The Audit Committee’s primary objective is to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities: in dealing with issues of risk, control and governance; and review the financial reporting processes, financial policies and internal control structure. Although the Audit Committee is set up at the level of the Company its main tasks are also related to the activities of the Group.
The Board has set formal terms of establishment and the terms of reference of the Audit Committee that establish its composition, role and function, the parameters of its remit as well as the basis for the processes that it is required to comply with. The Audit Committee is a sub-committee of the Board and is directly responsible and accountable to the Board.
Furthermore, the Audit Committee has the role and function of scrutinising and evaluating any proposed transaction to be entered into by the Company and a related party, to ensure that the execution of any such transaction is at arm’s length and on a commercial basis and ultimately in the best interests of the Company.
The Audit Committee is composed of 3 members. Mr. Charles Scerri and Mr. Benjamin Muscat are non-executive Directors and qualified accountants, who the Board considers as independent and competent in accounting.
Mr Charles Scerri – Chairman of the Audit Committee and Independent Non-Executive Director
Charles Scerri is a Certified Public Accountant by profession (Fellow of the Institute of Accountants) with a long career in finance and management at senior executive positions. He has worked in various industry sectors including banking and finance, auditing, leisure and hospitality. In 1995 he set up his own accountancy and audit practice, Charles Scerri & Associates, with the firm currently employing more than 45 employees and being the exclusive representative of IAPA in Malta. Charles also sits as an independent director on various boards.
Mr Benjamin Muscat – Chairman of the Board and Independent Non-Executive Director
Benjamin Muscat is a Certified Public Accountant by profession (Fellow of the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants – FCCA) with a long career in finance and management at senior executive positions. He has worked in various industry sectors including switchgear manufacturing, food production, beer and soft drink brewing and production and bottling, international fast-food franchising, hospitality and timeshare, construction and real estate development, including marketing and selling luxury condominiums. In his capacity as Chief Executive Officer of MIDI Plc a Maltese-listed company, Benjamin was key in the development of the Tigne’ Point Project. Benjamin was also instrumental in the promotion of the re-generation of part of Malta’s historical Grand Harbour including the development of a cruise ship porting facility locally known as the Valletta Waterfront project. He also has extensive experience in raising project specific funding via banking facilities, third-party investment, private placements, and issue of equity and debt instruments through retail offers subsequently listed on the Malta Stock Exchange. Today Benjamin provides professional services as a freelance consultant and independent directorship services.
Dr Kevin Deguara – Non-Executive Director
Dr Deguara is a qualified lawyer and founder partner of DF Advocates. Dr Kevin Deguara heads the Private Client Department within the firm. He specializes in international structuring for ultra-high net worth individuals, families, succession, asset protection structuring, citizenship and immigration issues. He has also considerable experience acting as a transactional lawyer specialising in real estate. He has over the last 17 years advised developers and landowners on a variety of residential, commercial, retail, leisure, educational and mixed-use developments. He also occupies a number of posts as director on the boards of a number of companies involved in retail, manufacturing, real estate, corporate services and hospitality business.