CHOGM 2015 is a biennial summit meeting of the Heads of Government from all 
Commonwealth nations. Every two years the meeting is held in a different member state, and is chaired by that nation’s respective Prime Minister or President, who becomes the Commonwealth Chairperson-in-Office.
CHOGM 2015 is being held by Malta is the next and 24th meeting of the heads of government of Commonwealth of Nations.
The CHOGM Business Forum (CBF) is being co-organised by the Commonwealth Economic and Investment Council (CWEIC) and the Government of Malta and is designed to provide a space for high level dialogue between business and Government leaders. An important aim is to develop stronger partnerships to ensure that the Commonwealth plays its part in promoting sustainable growth across the world. The CBF also serves as a platform for Commonwealth nations to showcase investment opportunities to the global business community. The Forum provides an opportunity for businesses to influence the debate on global trade and investment issues, network and do deals.
A Global Business Event • Hosted by Hon Joseph Muscat MP, Prime Minister of Malta.
• Addressed by Presidents and Prime Ministers from the Commonwealth’s 53 member countries and beyond.
• More than 1,000 influential business delegates representing companies from across the world. Top Level Attendance
• Heads of Government supported by their accompanying delegations, including Cabinet Ministers and senior business leaders.
• Chairs and CEOs of multinationals and global investment companies.
• World experts from a diverse range of fields. Learn from Influential Speakers
• More than 100 authoritative speakers from business, government and international institutions.
• Plenary sessions focused on major international issues and addressed by global thought leaders.
• Contribute to the dialogue in interactive breakout sessions with sector experts. An Unrivalled Networking Opportunity
• Online booking system for contacting and arranging meetings in advance.
• Networking Lounge, with dedicated staff to help facilitate meetings.
• Pre-scheduled country, region and sector networking sessions.
• Relax at a series of Receptions and Gala Dinners in the stunning environs of Malta’s historic capital city. A Platform for Doing Business
• Identify new business and investment opportunities at country, regional and sector specific sessions.
• Meet potential investors or partners for your projects.
• Visit world class manufacturing facilities across Malta. Showcase your brand
• Opportunities to introduce your company to a global business audience.
• Profile your company alongside global leaders in your field.
• Participate in the international trade show and exhibition.
• Opportunity to host sessions, including breakfast and lunches, during the Forum.
0930-1030 Opening Ceremony: Adding Global Value – Creating a More Prosperous Commonwealth
Formal opening of the Commonwealth Business Forum 2015
Keynote Address: Hon Joseph Muscat MP, Prime Minister of Malta
1030-1100 Networking Break
1100-1230 Advancing Trade: The Commonwealth, The European Union and Regional Integration
Opportunities for increasing intra-Commonwealth trade and investment, and Malta’s role
as a gateway for accessing markets in the European Union and Mediterranean.
1230-1400 Networking Lunch
1400-1530 Technology for Growth
The role of technology in creating jobs, growth and changing the way we live and do
business. Looking at ways to encourage innovation and promote start-ups across
the Commonwealth.
Small Economies Global Innovators Financing Commonwealth Trade
1530-1600 Networking Break
1600-1730 Destination Malta: Creating a Trade Hub for the EU, Middle East and Africa
The opportunity for Malta to become a regional and global trade hub building on its assets
such as its geostrategic position, historical links, global Diaspora, flexible legislative
environment and its wealth of expertise.
Next Generation Entrepreneurs Technology for Sustainable Cities
1800-1900 Reception
1900-2100 Gala Dinner
Hosted by: Hon Joseph Muscat MP, Prime Minister of Malta
Financial services for Growth
Examining the demands on financial services in ensuring the recovery, preventing another crisis and enhancing resilience, as well as highlighting the critical role of the financial services industry in creating prosperity across the Commonwealth.
