Gabriele Rossi
Director
After graduating from Bocconi University, Gabriele worked as an auditor for PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC). He later moved to Vodafone (Italy) where he shaped the Planning and Economics department. Gabriele then worked as a financial analyst for Mediobanca, evaluating Italian big cap and managing the examination of several IPOs. He went on to manage the Italian equity research department at Exane BNP Paribas and, subsequently, Gabriele co-managed a long-short equity fund at Sequoia and Lemanik SA. Gabriele is a Director of AQA Capital Ltd.
Alberto Conca
Director and Chief Investment Officer
Alberto has over 20 years of experience in portfolio management, having worked in the United States, Ireland, Italy and Switzerland. After graduating in Economics from the University of Pavia, Alberto moved to Connecticut (USA), where he worked on the development of non-linear models for the prediction of volatility. He later returned to Italy and worked for RAS, becoming the Head of Equity at Aletti Gestielle. Alberto then worked as a fund manager for Kairos Alternative Investments, and at Pioneer Alternative Investments, where he co-managed the Global Long Short Fund from Ireland. In 2008, he arranged and managed funds at Sequoia and later at Lemanik.Alberto is a Director and Chief Investment Officer at AQA Capital Ltd
Christian Manicaro
Managing Director
Christian graduated in Economics from the University of Malta and started his career as a Merger and Acquisitions analyst at the Office of Competition. Later, he moved to the United Kingdom, reading an MSc at the University of York and acquiring the CFA Charterholder. After his studies, Christian joined APS Bank Limited in Malta as a fund manager. He then joined AQA Capital Ltd, setting up offices in Malta and networking connections throughout the country. He is also currently reading a PhD in Finance and is a visiting lecturer at the University of Malta. Christian is a Managing Director at AQA Capital Ltd.
Elaine Bonnici
Director and Chief Executive Officer
Elaine started her career at one of Malta’s leading banks, focused primarily on retail and commercial advances. She then moved to the Malta Financial Services Authority, within the Authorisation Unit, gaining extensive experience in the regulatory framework for investment services and collective investment schemes. Elaine joined AQA Capital as the Head of Compliance and was later appointed as Head of Strategy and Business Development. She also sits on the board of Irish and Luxembourgish collective investment schemes. Elaine holds an Honours Degree in Banking and Finance and a Master’s Degree in Banking and Finance, both awarded from the University of Malta, and has her academic work published in the Islamic Economic Studies journal. Elaine is a Director and Chief Executive Officer at AQA Capital Ltd.
Joseph Falzon
Director
Professor Falzon holds a Ph.D. degree in Economics from Northwestern University, USA. He has served as a consultant to several leading organizations and financial institutions in Malta, including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economic Services, Economic Policy Division, Malta Tourism Authority, and the Malta Council of Economic and Social Development (MCESD), the Bank of Valletta and the Central Bank of Malta. He has also served as a Board Member of the National Tourist Organization, Enemalta and Malta Statistics Authority. He is the founder and former Head of the Department of Banking and Finance and the former Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy at the University of Malta. At present, Professor Falzon is a consultant to various firms and SICAVs, and is also the deputy Chairman of the Malta Stock Exchange. . Professor Falzon was appointed as Director of AQA Capital Ltd in 2015.
Joseph Portelli
Director
Joseph has over 39 years of experience employed in various capacities within the financial industry in the U.S and in Malta. He has experience as a portfolio manager, currency, and futures trader, and has worked with Bank of America, Nomura Securities, Goldman Sachs, Millburn Ridgefield, and Liongate Capital Management. He was also chief investment officer and managing director of FMG Funds, an emerging markets specialist. He is currently the Executive Chairman of the Malta Stock Exchange and sits on its Audit Committee. Between April 2013 and April 2015 he sat on its board and chaired its Risk Management Committee. In 2015 he was named chair of the Malta Stock Exchange PLC and has founded and chairs various MSE-owned subsidiaries such as the Malta Stock Exchange Institute amongst others. He also offers risk management consulting, and sits on the boards and investment committees of numerous asset management and financial service companies domiciled in Malta. Joseph also sits on the Malta Financial Services Advisory Council a board constituted by the Finance Ministry of Malta and is chairman of the World Federation of Exchanges, Governance and Nominations Committee. Joseph was also a visiting lecturer at the University of Malta and has taught courses at the Malta Institute of Accounting, and other institutions. He was a regular contributor to the Times of Malta, writing about investor education. Joseph graduated with a BA from Baruch College, City University of New York. Mr Portelli was appointed as Director of AQA Capital Ltd in 2015.
Mario Fountain
Chief Operating Officer
Mario joined AQA Capital Ltd with over 15 years of experience in the Fund Services Industry with BOV Fund Services Ltd, a subsidiary of Bank of Valletta plc, where he was the Deputy Head of the Finance Department. Previously he obtained his Honours Degree in Banking & Finance from the University of Malta graduating in 2005. Mario is the Chief Operating Officer at AQA Capital Ltd.
