An opportunity to meet with the President of Malta George Vella was “Masterfully” created by our very own Christina Parry who had arranged to deliver a letter of Greetings from the Lord Major. This was very well received and allowed our group of four (Master, Senior and Junior wardens and Past-Master Lis) to engage in pertinent discussion including potentially opening a ICSA branch in Malta and views about Brexit. Our Master presented our WCCSA 40 years history, the latest Integrity magazine and the City guide to Livery companies.

Also, with the Master’s agreement , P-M Lis (a Knight of Malta) presented an as yet unpublished new book on the subject of Knights of Malta and 900 years of existence. The President was smitten and reciprocated by inviting us all to a La Scala string quartet concert for that evening. Julie Fox and Bish Lis duly presented themselves at the agreed time, were directed to the rooftop terrace, were offered drinks – only to find we had gate-crashed a young couples wedding reception. On our way out we offered them our best wishes and were advised by security to come back the following evening. Showing that even a President can get his dates muddled but the concert was outstanding.

Bish Lis 
Past Master

A highlight of our recent Master’s Weekend in Malta was the opportunity for an audience with the new President, Dr George Vella on the Saturday morning. The Master, Wardens and PM Bish Lis were delighted to deliver a message of greeting from Lord Mayor Peter Estlin. The visit was very courteous and Dr Vella stated that he would be coming to London in July and we hoped that he might find time in his schedule to meet the Lord Mayor at Mansion House.

Whilst acknowledging that following Brexit things would not be the same, he was anxious that the current good relationships between Britain and Malta would continue. He stressed that fostering good professional relationships and reciprocity was important and supported the idea of establishing an ICSA Branch in Malta and working with the Institute to develop a qualification that met the needs of governance professionals in Malta.

Senior Warden Ted Nicholl, the Master Christina Parry OBE, the President of Malta, Junior Warden Julie Fox and Past Master Bish Lis.

We were delighted that the President closed by saying we had made his day, but perhaps he says this to all his visitors!

Julie Fox
Junior Warden