‘We have shown that Malta takes governance very seriously’ – Malta Stock Exchange Executive Chairman

It has been a good month for Joseph Portelli, Executive Chairman of the Malta Stock Exchange (MSE), coming off the back of a “very successful” international summit on governance and risk and his appointment to the chairmanship of a key committee within the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE).

Speaking to MaltaCEOs.mt, Mr Portelli says that the MSE’s first annual Governance, Risk and Compliance Summit was a resounding success, attracting over 450 delegates to listen to keynote speeches and discussions by a who’s who of global capital market players.

These included the European Securities and Markets Authority, Deutsche Börse, the Bank of England, the German Institute for Governance and Psychology, L’Autorité des marchés financiers of France, the Italian CONSOB, and the World Federation of Exchanges.

“It went very well,” he says. “We showed the world that we take governance very seriously in Malta, and the benefits of that are expected to be many.”

Mr Portelli believes that the MSE has a duty, as a leader within the capital market of Malta, to do all it can to foster an effective GRC culture, not just in Malta but also beyond its shores.

Meanwhile, the MSE’s involvement with the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) continues to reach new heights following the latter organisation’s of its October 2022 general assembly in Malta.

The WFE represents over 300 exchanges from all over the world, including NASDAQ, the Japan Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange.

Earlier this month, Mr Portelli was appointed as Chairman of the WFE’s Governance and Nominations Committee.

“During my chairmanship, the MSE has become an active member in the WFE – one of the most prestigious and influential industry groups – and I am pleased that the effort has been recognised,” he says.

The Governance and Nominations Committee oversees Director elections and advises the Board on governance matters.

“It is the only committee whose Chair attends Board meetings,” he explains, with the appointment taking him around the world, from the last meeting in Madrid to the next in Tokyo.

The best thing about his new role, he says, is the opportunity it affords him to exchange ideas with some of the preeminent leaders in the sector – ideas which, he points out, could be useful as the MSE navigates the competitive market.

Rubbing shoulders with so many stock market insiders also opens the door to new opportunities to build strategic alliances between the MSE and its foreign counterparts, he notes.

“I believe this appointment is an important gesture of recognition of the work both I personally and the MSE have done in recent years,” he says. “The challenge now is to make the most of it to ensure the long-term growth and success of Malta’s capital market.”