Charles Mario Abela
Marly-le-Roi
Summary
Accomplished research leader with extensive expertise in mentoring researchers and leading qualitative research projects. Demonstrates exceptional skills in data synthesis, ethical conduct, and autonomous working. Renowned for thought leadership, teaching expertise, and scholarly writing. Proficient in technical writing, research design, and public speaking. Adept at interpersonal communication and cultural awareness, with a strong commitment to intellectual curiosity and conceptual thinking. Career goal: to advance innovative research methodologies while fostering academic growth and collaboration.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
6023
6023
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Director of Standards
Global Reporting Initiative
07.2023 - 01.2025
- Lead GRI’s technical work on its standards (universal, topic and sector) along with interoperability and relationships with national and international standard setters (principally the ISSB and EFRAG)
- Manage and responsibility for relationships with the ISSB and EFRAG on delivery of MOU commitments and interoperability tools
- Responsibility for digitization of standards and XBRL developments
- Management of 10 technical staff
- Directed cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration and achieving project milestones.
Course Convenor and Head Tutor
Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership, Cambridge University
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Establishment and delivery of an executive education course (8 weeks) on governance for a sustainable future
Managing Director
Valued Redefined
01.2022 - 01.2025
- Advisory work to senior management of major companies, consulting firms and other organization on sustainability, reporting and governance
- Major clients include long-term assignments with Value Balancing Alliance, CERES and Bain &Co
- Currently leading technical work for development of Sustainability Reporting Standards for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (full-time since October 2023 and joined project in February 2023)
Director – Redefining Value
World Business Council for Sustainable Development
03.2017 - 01.2022
- Company Overview: WBCSD is a global membership body of over 200 of largest global companies committed to leadership in sustainability
- Leadership of five-year project to transform the global financial system by working with companies, investors, regulators, academics and standard setters to embed ESG into decision making (corporate governance and performance) and reporting (financial accounting and assurance)
- Leadership global assurance educational program for investors with primary focus on USA and EU markets
- Inhouse technical expert on financial and management accounting including key relationships with IFAC and national accounting bodies
Corporate Reporting and Research Director
Gather London
08.2015 - 06.2017
- Company Overview: Gather is a Strategic Communications Agency that works predominantly with FTSE 350 companies and large companies in Africa, Europe and the Middle East
- Lead advisory services to FTSE 350 on all aspects of corporate reporting (including integrated and sustainability reporting)
- Assisting clients to prepare and improve their public reports
- Lead Gather’s Research Intelligence Unit on corporate reporting, working with universities and other partners to generate debate and stimulate improvements in reporting
- Member of leadership team
- Gather is a Strategic Communications Agency that works predominantly with FTSE 350 companies and large companies in Africa, Europe and the Middle East
Course Convenor, School of Business and Management
Queen Mary University of London
06.2016 - 05.2017
- Development of a Masters Level course ‘Corporate Reporting’ which was accredited by CIMA for credit to their professional requirements
- Full administration, delivery and assessment of the course
- Course evaluation by students rated as one of the best taught courses in the School
Leader – Research and Development
International Federation of Accountants
09.2013 - 07.2015
- Company Overview: The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) is the global organisation for the accounting profession with 179 member bodies from around the world
- Responsible for research and building IFAC’s relationship with the academic community
- Established the first IFAC research centre at the University of Dayton
- Responsible for seeding new initiatives and working with staff to promote innovation
- Lead on IFAC’s Accountability
- Now
- Campaign to promote better transparency and accountability by governments around the world
- IFAC representative and lead steward on the Global Initiative for Fiscal Transparency
- Lead on IFAC’s work with the International Integrated Reporting Council to promote the adoption of Integrated Reporting across the private and public sectors
- Developing strong productive relationships with key member bodies (such as the ACCA, ICAS, ICAEW) on research and public sector reporting
- Lead on all financial reporting policy matters on key areas such corporate reporting and in developing thought leadership
- Frequent speaker at international conferences on corporate reporting
- Stakeholder lead in managing IFAC’s relationship with bodies such as the IAAER, IASB, IMF and the European Commission
- The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) is the global organisation for the accounting profession with 179 member bodies from around the world
Technical Director
Deloitte IFRS Global Office
05.2012 - 09.2013
- Company Overview: The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Global Office provides technical accounting leadership for the Deloitte worldwide network
- Providing expert accounting policy advice on the application of IFRS to transactions as part of the Deloitte’s global consultation process
- This included major global clients in technology, telecommunications, and life sciences sectors
- Develop and execute the global IFRS communications strategy including key thought leadership activities including delivery across a range of platforms
- Assist the delivery of the IFRS Integrated Market Offering including driving initiatives to grow advisory services in the EMEA region
- Creation and management of a public sector IPSAS community in EMEA and development of a global thought leadership suite for financial reporting in the public sector
