Malta's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr Michael Refalo, recently attended this year's Institute of Directors (IoD) convention at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Dr Refalo was the guest of IoD Malta chairman James Satariano, who was in the UK to ensure that the IoD's leadership is maintained in a number of crucial areas.
The convention gave Dr Refalo the opportunity to represent Malta's business community and meet a number of high-level delegates and influential entrepreneurs, who were able to learn about foreign direct investment opportunities in Malta. The IoD annual convention is the main business conference and a networking event in the UK, and the largest annual gathering of senior business leaders in Europe.
Over 2,200 directors gathered for this convention, which is tailored to enable delegates to gain the maximum benefits for their business in just one day.
A number of motivated businessmen talked to delegates about 21st century business methods. Vodafone chief Arun Sarin spoke about leadership, England's triumphant rugby World Cup coach Clive Woodward revealed "the winning mindset", and Yo! Sushi founder Simon Woodruffe declared "business as the new rock and roll".
Dr Refalo and Mr Satariano met a number of industry specialists and various international businessmen. Mr Satariano also developed IoD Malta's corporate governance credentials during a meeting for executive directors.
Gerald Ratner made his return to the IoD annual convention stage 14 years after his infamous gaffe, and received a rapturous round of applause from IoD members and delegates. A humbled Ratner, who admitted he was "facing his demons" by returning to the convention stage, was an inspiration as he talked about success in the face of adversity.
Terry Leahy, CEO of Tesco, delivered a speech on striving for success, and defended the retailer's enormous profits, saying that customers acted as a natural regulator for supermarkets "just as voters help keep politicians honest". Mr Woodroffe challenged entrepreneurs to "dare to be different" and to be prepared to fail to succeed eventually in the future.
Also speaking at the convention were leading British architect Lord Richard Rogers of Riverside, founder of Cobra Beer Karan Bilimoria, founder of StopGap Clare Owen, IoD director general Miles Templeman and IoD chief operating officer Andrew Main Wilson.