Introduction by our Territory Senior Partner

Milène Ganado: As you mentioned, the market has evolved rapidly due to geopolitics, economic shifts and disruptive technology. As a firm, how are we preparing to navigate through these changes?

David Valenzia: I think first of all, we recognise that our people are at the heart of our success. We have a requirement, a responsibility and a need to continue to upskill, and train our people.

This year, given the advent of disruptive technologies, we've provided over 90,000 hours of training. I think that, combined with the fact that we are a firm of 700 people, 250 students, 38 different nationalities, so a very diverse culture in our firm, have helped us continue to evolve, in our offering. 

Of course, we also need to invest in leadership. So during the course of the year, we've appointed three new partners, four new directors and eight senior managers, and I have no doubt that these appointments will continue to help and strengthen our offering.

I think another couple of perhaps minor points, but we consider them very important is the Global Mobility Programme and Gateway, whereby our people are able to gain experience in overseas offices. Also we're able to get people from overseas offices to come and experience working with us here. And I think, again, the sharing of that knowledge and experiences helps make our firm a much stronger place.

Milène Ganado: Highlighting back to AI and disruptive technology, currently, ESG and Digital are two main priorities for the firm. Looking ahead, what are other primary goals for Fiscal Year ‘25?

David Valenzia: I think first of all, we must continue to focus on quality. That remains, and will always remain our primary objective.

I think in the ESG space, that is going to continue to develop. Companies going forward are going to be measured not only on profit. That does mean that our offering is going to require us to carry different skills to help clients meet their requirements.

In the digital space, as I said, we are now 60 people. I think that's also an area that is going to continue to evolve, and that is also an area that we're going to have to continue to invest in, both when it comes to our current people, but also in terms of taking on new skills to be able to handle the new disruptive technologies that are coming.

Milène Ganado: This ties in with PwC’s purpose of building trust in society and solving important problems, something that we take very seriously here at PwC. In 2024, what have we done to live up to this mission?

David Valenzia: I think we clearly have a responsibility towards our people. We must foster a culture of excellence and quality. We are 38 different nationalities. We need to create an ecosystem that is inclusive. We need to listen to our people. We need to hear their opinions. And hopefully by doing that, we will create a better working environment for our people.

I think it's also important to note that, hopefully, we are coming to the conclusion of a €4m investment in our workspace, again, trying to provide the best that we can for our people.

But our responsibilities go beyond. Obviously, we have a responsibility to wider society. We do invest in the student population. We support and collaborate with KSU and with MCAST. We also have a collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce in terms of the business community, again, trying to foster that culture of quality of proper ethics.

In addition, we have a very vibrant CSR programme, supporting quite a wide variety of organisations. One initiative I am particularly proud of is that we allow one day per year per person, for them to go and support their preferred voluntary organisation.

Milène Ganado: David, this is your last year as senior partner. What significant challenges have you faced and how do you envision the future of business?

David Valenzia: First of all, I can't believe seven years have flown by. I have learnt so much. I've learned every day. We've had to face challenges that I never thought I or we would experience, COVID being the very obvious one.

I have to thank my partners, both past and present and all our people for the support that they have given me along this journey.

I think it has been tremendous and it has definitely helped make the journey that much easier. I think, and I hope, the firm has a fantastic foundation for it to continue to build on.

Yes, the environment in which we work and in which we operate is going to become more challenging, is going to become more regulated. But I believe if we continue to focus on that word, “quality”, in everything that we do, I think the firm will continue to move forward in a very positive manner.

Milène Ganado: David, thank you very much for your time.

David Valenzia: Thank you, Milène.