A pro-active attitude is key to the successful delivery of a broad range of services offered by the Corporate Services Department of Portman International through its offices in Malta, the UK and Ireland.

According to Paula Vella Sciriha, who heads the department and is also responsible for Portman International's London office: "Clients want things done, perfectly, yesterday. We strive to do so and also give them that bit extra, which enhances their level of satisfaction." This requires foresight.

Since joining Portman International two years ago from the Malta Financial Services Authority, where she worked in the Company Compliance Unit, Dr Vella Sciriha has made it her task to gain the trust of her staff, increase their level of motivation and introduce new work practices and procedures to promote higher quality. "Today I am quite proud of my staff," she said.

Although more technical and competent staff have been recruited, including lawyers, she still insists on continual updating and training, both locally and abroad. Members of staff are given the opportunity to study for the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators qualification.

Internal seminars are conducted by Dr Vella Sciriha herself and for the past two years she has also lectured in the Institute of Financial Services Practitioners course on Trust Law and Administration, recognised by the Society of Trustees and Estate Practitioners (STEP) of UK. She is also the author of a book on trust law, To Trust or not To Trust - The New Law.

"It is a question of roping in the staff, involving them and making them feel one with the company," Dr Vella Sciriha said. "It is important to explain why things have to be done the way they are and motivate the staff to achieve that high level of quality that is required, she continued."

The range of services offered is increasing all the time. "As soon as we recruit someone with a new capability, the work flows in," Dr Vella Sciriha observed. Among these services are the drafting of commercial and Intellectual Property contracts; company formation in the three countries where Portman International has offices, as well as in the United States and no fewer than nine other jurisdictions; statutory changes to companies and compliance under the respective Companies Act; setting up and administering trusts; company secretarial work; nominee services; company migrations; assistance in application for work permits; yacht and boat registration in Malta and abroad and giving legal opinions.

Dr Vella Sciriha makes it a point to customise and personalise contracts to individual client needs: "I have not seen a 'standard' contract for almost a year," she remarked. Among the challenges faced is the need to continually improve on response times, offer a personalised service and maintain a high level of quality.

"This is what the market demands, which in turn drives us continually to achieve more in order to maintain our competitive edge," says David Marinelli, Portman International managing director.

Among the targets set for this year is an increase in trust and contract work while ensuring the provision of the highest level of company secretarial support to clients. This is where Dr Vella Sciriha's foresight comes in, always attempting to pre-empt and anticipate clients' needs.

Mr Marinelli is expecting the department to grow both in terms of quality and quantity of work. "Our systems allow us to handle quantity while still providing the expected quality of services," he said.

"The demand for UK company services remains constant, and we are expecting and experiencing an increase in the workload relating to Irish, Maltese and US companies."

Following the consolidation of the staff and systems at the London office, Dr Vella Sciriha is also tasked with doing the same with Portman International's Dublin office. "The amount of business from Ireland is increasing," she said. "The same formula as was adopted in London is being followed. I see no reason why there should not be a similar success in Ireland."

A lot of new work comes in through referrals from existing clients. "With the fiduciary business, it is reputation and a track record of good service that is important," Dr Vella Sciriha said. "We are building relationships."

With the current staff compliment in the Corporate Services Department of two lawyers, seven officers and three part-time secretaries spread over three countries, the department is continuing to grow. "We have openings not only in Malta but in our overseas offices, offering a rewarding career to those who wish to pursue their studies while working," she said.

To see the latest job vacancies at Portman International visit the career section in Portman International's website .