The Board of Governors of the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) has announced the appointment of Dr Manfred Galdes as the new director of the unit.

Dr Galdes replaces Frank Caruana who retired from the post on reaching pensionable age.

The FIAU, which has been in operation for six years, is a government agency established by law and is responsible for the implementation of the anti-money laundering and financing of terrorism legislation in Malta and for the analysis of financial data on suspicious transactions reported by persons required to do so in terms of the legislation.

Dr Galdes graduated Bachelor of Arts in Legal and Humanistic Studies and subsequently Doctor of Laws from the University of Malta. He also holds a Masters degree in European Union (Commercial) Law from the University of Leicester.

Prior to his appointment, he held the post of manager responsible for Regulatory Affairs and Compliance with a local professional firm. He also held the position of manager in the Legal and International Relations section at the Malta Financial Services Authority.