Dr Michael Refalo, Malta's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, attended the Royal Albert Hall, venue of this year’s Institute of Directors (IoD) convention, guest of James Satariano the IoD Malta chairman. Mr Satariano was in the UK to ensure that IoD's knowledge leadership in a number of crucial areas is maintained. Dr Refalo and Mr Satariano met a number of industry specialists and had dialogue opportunities with various international businessmen. Mr Satariano also developed IoD Malta’s corporate governance credentials further in a dialogue meeting for executive directors.

Over 2200 directors gathered at the Albert Hall for the 2005 IoD Annual Convention. This inspirational conference is tailored to enable delegates to gain maximum benefit for their business in just one day, at just one event.

Gerald Ratner made his return to the IoD Annual Convention

as he talked about success in the face of adversity. Sir Terry Leahy, CEO of Tesco made a speech about striving for success, in which he defended the retailers enormous profits, saying that customers acted as a natural regulator for supermarkets “just as voters help keep politicians honest”.

Simon Woodroffe of YO! Sushi also took the stage, challenging entrepreneurs to Odare to be different¹, and to be prepared to fail in order to eventually succeed.

Also speaking at the 2005 Convention were Arun Sarin CEO of Vodafone, rugby coach Sir Clive Woodward, leading British architect Lord Rogers of Riverside, Karan Bilimoria founder of Cobra Beer, Clare Owen founder of StopGap, Miles Templeman Director General of the IoD, and Andrew Main Wilson Chief Operating Officer of the IoD.