Francesca Vella

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Services

Financial statements audits
Financial statements audits
Financial statement reviews
Financial statement reviews
Financial statements compilations
Financial statements compilations
Reporting on controls at a service organisation
Reporting on controls at a service organisation
IFRS
IFRS
Audit quality monitoring
Audit quality monitoring
Global audit technology
Global audit technology
Systems and risk assurance
Systems and risk assurance

If you are in the process of expanding, diversifying or re-engineering your business, our advisory team can help you make better decisions. The combination of...

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General business consulting
General business consulting
Market research
Market research
Business planning and performance improvement
Business planning and performance improvement
Change and program management
Change and program management
Business intelligence and analytics
Business intelligence and analytics
Business valuation and litigation support
Business valuation and litigation support
Business process outsourcing and consulting
Business process outsourcing and consulting
Family business consulting
Our business solutions for family businesses center on alignment of all aspects of the family and business, including culture, vision, mission, values, governance, ownership, leadership, communication and policy development.
Quantitative small caps
Grant Thornton has a wide professional network with a vast array of technical skills that is coupled with a drive to understand the business problem; we can set up the most efficient financial risk management structure that fits your underlying business structure and your risk appetite.
Data analytics
Data analytics is the process through which businesses leverage data to gain actionable insights and enhance their performance. This is based on a solid foundation of well-organised and accurate data. Many businesses have a large amount of data at their disposal however, most of them do not have the expertise to analyse the available data.

Business Process Solutions

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Bookkeeping & financial accounting
Bookkeeping & financial accounting
Payroll and personnel administration
Payroll and personnel administration
Direct and Indirect tax compliance
Tax compliance within outsourcing
Compilation of financial statements
Compilation of financial statements
Business process outsourcing
Business process outsourcing including back office and secretarial
Family business consulting
Family business consulting
Startups
Startups
Company formation
Company formation
BOR
Entities in Malta, including companies, partnerships, foundations, trusts and associations, have an obligation to disclose the ultimate beneficial owner/s (physical person) of the entities. A beneficial owner is defined as the individual (s) who ultimately owns or controls a legal entity or arrangement through direct or indirect ownership of a sufficient percentage of the shares or voting rights or ownership interest in that entity.

Business Risk Services

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Internal audit
Internal audit
Risk management and internal controls consulting
Risk management and internal controls consulting
Governance and risk management
Governance and risk management
Regulatory services
Regulatory services
Risk modelling services
Risk modelling services
Forensic and investigation
Forensic and investigation
Compliance audit
A compliance audit is a detailed review which focuses on whether an organisation is in conformity with statutory laws as well as internal rules and decisions. This type of audit also assesses the effectiveness of an organization’s internal controls by identifying weaknesses in compliance processes whilst finding measures to enhance such processes.

Citizenship

With its balmy Mediterranean climate and favourable business environment, Malta is the ideal place to relocate your family and/or your business.

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Citizenship by naturalisation
The Maltese Citizenship Act (Cap 188) establishes who may become a citizen of Malta by naturalisation, provided that the applicant satisfies the relative provisions.
Grant of Citizenship for Exceptional Services
Malta has enacted legislation which extends to individuals providing excellent or manifestly superior contributions in the fields of science, research, sports, arts and culture as well as people of exceptional interest to the Republic of Malta, the right to become Maltese citizens.
Acquisition of citizenship by registration
The Maltese Citizenship Act (Cap 188) establishes who can register as a citizens of Malta. The Act was amended on 1st August 2007, this making it possible for second and subsequent generations born abroad to acquire Maltese citizenship by registration.

Family businesses

Our business solutions for family businesses center on alignment of all aspects of the family and business, including culture, vision, mission, values,...

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Maltese Family Businesses Resource Centre
For over 30 years Grant Thornton’s advisory teams have assisted family businesses in navigating the challenges of leadership and succession across generations
Grooming
Preparing the next generation for leadership and ownership is an integral part of any succession process. Grant Thornton can help formulate the necessary grooming plan for all the potential successors.
Tax services
Using a combination of reason and instinct, we can work with clients to develop a strategy that helps them understand and manage their tax liability in a transparent and ethical way.
Governance
Having a proper governance structure is essential to ensure that the family and business strategies are achieved. Grant Thornton can advise on this, and facilitate the implementation of the ideal governance structure based on the exact scenario.
Ownership succession
Letting go of your family business is difficult for all owners and even more so for founders; however, in a family business the additional challenge presented by the family component increases the complexity of this process. Our team of family business advisors will ensure that such ownership issues are dealt with in an effective and structured approach.
Exit strategies
There are many 'exit strategies' that need to be considered to minimise the risk of conflict. They can arise from the eventual exit of a family member from the ownership ranks and can have many causes. See how we can help.
Management succession
By implementing our family business guidelines to family succession and a proper governance structure, the management succession process can be completed with minimal conflict and will result in the most competent successor being chosen.

Grants and Funding

At Grant Thornton, we specialise in providing comprehensive assistance to navigate the complex landscape of National and European Union (EU) funding. Our team...

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Digital Consulting

Transform the way you go about your business, through the power of digital.

