This year’s Malta Stock Exchange Annual Awards dinner was hosted at the Phoenicia Hotel in Floriana. Various players within the capital markets industry came together to celebrate and congratulate the award winners in three different categories.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Paul Manduca, group chairman and chairman of the nomination committee, Prudential plc. Mr Manduca, who is of Maltese origin and resides in the UK, has held various CEO positions with renowned financial institutions such as those held with Rothschild Asset Management, Threadneedle Asset Management, as well as Deutsche Asset Management. He also holds a number of chairmanships with various organisations including that of TheCityUK Advisory Council.

Various players within the capital markets industry came together

Claire Mula, manager, Board and Executive Secretariat, was awarded the Employee of the Year Award. Ms Mula has been working within the board and executive secretariat for the past 18 years. Her professionalism, positive attitude and helpful nature were among the factors that contributed to the achievement of this award.

The Company of the Year Award was delivered to Joseph Gasan on behalf of Gasan Finance plc, which forms part of the Gasan Group conglomerate. The group’s operating income shot up from €6.9 million in 2016 to €20 million in 2017, an increase of €13 million over the course of one financial year, resulting in the doubling of the operating cashflow. As Malta Stock Exchange chairman, Joseph Portelli said, this success, merited recognition.

During his speech Mr Portelli reported on the Exchange’s achievements and milestones reached during the year, particularly the international launch of the Institutional Financial Securities Market in June.

Mr Portelli also highlighted the board’s commitment to transform the Malta Stock Exchange into a “progressive and cutting-edge stock exchange” by supporting the various government initiatives particularly in the fintech field.