John A. Gauci Maistre K.M. is the founder and C.E.O of the GM Group (formerly Economicard Group of Companies) which embraces GM Corporate and Fiduciary Services Limited and its affiliates, GM International Services Limited and GM International Conferences and Exhibitions Ltd.
He has been defined as the man who put Malta on the map of flag states since he singlehandedly pioneered ship and yacht registration under the Malta Flag in the 1970s. Long attracting top-tier maritime firms together with blue chip owning companies and operators to Malta, to date GM International Services Limited has registered over 50 million tons and formed just under 2,000 companies. Almost 50 years on, he continues to contribute to sustaining the Malta Flag Registry as the undisputed leader in the EU as well as its 6th global ranking.
Owing to the worldwide stellar reputation he enjoys in the maritime industry, John Gauci Maistre was accredited by the Panamanian Government as its consul in Malta in 1994 - a post he has held ever since. Furthermore, in 1995 he co-founded the Honorary Consular Corps and served as Dean from 1995 to 2011.
It is also through his foresight to offer international clients a holistic service provider that GMC was founded in 2009, a company specifically involved in the area of international financial services focused on the design and administration of tax efficient structures, fund management and other related services. This expansion also led to a notable number of financial institutions investing in Malta.
His experience in accountancy and legal work has enabled him to sit on various government sponsored maritime committees, advisory boards and councils, including the Association of Malta Shipowners (1990-1992); The Malta Chamber of Commerce (1993-1998, 2004-2008); the Federation Union des Consuls Hororairs en Europe [F.U.C.H.E.] (1996-2011) and the Camera di Commercio Italo-Maltese (2004-2008); and the Malta International Trade Fair Council.
Guided by his strong belief to offer something to the greater community, John Gauci Maistre currently serves as President of the philanthropic organization, National Council of the Society of St Vincent de Paul and is an active member of the Maltese Association of the Sovereign Military Oder of Malta (S.M.O.M.) holding the rank of Knight of Magistral Grace.
A long-standing accountant, auditor and financial consultant, Richard Galea was appointed Director of G M Corporate and Fiduciary Services Limited in 2009 where he is responsible for reviewing, evaluating and monitoring the financial strategy and performance of the company. This entails overseeing record-keeping and compilation of financial statements; control of all financial transactions matters including audit systems; as well as ensuring that the regulatory requirements of all statutory bodies regarding all the company’s financial affairs are met.
Richard also brings a life-long experience in Business Planning, Human Resources Audits, Staff Training & Development together with Management Skills in both the private and public sectors, including annual stints of staff training at Price Waterhouse Cooper overseas .
Languages
English, Maltese, Italian, French
Memberships
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Fellow of the Malta Institute of Accountants
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Active member of A.C.C.S.E.2033
Education
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Malta Institute of Accountants, 1980-85
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St Michael’s College of Higher Education, 1968-70
Joining GMC in 2019, Jonathan is the Group’s Chief Financial Officer leading, directing and managing the accounting team. Jonathan brings 12 years of leadership, team-building, organisational, accounting and auditing experience to the Group, having honed his skills with one of the Big 4 companies synonymous with audit and assurance, consulting and tax services.
Practice Areas
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Financial control
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Overseeing preparation of financial reporting
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Budgeting
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Long-term business and financial planning
Languages
Education
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Diploma in VAT compliance, Malta Institute of Management (2013)
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Diploma in Taxation, Mata Institute of Taxation (2011)
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Bachelor of Accountancy (Hons), University of Malta (2007)
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Bachelor of Commerce, University of Malta (2005)
Marc brings a wealth of expertise and experience to his role as tax consultant. His 25 years of practical knowledge in the area of corporate finance and taxation began with one of the Big Four audit firms, followed by CFO positions with local and overseas companies mainly within the financial services industry
Practice Areas
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Corporate Finance
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Corporate Taxation (local and overseas)
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Local Personal Taxation
Languages
Memberships
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Fellow of the Malta Institute of Accountants
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Warrant to act as a Certified Public Accountant (1999)
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Registered Auditor (1999)
Education
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Bachelor of Accountancy, University of Malta (1995)
Lynn Cunningham is a Client Accountant, having worked as an accounts trainee at a manufacturing company during her studies where she gained work experience in an office environment and clerical experience.
She is currently working mainly on issuing invoices/credit notes to clients, does bank reconciliations and sending monthly statements to customers along with other administrative duties.
Practice Areas
Languages
English and Maltese
Education
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MCAST Advanced Diploma in Accounting (2016)
Despoina Xynou, lawyer by profession, is part of the legal department of GM Corporate & Fiduciary Services Limited focusing primarily on Tax and Commercial & Corporate Law. She is also the founding Partner at Gauci-Maistre Xynou, having co-founded the firm in 2015. With GMX she specialises in maritime and corporate law, ship registration, ship finance, mortgages and taxation.
Despoina’s client portfolio comprises local and international law firms, financial institutions, ship owners and managers.
Practice Areas
Languages
Greek and English
Memberships
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Admitted to the Volos Bar Association, Greece
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Malta Maritime Law Association
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Malta Chamber of Advocates
Education
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Virtual Financial Assests for VFA Agents Programme, Malta Institute of Management (2019)
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Professional Certificate in Taxation, Malta Institute of Taxation (2017)
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M.Sc. in Maritime Studies, University of Piraeus (2012)
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Bachelor of Law, Democritus University of Thrace (2005)
David Said is the Chief Operating Officer of the Group. He is involved in many sectors of the group amongst which include Administration, Human Resources & Training, Due Diligence and Compliances, Insurance, Property Development & Management, Company Projects, etc. He had joined the company way back in 1977 as a “General Duties Office Clerk” when the company was still in its infancy offering the innovative “Economicard - Cash Discount Card”, Ship & Yacht Registrations and Travel services. He gained a wealth of experience and in view of his organisational and demonstrated leadership skills, together with a good eye for detail, was soon appointed as office manager to oversee the daily administration of the company. Working in close collaboration with his Managing Director, they had successfully transformed the shipping department into the largest ship registration company in Malta. The company then ventured into other sectors such as computers, and he used his experiences to help the company make a huge success from the representation and promotion of Commodore Computers in Malta, which then became a household name. The company kept diversifying and growing adding new portfolios. He practically grew with the company and was eventually appointed as General Manager. He was a catalyst in helping the Group grow and achieve many goals and successes over decades which have helped the group arrive to where it proudly stands today.
Practice Areas
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Administration
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Management
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Maritime & Corporate Services
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Computer Sales and Marketing
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Human Resources and Training
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Due Diligence and Compliance
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Insurance
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Property Development and Management
Languages
English, Maltese, Italian
Education
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Sliema Secondary School
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Qualification to act as an Insurance intermediary
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Attending various management and motivational courses