1030-1100 Networking Break
1100-1230 Infrastructure for Growth Looking at ways to overcome the impediments to investment in infrastructure and attract new sources of long term capital into the sector. Innovation in Financial Services Supporting the Blue Economy
1230-1400 Networking Lunch
1400-1530 CommonHealth for Future Prosperity Harnessing the Commonwealth’s diverse experience and expertise in the healthcare sector to improve the performance of national health systems and businesses. Access to Finance: Supporting Sustainable Infrastructure for Small States the SME Journey
1530-1600 Networking Break
1600-1730 Tourism for Growth Analysing the success of the tourism industry in Malta and lessons that can be learnt by and from other Commonwealth countries, with a particular focus on supporting indigenous tourism businesses. CommonHealth Interaction Project Financing Workshop
1730-2000 Reception
2015 0900-1000 Improving the Business Environment for Growth How can the Commonwealth help to make doing business easier? This session will look at opportunities for improving the ease of doing business within the Commonwealth and improving social outcomes. Focus on the Caribbean Invest in: Led by visiting Head of Government 1000-1100 Energy Security and Sustainability for Growth How can the Commonwealth collaborate to ensure its citizens and businesses have access to affordable, sustainable and reliable sources of energy? Focus on Asia Invest in: Led by visiting Head of Government
1100-1130 Networking Break
1130-1230 A Commonwealth Vision for Sustainable Growth How can the Commonwealth work together to promote sustainable growth, economic development and ensure the benefits are shared by all. Focus on Africa Invest in: Led by visiting Head of Government
1230-1300 Concluding Session Keynote address by visiting Head of Government
1300-1400 Concluding Networking Lunch
1400-1500 Prime Minister’s Roundtable with Heads of Government
Memberships & Awards
Geraldine Noel
Director, Barrister
Qualifications
BA (Hons) (Oxford) Law
MA (Hons) (Oxford) Law
LLM (Hons) (Fordham) US law
Post Graduate Diploma, Legal Practice Course and Inns of Court School of Law, City University, London.
Jurisdictions
Malta
United Kingdom
Republic of Ireland
Memberships
General Council of the Bar of England & Wales
Chamber of Advocates; Malta
International Bar Association (IBA)
Lincolns Inn
Malta Institute of Management
Malta Institute of Taxation
Institute of Financial Services Practitioners (IFSP)
Chartered Institute of Taxation
Awards
IFLR ‘Notable Law Firm’; 2013, 2014
Malta Best in Business ‘Best Law Firm’, 2015
Powerwealth Awards, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016
As founder and managing partner, Geraldine devotes focused time, passion and extensive expertise towards overseeing and directly managing operations of the Acumum group of companies.
Alongside management responsibilities, her role also encompasses a diverse range of client work, including advisory services and agreement drafting.
Geraldine’s legal career spans more than 30 years, with positions held in the UK, Switzerland, the US, Malta and the Cayman Islands, and experience including legal, tax and corporate services. Widely recognised and acknowledged for her professional achievements, which include winning Citywealth Power Women Award for three consecutive years, Geraldine is a registered barrister in England & Wales and Republic of Ireland.
Away from work, Geraldine relishes spending quality time with her dogs and enjoys the pleasure of good food.
Michael Satariano
Director of Compliance and MLRO
Holding a key position, Michael’s important focus is on establishing and maintaining a rigorous and robust approach to governance for the Acumum group of companies.
Within his compliance remit, Michael works with the group’s licenced entities, ensuring adherence to the conditions of their respective functions and meeting regulatory requirements. His role provides solid oversight of all internal due diligence and anti-money laundering (AML) systems, including relevant policies, procedures and professional relationships.
Possessing over seven years’ experience within the compliance / anti-money laundering function, Michael’s career before joining Acumum saw him working for the Personal Tax Division of KPMG and within the Corporate Services and Trustee Divisions of several leading Maltese law firms such as Fenech & Fenech and Camilleri Preziosi.
Michael’s wide range of interests includes architecture, history and antiques. Outside of the office, he enjoys turning his hand to cooking and his attention to books.