Giacomo Severini
Business Implementation Manager and Investment Committee Member
Giacomo obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Business at the University of Siena in 2015. He then attended an English Master’s Degree course in Business Management at the University of Roma La Sapienza, where he graduated with full marks in 2017. He started working in the asset management industry as a back-office operator, moving shortly after to the trading desk where he acted as execution trader for UCITS, alternatives funds and private HNWI portfolios. He was then authorised by the MFSA as Investment Committee member and Portfolio Manager in 2020. He currently works within the business development team at AQA Capital Ltd, assisting clients in structuring both retail and alternative investment funds in various jurisdictions, guiding them throughout the set-up process and focusing on the investment strategy definition and selection of the appropriate network of brokers and service providers.
Davide Palmaghini
Investment Committee - Real Estate
Davide achieved his Master's Degree in Business Administration and Management in 2003, followed by a Master's Degree in Business Engineering in 2005, both from Università Cattaneo. In 2005, he attended the Post Graduate Course in Real Estate Development and Management at Politecnico di Milano. Davide is an experienced Investment Fund Manager with a specialized focus on Real Estate and Alternative Investment Funds, operating under the EU AIFM Directive. He also serves as a lecturer for the Real Estate University Master program at the ABC department of Politecnico di Milano and as a committee member at the CeRAR Research Center of Università degli Studi di Brescia. Davide is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS), with specialism on "Property Finance and Investment and he also contributes as an RICS ACP Assessor. Davide fulfills the role of Real Estate Specialist and is an Investment Committee member at AQA Capital Ltd..
Antonella Ponte
Investment Committee - Real Estate and Private Equity
Antonella is a corporate finance professional with +20 years’ experience in the investment banking, corporate and private equity industries. After graduating in Business Administration from Bocconi University, in Milan, she started her career in the corporate finance team of PricewaterhouseCoopers and then spent 9 years at Deutsche Bank, later also acting as Vice President in the Continental Europe M&A team based in London. In 2009 she joined the Banchero Costa group of companies to lead debt and equity new initiatives in the shipping sector. More recently Antonella formed part of the investment team of Oxy Capital, as an investment advisor focused on turnaround opportunities. Antonella is an Investment Committee member at AQA Capital Ltd.
Simone Colombo
Portfolio Manager – AQA Colombo Extra Return Fund
Simone has over 15 years of experience in financial markets, first as a trader and then as a portfolio manager in various institutional realities. He matured experience in Banca Profilo, where he developed his derivatives sales skills before then moving to Banca Leonardo as a proprietary trader, with volatility and carry trading books on the main European markets. He then became responsible for the Treasury Department of the Bank and then private banker for the main large customers of the same. Simone joined AQA Capital Ltd in 2019, managing the Colombo Extra Return Fund.
Chiara Sestan
Italian Branch Manager
After graduating in Finance from Bocconi University, Chiara joined the Equity and Derivatives desk at Euromobiliare Sim as a proprietary trader on the Italian Stock Index and single stock options. She later moved to Banca Profilo where she gained particular skills in sales to institutional investors, mainly UK based Hedge Funds. Chiara then worked at Equita Sim where she developed skills in special situation analysis such as long-short trading, right options and capital increase. Chiara is the Italian Branch Manager at AQA Capital Ltd.
Rebecca Xuereb
Head of Strategy and Business Development
After obtaining a BA in Business Management with Law and an MSc in Finance, Rebecca joined Malta’s largest banking group where she was appointed as Manager of Business Development and Corporate Services. Rebecca was mainly responsible for developing the business of the Group’s fund administration subsidiary and assisting fund managers and promoters from various jurisdictions in successfully structuring their retail and alternative fund vehicles and asset management operations.
Rebecca then joined AQA Capital as Business Implementation Manager in 2022 where she continues to assist promoters in structuring their fund vehicles across Europe.
Giusi Criscione
Operations Officer
After graduating with a Master’s Degree in Corporate Finance from the University of Catania in 2014, she interned as an accounting assistant in one of the biggest accountancy offices in Catania. She later joined Framont & Partners Management in Malta, gaining particular experience and knowledge on the role of the back office and compliance for the private clients management branch. Giusi is an Operations Officer at AQA Capital Ltd..
Marija Cini Portelli
Compliance Officer
Marija obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Banking and Finance and Statistics and Operations Research from the University of Malta in 2016. She started her career working as a fund administrator with PraxisIFM Malta where she gained extensive knowledge in fund management. Marija then continued her studies at the University of Malta, graduating with a Master’s Degree in Banking and Finance. Marija is the Compliance Officer at AQA Capital Ltd.
Jan Langmajer
Research Analyst
Jan graduated in Economics from Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic in 2001. During the final stage of his studies, Jan started his career at an independent brokerage house Atlantik Financial Markets, where he later became Head of Equity Sales and Trading. He led a team of 10 people and received major credit for leading Atlantik Financial Markets to be the most profitable brokerage house in the Czech Republic. He left the company in 2011 and acted as a private investor with a focus on equity markets and renewable resources. Jan joined AQA Capital in October 2019 as a Research Analyst.
