Joseph F.X. Zahra is a Partner at SurgeAdvisory with long years of experience advising boards and senior executives on corporate governance, leadership oversight and strategic decision-making. His work focuses on strengthening governance structures, clarifying accountability and supporting organisations navigating complex change.
Joe is widely respected for his ability to operate in high-stakes, regulated and institutionally complex environments. He brings a disciplined, structured approach to advisory work, helping boards and leadership teams balance performance, responsibility and long-term sustainability.
Corporate Governance, Strategy and Board Advisory in Malta
Corporate governance and board effectiveness are central to Joe’s advisory work. Over the course of his career, he has supported organisations in strengthening governance frameworks, clarifying board and executive roles, and improving leadership effectiveness at the highest level.
Joe has held a number of senior chairmanship and directorship roles in Malta, including Chairman of Bank of Valletta plc and Chairman of Middlesea Insurance plc. These roles placed him at the centre of large, regulated organisations where stewardship, oversight and sound governance were critical.
He also chaired Malta’s Euro Changeover Committee, a nationally significant programme requiring coordination across government, financial institutions and the private sector. The experience reinforced the importance of governance discipline, risk management and leadership alignment in complex environments.
In addition, Joe has served in national governance appointments, including as the first Chairman of the National Council for Higher Education and Chairman of the Malta Council for the Arts, further strengthening his understanding of institutional governance and accountability.
Leadership & Strategic Advisory
Joe works closely with boards and senior leadership teams on leadership development, transformation and succession. He supports organisations where governance structures and leadership behaviours must evolve together, particularly in family-owned and owner-managed businesses transitioning to more formal governance models.
Academic & Professional Contribution
Joe has contributed extensively to leadership and management development through training and public speaking. He has served as a visiting lecturer in micro and managerial economics at universities in Malta and Italy and has been invited as a keynote speaker at conferences across Europe and North America.
At SurgeAdvisory
Joe co-founded SurgeAdvisory in 2017 with Maria Bartolo Zahra. He focuses on corporate governance, board effectiveness, directorship advisory, family business governance and transformation support.
His perspective is shaped by decades of board-level experience and a strong belief in responsible stewardship and long-term organisational value.