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Shaping Malta's Future: GenAI
Join our exclusive GenAI Design Thinking Workshop with Microsoft and industry leaders. Gain practical insights, explore real-world AI use cases, and leave with a blueprint for your next AI-driven innovation - potentially 100% funded by Microsoft!
DORA Consultancy
Firms within the financial sector face a critical imperative to fortify their operational resilience in the digital sphere. Get ahead & prepare for DORA!
Cyber security Consultancy
Whether you are a multinational corporation, a small business, or an individual, the digital realm holds equal importance for us all.
Digital Transformation
Build a solid foundation to fuel business reinvention and gain the flexibility you need to succeed through digital transformation.
IT Audit and Assurance
Information systems procedures have evolved drastically, but so have hacking techniques. Assess your IT resilience & protect your firm!
Fintech and Innovation
Are you ready to explore the fintech space? Grant Thornton is able to guide you from start to finish.
Case Studies
Digital transformation has transitioned from being an option to a necessity. The race is on... The question is, are you ready?

Recovery and reorganisation

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Operational and financial restructuring and reorganisation
Operational and financial restructuring and reorganisation
Recovery
Recovery

Regulatory Services

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Financial regulatory services
Financial regulatory services
GDPR consultancy
The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) have transformed the way we handle personal data. This regulation is a game-changer for businesses operating within the EU, or the handling of EU citizens' data worldwide.
Ship and aircraft registration
Ship and aircraft registration
Medical cannabis licensing in Malta
A study published in 2018 by market intelligence and strategic consultancy firm Prohibition Partners, has forecasted that the European cannabis market will be valued €115.7 billion by 2028. According to the same study, while patient numbers are currently below 100,000 across the region, their number is set to grow to over 30 million in the next decade. In 2018 Malta introduced a bill to legalise the use of medical marijuana and attract companies willing to produce high-grade medical cannabis for the European market.
Trust and trustee services
As an entrepreneur, business owner, parent or guardian, you will want to ensure that whatever happens in the future, the rewards from your hard work can be protected as efficiently as possible. Grant Thornton Fiduciaire Limited (Grant Thornton) understands this and provides a professional and holistic trust management service.
Family trusts
The law establishes the requirement of a license for one to be able to act as a trustee subject to certain limited exceptions. One such exception is found in the Rules for Trustees of Family Trusts which provide for an exception to this rule where a trust is set up to hold property settled by a settlor or settlors for the present and future needs of family members or of family dependants who are clearly identifiable.

Residence and Citizenship

Grant Thornton is authorised and regulated by the Government of Malta to handle and submit applications for both citizenship applications as well as residence...

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Programmes
Grant Thornton is authorised and regulated by the Government of Malta to handle and submit applications for both citizenship applications as well as residence permits under the various residence programmes available in terms of Maltese law.
Ordinary residency in Malta
Any EU, EEA or third country national who resides in Malta for more than 3 months is obliged to apply for a Residence Permit. There are various grounds upon which an applicant may apply to require a residence permit, including: Self-Sufficiency, Employment or Self-Employment, Family Members, Permanent Residence, Study Purposes.
Qualifying Employment in Aviation Rule
Malta provides qualified persons employed in the field of aviation with an opportunity to enjoy a 15% flat personal tax rate on income generated from their direct employment in Malta. For a candidate to qualify, their annual income must exceed €45,000. This does not include the value of fringe benefits and applies to the derived income received from an eligible office.
Qualifying Employment in Innovation and Creativity (Personal Tax) (Amendment) Rules, 2019
These Rules allows persons employed in a role directly engaged in carrying out, or management of research, development, design, analytical or innovation activities, to enjoy a 15% flat personal tax rate on income generated from their direct employment in Malta.
Qualifying Employment in Maritime and Offshore Oil & Gas Industry Rule
Malta provides qualified persons employed in the field of aviation, with an opportunity to enjoy a 15% flat personal tax rate on income generated from their direct employment in Malta.
Nomad Residence Permit
The NOMAD residence permit, which was launched in June 2021, allows third-country nationals who would normally require a Visa to travel to Malta, to retain their current employment based in another country whilst legally residing on the island.

Related insights:

What you need to know before 1 August 2025 Malta Labour Migration Policy

Malta's new Labour Migration Policy comes into effect on 1 August 2025, reshaping how foreign nationals live and work on the island. Published by Identita' Malta, the policy aims to align migration practices with labour market needs, increase transparency for foreign workers, and enforce compliance. Employers and professionals must act now to adapt to new rules on residence permits, employment licensing, and sector regulations.

Anne Marie Degabriele

| 28 Jul 2025

Sustainability

Sustainability is indeed a broad concept. Aside from mitigating the environmental changes caused by the interaction of the industrial world and society with...

