The Malta operation of Blevins Franks Group has moved to new offices in Mriehel as it continues to grow at a fast pace.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who visited the new offices today, was told by company officials that the Malta operation was now the biggest in the group, which also has offices throughout the UK and Continental Europe.

Blevins Franks is a wealth management organisation providing trust and corporate services, tax and financial advice mainly to British expatriates living in France, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus and Malta, and elsewhere in Europe, Hong Kong, Canada and Australia. It manages in excess of €1 billion assets under management and comprises the largest trust company in Malta regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority.

The Malta office opened 12 years ago with 13 employees. It now boasts 85 professional staff, almost all Maltese, some in senior positions, working in trust and corporate services, investment advice and administration, financial and tax advice, compliance, accounting, IT, marketing, and office administration.

Dr Gonzi thanked Blevins Franks for their confidence in Malta's financial sector. He said that the sector had continued to expand even amidst the challenging times witnessed last year, with a 20% growth rate being registered

David Franks, founding director of Blevins Franks, said the move to the new premises confirmed the group's success in Malta and reflected confidence in future growth.

"We are totally behind the country's vision to turn Malta into a financial services centre of excellence. That is the vision we also share for our business and client base, holding our heads high in the knowledge of providing an excellent service from our base in Malta and our overseas offices," said Mr Franks.