Franco Quartero
Promotore Finanziario
Franco has over 25 years of experience in network distribution management, asset management, insurance and mutual funds. After college, Franco has worked around the world as a financial planner for the Oil&Gas project in North Africa, the Middle East and Nord Sea, operating with established members of the financial community like G.E., Foster Wheeler and ENI. Meanwhile, Franco received his bachelor’s degree at SDA Bocconi where he spent time as a group manager at Mediolanum Bank and Unicredit. He has been a member of thr European Financial Advisor- EFPA- since 2005 after receiving yearly certification from them. Franco has also established many renewable solar and wind farms as a private equity investor in Italy and UK. Franco is a "Promotore Finanziario" at AQA Capital Ltd.
Nedjmi Ozluoglu
Operations Officer
Nedjmi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Dokuz Eylul University and a Master's degree in Banking and Finance from Eastern Mediterranean University, both of which he completed through an academic scholarship. His master's thesis focused on "Exchange Rate Pass-Through," showcasing his expertise in macroeconomic dynamics. During the final semester of his master's program, he further enriched his knowledge by obtaining a diploma in "Investment Appraisal and Project Finance" from Queen's University in Canada. Throughout his academic journey, Nedjmi gained valuable hands-on experience through internships in various sectors, including accounting, banking, telecommunications, and hospitality. He began his professional career in Malta with Finance Incorporated Ltd, where he gained knowledge on international electronic funds transfer and banking operations. He then transitioned to a role as a Securities Operations Specialist at an investment firm, where he deepened his understanding of securities markets. Currently, Nedjmi is advancing his studies in financial analysis and real estate. Since May 2024, he has been serving as an Operations Officer at AQA Capital Ltd, where he continues to contribute his analytical acumen and operational insights.
Alessandro Rossi
Operations Officer
Since 2024, Alessandro Rossi has been an Operations Officer at AQA Capital Ltd, where he ensures the timely and accurate calculation and approval of Net Asset Values for the firm’s managed funds. He collaborates with fund administrators, accountants, and portfolio managers to maintain compliance with internal policies and regulations. Alessandro also plays a key role in streamlining operations, improving workflow efficiency, and strengthening risk management, all contributing to more reliable financial reporting and overall organizational effectiveness.
Doreen Micallef
Chief Risk Officer
Doreen has over 20 years of experience in the Maltese financial services industry, with a strong focus on risk management. She began her career within the Risk Department of one of Malta’s leading banks, where she developed a solid foundation in financial risk practices. Over time, she progressed to lead the Investment Research Team, enhancing the risk and compliance frameworks of portfolios under management, particularly through the implementation of regulatory developments impacting the investment business. Subsequently, Doreen joined a Super Management Company, where she served as Chief Risk Officer, gaining extensive exposure to a wide range of fund structures and underlying asset classes. She has also served as a board member of several collective investment schemes, contributing to strategic oversight and governance. Doreen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Physics and is a Certified Financial Risk Manager (FRM®) accredited by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP).
Lucía Pérez Fernández
Risk & Operations Officer
Lucía holds an MBA from the University of Suffolk and a degree in Administration and Business Management from the University of Oviedo. She has over 10 years of experience in fund services and financial operations, having held roles in Malta and internationally within leading financial institutions. Since October 2025, Lucía has served as Risk and Operations Officer at AQA Capital, supporting the firm’s operational structure and contributing to the effective management of financial and regulatory risks.
Maria Xuereb
Operations Officer
Maria graduated with Honours in Banking and Finance from the University of Malta in 2011. She began her career as a Fund Accountant at TMF Fund Services, which later became part of Apex Fund Services through a series of acquisitions. Over the course of ten years, Maria gained extensive experience in fund accounting, working with a variety of fund structures and operational setups. In 2022, she took on a new role as Fund Account Manager at another investment services firm, where she spent three years further deepening her expertise in the industry. Maria brings a solid background in financial operations and fund services to her role at AQA Capital.
Zara Acosta
MLRO
Zara graduated cum laude with a law degree from the University of Carabobo in Venezuela and later specialized in criminalistics. She began her career with an internship at the international law firm Travieso Evans Arria Rengel & Paz. Later, she worked at the Venezuelan Prosecutor’s Office, starting as an assistant attorney, and eventually becoming a Prosecutor. Zara moved to Argentina, where she earned a diploma in Human Resources and worked as a supervisor at Corteva Agriscience, a leading agribusiness company. She studied a program in Canada earning a Diploma with High Honours in International Business from Seneca College in Toronto. In 2023, Zara relocated to Malta and joined AQA Capital.
Elpiniki Ntella
Administration Officer
Elpiniki graduated from the University of Peloponnese in Greece with a degree in Business Administration and Organisations. She began her career as an intern in the accounting team at AQA Capital, gaining valuable experience in the field. She later transitioned into an administration role, where she supports the Directors and other team members across various tasks.