FinanceMalta, Malta's public-private initiative set up to promote the country as an international financial centre, has announced the appointment of Rudolph Psaila as its new Chairman. He succeeds Kenneth Farrugia, who resigned from his post after serving in his role for the past eight years.

The appointment of Psaila as Chairman of FinanceMalta was announced by Silvio Schembri, Parliamentary Secretary responsible for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation during a meeting of the new Board of Governors held this afternoon.

Schembri announced the composition of the new FinanceMalta board, which features governors appointed by the government and  by the financial services sector. The government-appointed governors are Rudolph Psaila (Chairman), Justin Spiteri, Marvin Zammit, Josianne Cascun Montebello and Claude Abela.

The governors appointed by the private sector are Wayne Pisani as President of the Institute of Financial Services Practitioners (IFSP), Matthew Bianchi representing the Insurance Industry (MIMA, AIB, MIA), Karol Gabarretta representing the Banking sector as Secretary General of the Malta Bankers Association (MBA), and Kenneth Farrugia representing the Malta Asset Servicing Association (MASA).

Schembri said: "I thank Farrugia for his long-standing service at the helm of FinanceMalta and wish the best of luck to Mr Psaila in his role. I believe that with his experience in the financial services sector, coupled with the great support of the new board and FinanceMalta's management team, he will be continuing on the steps of his predecessor in promoting Malta as a financial services jurisdiction across the world. FinanceMalta will yet again play a crucial role, in our pursuit to take Malta's financial services sector to the next level."

Outgoing Chairman Kenneth Farrugia said: "FinanceMalta has contributed significantly to the growth and importance of financial services to Malta's wider economy. We have experienced growth in every sector be it funds and asset management, insurance as well as wealth management. We have consolidated our initiatives in core markets, extended FinanceMalta's reach to new jurisdictions, and also carried Malta's proposition in new sectors such as blockchain and FinTech. In this respect I must thank all governors who over the years contributed tirelessly to face the challenges of a young jurisdiction, and the members for their unwavering support throughout the years, as well as management and staff for their contribution to ensure Malta is a jurisdiction of repute in financial services. I wish Mr Psaila every success in his new role, and he knows that he has my full support on the Board."

The new Chairman of FinanceMalta, Rudolph Psaila thanked Schembri and Farrugia for extending their wishes. "I'm grateful for being granted the opportunity to act as Chairman of FinanceMalta. Whilst we remain cognisant of the challenges present in the Financial Services and FinTech Industry, together with the Board of Governors, our members, the Government and all the private stakeholders, we will seek to consolidate our core traditional sectors and keep on evolving and innovating in order to remain globally connected and at the forefront in the respective industries."

Rudolph Psaila is the CEO of AlleyBe Group, an independently owned Group engaged in the Corporate, Trust and Fintech Industry. He started his career working for PwC Malta and PwC in the Channel Islands and during his ten-year career working in Malta and abroad, he had the opportunity to work on international, high profile assignments. In 2010, Rudolph moved to Amicorp Group where he was appointed as the Global Head of Commercial Operations and was primarily responsible for setting up and developing the Corporate, Fiduciary and the Fund Administration businesses. He is a fellow member of the Malta Institute of Accountants and a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. Rudolph is a visiting lecturer at the University of Malta and acts as an examiner and tutor for dissertations related to financial services.

Kenneth Farrugia joined Bank of Valletta plc (BOV), Malta's largest banking group, in 1985 and has since occupied various positions within the Bank. He currently holds the post of Chief Business Development Officer at Bank of Valletta plc and sits on the Group's Management Board. Mr Farrugia is, amongst others, responsible for the improvement of the Bank's market position, as well as the achievement of financial growth and long-term strategic business goals. He is also Chairman of the Malta Asset Servicing Association and Chairman of Malita Investments plc which is listed on the Malta Stock Exchange. Kenneth is married to Kathleen and has two children.