For businesses considering Malta as the next chapter in their journey, the promise of efficient service, regulatory clarity and peace of mind is crucial. In a landscape where first impressions often determine long-term success, a reliable partner on the ground can make all the difference.

Christian Gravina, Founder and CEO of GCS Malta, understands this reality better than most. At just 35 years old, he has built one of Malta’s most dynamic multi-service corporate groups, providing a complete suite of corporate services – from accounting, auditing, tax and corporate, to recruitment – all focused on supporting international clients.

The formula for success, he says, is surprisingly straightforward, yet depends on unequivocal commitment, unequalled expertise and attentive responsiveness.

“It’s all about giving value to clients,” Mr Gravina explains. “When we manage to show how what we’re doing has a direct and immediate impact on their success, then we have the basis for a successful and long-term relationship.”

For many international businesses, Malta offers a gateway into the European market, with the added benefits of a robust legal system, English as an official language and attractive tax structures. Yet, the process of incorporation and compliance may be daunting for those unfamiliar with local systems.

This is where GCS comes in. As a licensed Corporate Services Provider, the firm guides clients through company formation, liaising directly with the Malta Business Registry (MBR) and handling all necessary documentation electronically.

“From a timeframe perspective, we are adamant about sticking to the schedule agreed upon,” Mr Gravina emphasises. “As soon as we have all the documents in place, and due diligence is complete, we can incorporate a company within a week. We understand that timeliness is crucial for clients, who want to hit the ground running. We are confident that given our command of local systems, we can be very nimble on our feet.”

That said, he stresses the importance of preparation. “It is always advisable that a client knows what they want before starting any process, particularly one as complex and multifaceted as incorporating a company,” Mr Gravina shares. “If a client isn’t ready or sure about certain details, a great deal of time may be lost. We always suggest having a clear plan forward, so when we push play, it will all proceed swimmingly.”

This emphasis on readiness reflects GCS’s broader ethos, based on transparency, honesty and efficiency. The team prides itself on never overpromising. Rather, it prefers to set realistic expectations. “That way, when a client gets a yes from us, they can take it to the bank,” Mr Gravina reassures.

Incorporation is only the beginning of the journey. For international investors, the real value lies in structuring operations to maximise efficiency and minimise unnecessary costs. Here too, GCS offers essential expertise.

“We provide guidance from a tax structure perspective, showing clients how to be more tax-efficient and minimise tax leakage,” the CEO notes. For businesses operating in highly competitive global sectors such as fintech, crypto, shipping, and aviation, every percentage point saved on tax or compliance costs can translate into significant gains.

The firm’s role, therefore, is not just administrative but strategic. By combining technical knowledge with commercial insight, GCS helps clients set up for sustainable success.

From its early foundations in accounting and audit, GCS has expanded steadily into a multifaceted operation designed to meet the evolving needs of international clients. Today, GCS comprises several divisions, including accounting, audit, tax, corporate services, and recruitment. Collectively, the group employs around 90 people and manages a portfolio of more than 350 corporate clients worldwide.

The recruitment arm is a case in point. Originally developed to address the firm’s own talent acquisition challenges, it quickly grew into a standalone service for other companies to solve similar difficulties. “Initially, we strengthened our own recruitment infrastructure to attract the best talent,” Mr Gravina recalls. “But we soon realised that talent shortages were a wider challenge. That’s when we invested in expanding recruitment as a specialised service for third-party clients.”

Today, the recruitment team numbers 10 specialists, placing candidates in accounting and financial services, as well as IT, hospitality, business support, and marketing. “Naturally, our strong suit is accounting and all fields financial,” Mr Gravina acknowledges, “but we also do remarkably well in hospitality and catering, which can be notoriously tricky to staff.”

For international firms entering Malta, GCS offers more than establishment and incorporation services – it provides a long-term partner in recruitment and strategic advisory.

For Mr Gravina, the key to client retention is trust, which depends directly on a healthy level of responsiveness. “Clients want to know they’re being heard. Sometimes it’s as simple as acknowledging an email or getting on the phone with a client. If you’re too busy to respond, a situation might spiral. Being responsive is part of the trust-building process.”

GCS does not position itself as the cheapest option in the market, yet referrals remain its strongest endorsement – a testament to the quality and reliability of its service. “That’s the best satisfaction we get – that we’re doing something right,” Mr Gravina says.

One of GCS’s key strengths lies in the diversity of its client base. Its portfolio mirrors the diversity of Malta’s economy, with clients in gaming, fintech, crypto, shipping, aviation, and investment, as well as Government bodies such as the Water Services Corporation, Identità and Malta Air Traffic Services.

The group is also authorised by the Malta Gaming Authority to provide audit services to gaming and crypto clients – a growing and highly specialised sector that demands both technical proficiency and regulatory insight.

“At any given time, we may be handling business for payment institutions, tax structuring for trading companies, or advisory services for operators of private jets and superyachts. This breadth of expertise allows us to act as a true one-stop-shop for international businesses navigating Malta’s corporate environment,” Mr Gravina concludes.

Images: Christian Gravina by Inigo Taylor