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Tax services

Tax and regulatory

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Direct international tax
Direct international tax
Indirect international tax
Indirect international tax
Global mobility services
Global mobility services
Transfer pricing
Transfer pricing
Estate planning
Estate planning
Wealth advisory
Wealth advisory
Regulatory and legal
Regulatory and legal
Corporate tax services
Corporate services
VAT
At its simplest, VAT is a tax on consumption and is a multi-stage tax (ie applied at every stage of the production process), which is applied to both goods (ie tangible property) and services. Additionally, although the tax is ultimately borne by the consumer (by getting included in the price paid), responsibility for charging, collecting and passing the tax on to the tax authorities, rests with the supplier.
2018 Amendments of the Income Tax Act
The following is a brief overview of the new tax provisions introduced in 2018 by the Budget Implementation Act (Act VII of 2018) and other legislative enactments

Transaction Advisory services

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Mergers and acquisitions
Mergers and acquisitions
ESEF Reporting
Our ESEF reporting service is tailored to assist listed companies in complying with the European Single Electronic Format (ESEF) requirements. As of 2020, ESEF is mandated for annual financial reports of issuers with securities listed on regulated markets. We provide services for mapping the taxonomy and generating audit/regulator-ready xHTML reports.
Prospects MTF
As of 2016, small and medium-sized enterprises in Malta can access the capital markets through Prospects - a market of the Malta Stock Exchange (MSE) designed specifically for Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SME). Prospects offers a cost-effective opportunity for entities looking to raise up to €5 million per issue.
Project financing
Project financing
Due diligence
Due diligence
Valuations
Valuations
Foreign direct investment
Foreign direct investment (FDI) is the category of international investment that echoes the objective of obtaining a lasting interest by an investor in one economy in an enterprise resident in another economy.
Wholesale Securities Market
WSM is a joint venture between the Malta Stock Exchange and the Irish Stock Exchange, combining the best of each partner’s processes and technical skills.

Industries

Transport Services

Due to the breadth of expertise available, Grant Thornton can provide players in three main sectors of the transport industry; these being Maritime, Aviation,...

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Aviation
The Maltese Government is constantly remaining to improve the position as the best place to do business within the aviation industry through exhaustive tax agreements, powerful legislation, and many aviation professionals. This is the best time for airlines, financiers and aircraft owners to be located in Malta.
Maritime
For Maritime, Grant Thornton provide direction with regards to VAT guidelines for yacht leasing, as well as ship and aircraft registration.
Automotive
We offer a broad range of services relating to automotive, ranging from Transaction advisory, access to finance, business advisory, process and inventory management, tax advisory, audit and advisory, outsourced support services.

Consumer goods

The industry is emerging at a very fast rate. Consumers are building the industry by demanding lower prices and findings new ways to buy food and drinks,...

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Public sector

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iGaming

With a sound jurisdiction that steers clear of bureaucracy and that has a proven track record, the iGaming industry in Malta is continuing to build on its...

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Gaming Regulations
Malta recently overhauled the framework regulating the iGaming sector. Going forward operators will still be required to obtain authorisation to carry out regulated activities.
Licensing Process
Prior to submission all applicants are advised to go through a pre-application process with one of the MGA’s Licensing Officers. This will ensure that the application has been correctly compiled and all the key ingredients are present.

Startups

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Real estate

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Malta Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)
As part of the 2019 budget, the government has pledged to introduce a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) framework in Malta.

Hospitality & tourism

The hospitality and leisure industry is going through a period of extraordinary, inevitable change and will look very different in 2020 than it does today. On...

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Healthcare

Healthcare is a swiftly changing sector. Providers and commissioners of healthcare encounter the challenges of rising public expectations, an ageing...

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Financial services

Financial services businesses engage in an increasingly complex and heavily regulated environment. Grant Thornton's multi-disciplinary Financial Services Group...

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The Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) II
MiFID II aims to protect investors and make sure that financial markets operate in the fairest and most transparent way possible. Building on stock and investment trading regulation introduced in 2007 it sets to ensure a more integrated financial market.
Fintech and Innovation
At Grant Thornton we help innovative firms and entities operating in the fintech space launch new propositions and grow their business. We also help established businesses transform and take advantage of the fintech revolution.
Asset Management
At Grant Thornton we help innovative firms and entities operating in the fintech space launch new propositions and grow their business. We also help established businesses transform and take advantage of the fintech revolution.
Banking
Grant Thornton combines local insight with global scale to help banks meet regulatory expectations, improve technology, and finance the right companies. If you’re looking for a partner in the banking industry, our expertise can make a difference

Francesca is a sustainability and economic advisory professional with over ten years of experience helping organisations integrate sustainability into their strategic and financial decision-making. As Director and Head of Sustainability at Grant Thornton Malta, she leads the firm’s sustainability practice, supporting clients in navigating the rapidly evolving ESG landscape.

Her expertise spans CSRD and ESRS implementation, GRI reporting, sustainable finance, and third-party assurance. Francesca’s team verified Malta’s first Green Bond and continues to provide external review and impact verification services aligned with the EU Taxonomy and ICMA Principles.

With a background in economic analysis and impact evaluation, Francesca brings a data-driven and pragmatic perspective to sustainability — bridging strategy, finance, and regulation to help organisations deliver credible, transparent, and forward-looking disclosures.

She holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Economics and Management from the London School of Economics and Political Science and is certified by the GHG Institute in GHG Verification. Francesca is also a PRINCE2 Practitioner, a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society, and a GRI Certified Sustainability Professional.

Qualifications