IFSP and BOV strengthen governance dialogue through Boardroom Excellence workshop

Bank of Valletta and the Institute of Financial Services Practitioners are continuing to strengthen their strategic collaboration through the latest Boardroom Excellence workshop.

Organised by IFSP’s Directors Chapter, IDC Malta, the workshop focused on Strategy and Value Creation, bringing together directors, senior executives and financial services practitioners for a practical discussion on boardroom effectiveness, strategic decision-making and sustainable value creation.

The session forms part of the Boardroom Excellence Workshop Series, a five-part programme designed to elevate governance standards and strengthen boardroom performance in an increasingly complex regulatory and business environment.

Speaking during the workshop, Kenneth Farrugia, Chief Executive Officer at Bank of Valletta, highlighted governance as a strategic capability, particularly in financial services, where trust, accountability and long-term resilience remain central to institutional credibility.

“Strong governance is one of the foundations on which trust in financial services is built,” said Mr Farrugia. “It goes beyond structures, policies and reporting lines. It is reflected in the quality of decisions, the clarity of accountability, and the ability of institutions to create sustainable value while managing risk responsibly.”

Mr Farrugia noted that the sector is being shaped by heightened regulatory expectations, technological change, evolving customer needs and increasing stakeholder scrutiny. In this context, he said, boards and senior leaders must continue to strengthen their judgement, oversight and ability to balance opportunity with responsibility.

“Our collaboration with IFSP reflects BOV’s commitment to supporting the continued development of Malta’s financial services sector,” Mr Farrugia added. “As Malta’s largest financial institution, we have a responsibility to contribute to initiatives that promote professional development, thought leadership and stronger governance capability across the industry.”

The workshop reflects the broader objectives of the strategic agreement between BOV and IFSP, centred on knowledge sharing, professional development and joint initiatives that support Malta’s financial services professionals and organisations.

Through this collaboration, BOV and IFSP are creating practical opportunities for dialogue, learning and engagement on issues shaping the future of the sector, including governance, regulatory readiness, innovation, leadership and long-term competitiveness.

Commenting on the collaboration, Mr Nick Captur, President of IFSP, said: “The relationship between IFSP and BOV reflects the importance of collaboration between professional bodies and leading market institutions. Through the Directors Chapter and the Boardroom Excellence series, we are creating opportunities for directors and senior professionals to engage with governance in a practical, relevant and forward-looking way.”

The Boardroom Excellence Workshop Series combines expert insight, practical case studies and boardroom simulations to support current and aspiring directors and senior executives in strengthening their understanding of board responsibilities and leadership-level decision-making.

BOV and IFSP reaffirmed that continued investment in governance capability, professional standards and sector-wide dialogue remains essential to Malta’s long-term competitiveness as a financial services jurisdiction. Their collaboration will continue to support responsible leadership, regulatory awareness and sustainable value creation.