Malta Stock Exchange: ‘Governance matters – we want to send a clear message to all’

With its 2026 edition scheduled for 4th-6th March, the GRC & ESG Conference has cemented its place as one of Malta’s defining corporate fixtures. Malta Stock Exchange Executive Chairman Joseph Portelli sits down with Edward Bonello to explore the event’s growing influence, its international reach and why governance and sustainability are now at the centre of boardroom discussions.

Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), together with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) are increasingly a central theme for businesses in any sector, as companies grow more aware of their responsibilities within today’s evolving regulatory framework. Far from being a burden, strong practices in these areas can provide a blueprint for long-term resilience, competitiveness and growth.

It is within this context that the Malta Stock Exchange, in collaboration with the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), is once again organising its annual GRC & ESG Conference 2026, now in its fourth edition.

“Governance matters, and we want to send a clear message to all,” says Executive Chairman Joseph Portelli, setting out his ambition for the annual event, set to take place between 4 and 6 March 2026. “Our aim is for it to become the go-to gathering for GRC and ESG in the Mediterranean. Through our commitment and vision, we intend to show that Malta is a serious jurisdiction, firmly committed to governance, leaving no room for ill-intentioned actors. Companies licensed here, whether in gaming, banking, finance, or other sectors, take governance and compliance seriously. This conference is our platform to bring those successes to the forefront.”

He describes the event as a key part of the Malta Stock Exchange’s plans to align the jurisdiction with international standards. With a highly diversified economy that includes over 300 licensed gaming companies, and more than 1,000 entities regulated by the MFSA, Malta hosts a dense cluster of highly regulated sectors.

“Reputational risk is real. It takes decades to build a strong reputation but only a moment to lose it. This conference was born in the aftermath of Malta’s grey-listing by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in 2021 – a challenging chapter in Malta’s corporate history – but Malta stood up to the challenge and we turned it into an opportunity for growth. Today, the country enjoys a stellar reputation, thanks to collaboration between government, regulators and the private sector. This conference is about showcasing that progress and pushing the standards even higher,” Mr Portelli notes.

The 2025 edition drew over 500 participants from as far afield as Hong Kong and mainland Europe. “We’ve already secured speakers from Asia, the US and across the EU: regulators, bankers, senior executives, and gaming industry representatives. We’re also proud to collaborate closely with the Malta Gaming Authority and local operators, since gaming is such a central industry to the subject matter. Many gaming companies have some of the most sophisticated anti-money laundering teams in Europe, and we want to provide a platform to showcase their hard work and shine. They live and breathe compliance daily.”

Building on this diverse roster of speakers, the two-day event, set to be held at the Hilton Malta will cover a wide range of topics, including cyber security, crypto assets, capital markets, internal audit, HR challenges, women in the workplace, cyber bullying, and more.

Beyond the conference itself, the Malta Stock Exchange, established in 1992, has built a strong reputation, bolstered by the performance of its listed companies. “Today we offer a complete portfolio of platforms for ambitious businesses aiming to raise funds,” Mr Portelli explains. “Whereas previously only the main market was available, we now provide two platforms, namely Prospects MTF and the Institutional Financial Securities Market (IFSM), each tailored to specific corporate needs.” The Prospects MTF enables small and medium-sized enterprises to raise capital efficiently through bonds or equity, while the IFSM is designed to meet the needs of institutional investors – broadening access to Malta’s capital markets and supporting robust corporate governance.

These initiatives reflect the strategic vision guiding the Exchange, shaped by Mr Portelli’s experience in financial services. With over 39 years in the industry – including roles at Bank of America, Nomura Securities, Goldman Sachs, Millburn Ridgefield, and Liongate Capital Management – he has served as portfolio manager, currency and futures trader, and held senior executive roles in Malta as well as the United States.

After joining the board of the Malta Stock Exchange in 2013, he was appointed Executive Chairman and has since founded and chairs multiple MSE-owned subsidiaries, including the Malta Stock Exchange Institute.

Under his stewardship, the Malta Stock Exchange has pursued bold initiatives, venturing beyond its iconic Valletta premises, figuratively speaking, seeking to reach out to a wider audience. “Traditionally,” he shares, “local businesses relied on bank loans rather than listing. We wanted to change that, and we’ve seen a shift: more entrepreneurs are now considering listing their companies.”

The organisation also aims to provide more tools for investors. “Early in 2026, we will launch www.investi.com.mt, a comprehensive financial portal designed specifically for the Maltese investor,” Mr Portelli reveals.

While fragmentary information for traders and investors is available on Google, Yahoo Finance, or Bloomberg, no comprehensive tool was available for the typical Malta-based investor, specifically designed with a Maltese context in mind. “With www.investi.com.mt, we want to provide our investors with the right tools to make the right decisions. They will be able to access 10 years of listed companies’ data, and analyse trends,” Mr Portelli explains. “The portal will essentially do a great deal of heavy lifting for investors, which otherwise would need to be collected and collated manually, providing insights into the history of businesses, empowering Maltese investors with the tools to make informed decisions. Knowledge is power, and nowhere is it more crucial than when investing or trading.”

Returning to the GRC & ESG Conference 2026, Mr Portelli stresses inclusivity: “Ticket prices have deliberately been kept accessible, as the conference is designed to reach out to as wide an audience as possible. Our aim is to equip COOs, compliance officers and risk managers with insight into the latest challenges and best practices.”  

For more information and to book your place at the upcoming GRC & ESG Conference 2026 organised by the Malta Stock Exchange with the MFSA, taking place between 4th and 6th March 2026, visit grcweekmalta.com.

This interview first appeared in the iGaming Capital 2026 edition. For more information on the iGaming Capital 2026 edition or on www.iGamingCapital.mt, get in touch via email on info@contenthouse.mt or on +356 2132 0713. Additionally, readers can visit the iGaming Capital portal at www.iGamingCapital.mt to stay updated on the latest developments in Malta’s iGaming industry.