- Leading an initiative across the Global network to develop functional service alignment and industry-focused communications
- Management of staff and project teams
- The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Global Office provides technical accounting leadership for the Deloitte worldwide network
Research Director
European Financial Reporting Advisory Group
09.2009 - 09.2012
- Company Overview: EFRAG is the leading European voice for improving the quality and development of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
- Responsible for leading EFRAG’s research programme working with multinational teams across Europe and the US (FASB) to deliver practical approaches to improve the ways in which companies communicate financial information to the markets
- Providing thought leadership and influencing the development of accounting policy on the global stage working with industry, professional bodies, global and European bodies and others
- Development and implementation of EFRAG’s proactive strategy for the Planning and Resources Committee of the Supervisory Board (which includes standard setters from across Europe)
- Building partnerships with industry bodies, academics and others to gain access to resources, deliver projects and improve thought leadership on financial regulation across Europe
- Managing research staff and project teams to deliver project outputs, working closely with National Standard Setters, the Technical Expert Group and key stakeholders such at the European Commission
- As a member of the management team being responsible for the overall leadership of the organisation
- Participating in the International Forum of Accounting Standard Setters to develop global approaches to complex financial reporting issues
- Being an ambassador for EFRAG delivering presentations and leading debates in the international community
- EFRAG is the leading European voice for improving the quality and development of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
01.1985 - 01.2009
- Engaged in a range of leadership positions in both the public and private sectors in Australia, Belgium and the United Kingdom principally in policy and regulation managing state finances in excess of $AUD 20 billion.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Corporate Reporting and Business Models
Queen Mary College, University of London
London07.2021
Master of Arts - Social Science (Adult Education)
Linköping University
Linkoping10.2009
Leadership in the 21st Century - Executive Training Program
JFK School of Government, Harvard University
Leadership 21 - Year long course for high-performing executives in the Victorian Public Sector
Office of Public Employment
Professional Course in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Course - undefined
Law School, University of Melbourne
CPA Program - Professional Accounting Qualification
CPA Australia
01.1996 - 01.1997
Postgraduate Course in Accounting and Finance - Butterworth’s prize for income taxation law and practice
University of Tasmania
01.1994 - 01.1995
Postgraduate Diploma in Education - Education
LaTrobe University
Bundoora12.1988
Bachelor of Commerce -
University of Melbourne
Melbourne 01.1983 - 01.1986
Skills
- Research leadership
- Conceptual thinking
- Subject expertise
- Data synthesis
- Teaching expertise
- Public speaking
- Interpersonal communication
- Mentoring researchers
Affiliations
- Fellow European Law Institute
- Fellow - Certified Practising Accountant, CPA Australia
- Fellow – Chartered Management Accountant, CIMA
Custom
- Sustainability Assurance Reference Group, IAASB, New York, USA
- Member, EFRAG Connectivity Advisory Panel
- Member, Integrated Reporting and Connectivity Committee, IFRS Foundation
- Commissioner, Global Value Commission
- Member, Subject Matter Expert, Sustainability Reporting, United Nations (UNCTAD)
- Board Member, Value Research Centre, Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan
Personal Information
Nationality: British Australian Maltese
Languages
English
Native
Maltese
Intermediate
French
Elementary
German
Beginner
Timeline
Director of Standards
Global Reporting Initiative
07.2023 - 01.2025
Course Convenor and Head Tutor
Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership, Cambridge University
01.2023 - 01.2025
Managing Director
Valued Redefined
01.2022 - 01.2025
Director – Redefining Value
World Business Council for Sustainable Development
03.2017 - 01.2022
Course Convenor, School of Business and Management
Queen Mary University of London
06.2016 - 05.2017
Corporate Reporting and Research Director
Gather London
08.2015 - 06.2017
Leader – Research and Development
International Federation of Accountants
09.2013 - 07.2015
Technical Director
Deloitte IFRS Global Office
05.2012 - 09.2013
Research Director
European Financial Reporting Advisory Group
09.2009 - 09.2012
CPA Program - Professional Accounting Qualification
CPA Australia
01.1996 - 01.1997
Postgraduate Course in Accounting and Finance - Butterworth’s prize for income taxation law and practice
University of Tasmania
01.1994 - 01.1995
01.1985 - 01.2009
Bachelor of Commerce -
University of Melbourne
01.1983 - 01.1986
Leadership in the 21st Century - Executive Training Program
JFK School of Government, Harvard University
Leadership 21 - Year long course for high-performing executives in the Victorian Public Sector
Office of Public Employment
Professional Course in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Course - undefined
Law School, University of Melbourne
Doctor of Philosophy - Corporate Reporting and Business Models
Queen Mary College, University of London
Master of Arts - Social Science (Adult Education)
Linköping University
Postgraduate Diploma in Education - Education
LaTrobe University
Similar Profiles
Beatriz TorralbaBeatriz Torralba
Licensing Software and Tools Coordinator at Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)Licensing Software and Tools Coordinator at Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)
UDITA SINGHUDITA SINGH
Content Marketing Manager at Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs – G3ictContent Marketing Manager at Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs – G3ict
PETER ORUBEBEPETER ORUBEBE
Founder at Global Ocean Literacy InitiativeFounder at Global Ocean Literacy Initiative