Dr Christopher Bergedahl, Tax Director, Deloitte

Christopher is a Director at Deloitte Malta within the Tax function, with a focus on International Tax. In 2017 he graduated summa cum laude from the International Tax Center Leiden following which he served as a Teaching Assistant for the Fall Term of the 2017-2018 class. Christopher is warranted to practice in front of the Superior Courts of Malta and is a member of the Malta Institute of Taxation, the Malta Branch of the International Fiscal Association, the Chamber of Advocates and the Malta Institute of Financial Services Practitioners. Furthermore, Christopher currently serves as Chairperson of the International Tax Subcommittee of the Malta Institute of Taxation and actively contributes to technical working groups.

Mr Silvan Mifsud, Director, EMCS

Silvan Mifsud holds a degree in Banking & Finance from the University of Malta and an MBA from the University of Reading, specialising in Corporate Finance and Business Leadership. Silvan has been involved in various sectors of the economy from telecommunications, financial services and also manufacturing, holding various managerial and directorship roles.

Silvan is a Director for Advisory Services at EMCS, whereby he specialises in advising various family businesses on their strategy formulation, corporate governance, succession planning, internal culture, documenting and mapping operational processes & organisational structuring, financial performance analysis and sourcing their financing needs. He also provides various training sessions on leadership, communications, teamwork, conflict management, time managementand many other management topics. Silvan is the Chairperson of the Family Business Committee and a Council member within the Malta Chamber.

Mr Mirko Rapa, Partner, PwC and Chairperson of the MIA Ethics Committee

Mirko is a tax partner at PwC Malta and provides tax advice to a wide and varied portfolio of clients. Over the last 22 years has provided tax advice to companies operating in a number of sectors and individuals taking up residence in Malta.

Mr Gordon Micallef, RSM and Chairperson of the MIA Digital Committee

With a background in IT auditing and governance, Gordon brings over 24 years of experience integrating technology with business strategies. As a lecturer at the University of Malta and founding director of ISACA Malta, Gordon’s leadership is rooted in servant leadership and continuous learning.

His pragmatic approach to delivering efficient solutions aligns with RSM’s commitment to excellence. Gordon fosters a culture of growth by uncovering hidden talents and mentoring professionals. Outside of work, he finds inspiration in product design and photography, activities that complement his strategic role at RSM Malta. 

Mr Aldo Farrugia, Director General (Legal, Policy, Technical and International Relations), Malta Tax and Customs Administration

Aldo Farrugia has over 35 years of experience working in tax administration. Having joined the Malta Inland Revenue Department in 1988, he occupied various positions including Director (International Taxation), leader of the Malta Tax Treaty Negotiation Team, Competent Authority in relation to various international tax instruments and since 2013, Director General responsible for legal and international affairs within the tax administration.

Mr Anthony Pace, Partner, Head of Tax, KPMG

Anthony is the Head of Tax at KPMG in Malta. He joined the firm in 1990 and became a partner in January 2003. Anthony specialises in VAT and domestic taxation focusing on succession planning of Maltese family businesses. He is a visiting lecturer in taxation at the University of Malta.

Mr Kurt Farrugia, Director Tax Services, KPMG, and Deputy Chairperson of the MIA Direct Taxation Committee

Kurt advises a portfolio of local and international private equity clients, and specialises in the field of international corporate tax, with a particular focus on aviation, financing structures, holding structures, and succession planning. He now leads a multi-disciplinary team of professionals, advising clients on the tax implications of corporate re-organisations, compliance obligations, and international tax considerations.

Ms Ruth Farrugia, Director, Mazars, and Member of the Direct Taxation Committee

Ruth is a Tax Director at Mazars in Malta where she is involved in providing tax advice as well as compliance services to both local and international clients.  She has been awarded the Bachelor of Accountancy (Hons) from the University of Malta and the Advanced Diploma in International taxation from the Chartered Institute of Taxation.  She is a Certified Public Accountant, a Fellow Member of Malta Institute of Accountants and forms part of its Direct Tax Committee.

Mr David Ferry, Tax Partner, PwC, and Member of the MIA Direct Taxation Committee

David Ferry is a Partner and the Clients and Markets Leader at PwC Malta, specializing in VAT and indirect taxation since 1997. He joined PwC in 1994 and became a partner in 2009.

Ferry, who is a Certified Public Accountant, is a fellow member of the Malta Institute of Accountants (MIA) and serves on its Taxation Committee.

Ms Karen Spiteri Bailey, Managing Principal, RSM, and Member of the MIA Indirect Taxation Committee

With amassed experience across tax and audit departments, Karen has held leadership roles in the industry. She co-founded Spiteri Bailey & Co., which subsequently merged with RSM Malta in 2016. As a certified public accountant and auditor, Karen champions RSM’s values of Excellence, Integrity, Respect, Teamwork and Innovation.

Her leadership philosophy centres on creating an inclusive environment where team members feel empowered to share ideas. Karen’s proactive stance on change ensures RSM Malta remains at the forefront of industry developments. In her personal time, she maintains balance through personal training, which enriches her role as a Managing Principal. 

Dr Gianluca Busuttil, Senior Manager, Deloitte

Gianluca is a senior manager within the Tax & Legal team at Deloitte Malta, specialising in AML/CFT and related areas of regulation, and managing the provision of Deloitte Malta’s Tax AML services.

In recent years, Gianluca has advised on the regulatory implications of ML/TF activities with tax crimes as a predicate offence, and on the inherent and residual ML/TF risks applicable to subject persons within the Maltese gaming ecosystem.

Mr Chris Meilak, Partner Valuation, Modeling, Economics & Sustainability, EY

Chris Meilak is a Certified Public Accountant, Economist and Partner at EY Malta, leading the Valuation, Modelling and Economics sub-service line in Malta. Chris joined EY in 2006 and has carried out several assignments in relation to valuations and financial/ business modelling. Chris holds an MA in Economics and the ACCA degree and is a Visiting Lecturer in the Department of Economics, University of Malta.

Mr Manfred Barbara, Director General (Verifications and Audit), Malta Tax and Customs Administration

Mr Manfred Barbara has been working within the Maltese Public Service for the past 32 years and has occupied a management position in the Maltese Tax Administration for the past 11 years.  He is currently in charge of the Verification and Audit Department within the Malta Tax and Customs Administration, which has the function of ensuring that the correct amount of taxes are duly reported.  He also has experience in managing the Collections and Debt Management functions of the Tax Administration.  He has obtained a Diploma in Management and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Malta.

Kieran Vassallo is a manager within the tax function at KPMG Malta, specialising in VAT. On a day-to-day basis Kieran advises clients in various industries on Maltese VAT and other tax matters. Kieran is a warranted accountant and has obtained the Advanced Diploma in International Taxation.

Mr Josef Mercieca, Tax Partner, BDO

Josef Mercieca is a Tax Partner at BDO. Josef holds a first degree in Accounting and has worked with one of the Big Audit firms in Malta for four years, three years of which heading the indirect tax section of the firm.  He also acted as the Tax Director for one of the longest established small audit firms for nearly six years where he headed both the direct and indirect tax department.

Mr Edward Apap Bologna, VAT Specialist, PWC

Edward is a Certified Public Accountant and has been with PwC Malta for over 11 years. As a member of the PwC Malta VAT Team, he dedicates all his time to VAT-related matters servicing a wide range of clients operating in various industries. Additionally, he has gained experience and delivered training as part of the PwC Middle East VAT team and also lectures VAT to ACCA students