for women in business and leadership, and strategic adoption of AI and technology to enhance decision-making, efficiency, and scalability. The goal should be to unlock entrepreneurial creativity while maintaining compliance, fostering sustainable growth and a dynamic, innovative business landscape.
Joseph Aquilina – Smart Technologies CEO
If you had to describe 2025 in three words, what words would you use?
Growth. Learning. Momentum.
Who inspired you the most in 2025 and why?
Our people. Their ability to adapt, collaborate, and keep moving forward – often quietly and without spotlight – turned challenges into progress. That collective mindset made the difference.
What are your goals for 2026?
To keep building sustainable growth: strengthening our teams, deepening partnerships, and focusing on long-term value rather than short-term wins.
What song would you pick as a soundtrack for 2025?
“Fix You” – Coldplay. Because progress often comes from helping each other move forward.
What is your major concern for 2026?
Coming from a fast pace industry, my concern is that we have Decision paralysis – at different levels –both in business and at policy level. In fast-moving environments, hesitation can be more damaging than the wrong decision.
If you could change one thing in Malta’s business environment in 2026, what would it be?
Encourage faster, more agile decision-making through simplified processes – creating space for innovation while maintaining strong governance.
Jonathan De Giovanni – Promethean Corporate Services CEO
If you had to describe 2025 in three words, what words would you use?
Transformation – Opportunity – Innovation
2025 has been a year of significant transformation in the financial services sector, particularly with the implementation of MiCA regulation across Europe. It’s presented both regulatory challenges and tremendous opportunities for growth in the fintech and digital assets space, which aligns perfectly with our expansion strategy at Promethean.
Who inspired you the most in 2025 and why?
Our growing team at Promethean has been my greatest inspiration this year. However, if I had to mention an international finance professional of particular inspiration it would be Christian Sewing, CEO of Deutsche Bank. His strategic leadership in transforming one of Europe’s largest financial institutions while navigating the complex regulatory environment has been particularly inspiring. His ability to balance innovation with stability demonstrates the kind of forward-thinking approach that’s essential in today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape.
What are your goals for 2026?
Expanding our global footprint in the global mobility sector while navigating the complex regulatory landscape of MiCA implementation across Europe. We aim to strengthen our position as a leading regulatory advisory firm for fintech and digital assets, particularly focusing on helping businesses leverage Malta’s strategic advantages as a gateway to the European market.
Additionally, we’re committed to further developing our AI and regtech capabilities to enhance our service delivery. Our primary goal for 2026 is to further expand Promethean’s global footprint, particularly in emerging markets and digital asset sectors. We’re focusing on exploring new jurisdictions that align with our expertise in cross-border financial services and global mobility. Additionally, we’re investing significantly in AI integration across the Group and our sister companies, in both our legal and compliance functions to enhance client service delivery while maintaining the highest ethical standards.
The further agile adaptation in regulatory compliance is also an important goal. The financial services sector is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and the ability to quickly adapt to new regulations while maintaining operational excellence will be the key differentiator for successful firms this upcoming year.
What song would you pick as a soundtrack for 2025?
‘Hope’ by NF. NF’s powerful delivery and introspective yet commanding lyrics about overcoming adversity and maintaining determination resonate deeply with modern leadership values. The song builds from a reflective opening to an explosive declaration of resilience – “I’m tryna be a better man, I’m tryna do the best I can” – which aligns perfectly with the growth mindset needed in today’s business environment.
What is your major concern for 2026?
My major concern is the increasing complexity of global regulatory fragmentation, particularly in the digital assets space. As different jurisdictions implement varying approaches to crypto regulation and AI governance, maintaining compliance while delivering seamless cross-border services becomes increasingly challenging. This regulatory patchwork could potentially stifle innovation if not addressed through greater international cooperation.
The pace of regulatory adaptation across different EU jurisdictions also ought to be addressed. While Malta has established itself as a leader in crypto regulation with the MFSA’s experienced approach, the inconsistent implementation of MiCA across member states could create fragmentation in the single market. This regulatory disparity might hinder the seamless expansion that the regulation was designed to facilitate. Greater regulatory harmonization across jurisdictions to facilitate smoother cross-border operations for fintech companies, is essential.
I hope to see continued growth in Malta’s position as a hub for innovative financial services, building on the strong foundations we’ve established through thoughtful regulation and industry collaboration.
If you could change one thing in Malta’s business environment in 2026, what would it be?
I would enhance the speed and efficiency of regulatory approvals and bureaucratic processes to maintain Malta’s competitive edge. While we have excellent regulatory frameworks and expertise, streamlining administrative procedures would make Malta even more attractive to international businesses looking to establish their European headquarters here. This would help us capitalize on our “Blockchain Island” reputation and attract more fintech innovation to our shores.
While we’ve made progress, there’s still significant room for improvement in creating a fully digital, efficient interface between businesses and government entities. Streamlining bureaucratic processes through technology would enhance Malta’s competitiveness as a business jurisdiction and make it easier for international companies to establish and operate here successfully.
Christian Gravina – GCS Malta CEO
If you had to describe 2025 in three words, what words would you use?
Interesting, rewarding and thoughtful
Who inspired you the most in 2025 and why?
Donald Trump as apart from exercising a lot of influence in view of his position as the President of America, he is also a very good business man.
What are your goals for 2026?
My main aim is continue strengthening what we have been working on during 2025. In addition, I would be excited to see our temping agency in action as a new service for 2026
What song would you pick as a soundtrack for 2025?
Golden as this is a song that reminds me of my daughter. She loves listening to it and hence it brings me joy.
What is your major concern for 2026?
I do feel that 2026 will bring some challenges to various businesses. This is a year where there are going to be tougher regulations for TCNs and also will see the introduction of the Pay Transparency Directive. I do feel that a lot of businesses are not prepared for this and it can have a negative impact on their business.
If you could change one thing in Malta’s business environment in 2026, what would it be?
I would consolidate various Authorities so that certain firms, such as those that are managed by myself are regulated by one regulator rather than having various regulators.
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