Dr John A. Navarro
Associate Advocate
A registered Maltese barrister, John’s role within the Acumum group of companies encompasses a wide range of functions, services and specialisms.
Among areas covered are corporate law, trusts & foundations, immigration law and intellectual property. John also supports the ongoing commitment to compliance and prevention of money laundering activities and counter terrorism financing. He further specialises in the law of voluntary organisations and legal persons.
John holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Malta and Masters of Advocacy from the same widely recognised institution. He has a Foundation Certificate in Trusts Law & Management and was admitted to the Maltese Bar in 2019.
A passion for art and antiques absorbs some of his personal time, along with enjoyment of cooking and the pleasure of reading.
Michelle Cauchi
Office Manager
Ensuring the smooth day-to-day office and administration function of the Acumum group of companies rests in Michelle’s trusted hands, along with numerous other roles and responsibilities.
Among these are assisting the managing partner, database management, supplier relationships, client invoicing and monitoring of disbursements. Michelle also supports the group’s international clients, arranging transport and accommodation as needed and assisting them with any requirements. Her remit also includes responsibility for the immigration programme.
The experience and competence required for such a diverse range of roles and responsibilities come from over 15 years’ working within the legal profession.
Michelle’s personal interests include a passion for travel, the thrill of snowboarding and the peaceful pleasure of reading.
Hannah Goodlad
Legal and Compliance Administrator
Qualifications
Law (LLB), University of Warwick (2020) specialising in International and Immigration Law.
Immigration Paralegal, Central England Law Centre (2019-2020)
FIAU’s Implementing Procedures Applicable to Company Service Providers Seminar (2021)
STEP EU: US Trust Law (2021)
Institute of Legal Studies Malta: Company Law Course (2021)
Jurisdictions
Malta
United Kingdom
Republic of Ireland
Hannah encompasses a diverse range of client work, including corporate law, compliance, prevention of money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and immigration law. Hannah also maintains company files and carrys out client due diligence.
Away from work, Hannah enjoys swimming and reading.
Hannah Goodlad
Legal and Compliance Administrator
Qualifications
Law (LLB), University of Warwick (2020) specialising in International and Immigration Law.
Immigration Paralegal, Central England Law Centre (2019-2020)
FIAU’s Implementing Procedures Applicable to Company Service Providers Seminar (2021)
STEP EU: US Trust Law (2021)
Institute of Legal Studies Malta: Company Law Course (2021)
Jurisdictions
Malta
United Kingdom
Republic of Ireland
Hannah encompasses a diverse range of client work, including corporate law, compliance, prevention of money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and immigration law. Hannah also maintains company files and carrys out client due diligence.
Away from work, Hannah enjoys swimming and reading.
Benedict Popo
Private Client Advisor
Qualifications
Investment Management Certificate: CFA Society of UK.
Henley Business School, Reading University: Capital Market & Risk Compliance.
Nigerian Law School (Bar Examination).
University of Lagos (L.L.B Hons).
Awards
Chairmans Award for outstanding achievement, for UK High-value immigration Awards (September 2014).
Jurisdictions
Malta
United Kingdom
Republic of Ireland
Benedict encompasses a diverse range of client work, including citizenship, residency, and corporate services. He is responsible for business development, particularly bringing in private high net worth and family office clients.
Away from work, benedict enjoys swimming and travelling.
Dr Geraldine Spiteri
Director, Advocate (Malta)
Qualifications
B.A. (Legal & Humanistic Studies)
Dip. Notary Public
LL.D.
Dip. Eccles. Trib.
Mag. Jur. (EU & Comparative)
LL.M. (IMLI)
Jurisdictions
Malta
United Kingdom
Republic of Ireland
Geraldine specialises in corporate law, yachting & aviation directorship and advisory roles.
Away from work, Geraldine enjoys sailing, boating, looking after her pets and photography.