Graziella Grech steps down as FinanceMalta COO

Graziella Grech has stepped down from her role as Chief Operations Officer (COO) at FinanceMalta, effective 27th October 2025, following a tenure marked by strong growth and strategic international positioning for Malta’s financial services sector.

In a public statement shared on LinkedIn, Ms Grech reflected on her time at the helm with what she described as “immense pride in what was achieved under [her] leadership,” noting several milestones that elevated the industry’s presence on the global stage.

Under her leadership, she says that FinanceMalta saw membership grow by more than 70 per cent, organised over 50 events annually, and achieved record-breaking sponsorship income. According to Ms Grech, this success reflected “the industry’s trust and confidence in its direction,” while demonstrating FinanceMalta’s ability to strengthen international alliances and actively attract foreign direct investment (FDI).

A key highlight came in September, when Ms Grech led a landmark mission to Japan that resulted in the signing of two significant Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs): One with the Fintech Association of Japan and another with the Japan International Asset Management Center Promotion (JIAM). The initiative not only represented a historic achievement but also “generated 1.3 million social media engagements, underscoring the impact of purposeful collaboration.”

Her tenure was further distinguished by expanding the FinanceMalta Annual Conference into Malta’s “largest and most influential financial services event,” alongside successfully pitching to host the World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC) Extraordinary General Meeting in Malta in March 2026. Ms Grech highlighted this achievement as evidence that “Malta continues to be chosen as a destination for major international conferences, including XBRL Europe,” solidifying the island’s growing global status.

In recognition of her contributions, Ms Grech received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Financial Leadership and was featured in CIO Look Media’s “The Most Inspiring Women Shaping the Future of FinTech Globally.” She described these accolades as “a tribute to years of passion, dedication, and measurable results in advancing Malta’s financial services landscape.”

Reflecting on her departure, Ms Grech remarked that leadership is about “driving success, inspiring people, and creating lasting impact through vision and conviction,” noting that sometimes it “requires the courage to take a different path.” She now looks forward to bringing her “strategic vision, international experience, and proven leadership” to a new organisation, where she aims to continue driving growth and transformation.

“It has been an absolute privilege to work alongside the small but mighty FM team,” she said, adding that every milestone reached was “a tribute to my beloved Malta, a nation I hold close to my heart and will always represent with pride and gratitude.”

Ms Grech’s departure marks a significant moment for FinanceMalta, which in recent years has gained increased momentum as an international financial centre. Her next move is being closely watched as she prepares to embark on what she describes as a “new chapter… with gratitude, pride, and optimism.”