MeetInc’s latest sit‑down with ARQ Group marks the third feature in our four‑part exploration of the firm’s multifaceted services. Previous interviews showcased co‑founders Christian Farrugia and David Borg on ARQ’s origins and strategy, and Ramona Galea on the company’s approach to people and performance. This conversation pivots to ESG – an area rapidly moving from compliance box‑ticking to a driver of corporate innovation.

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Martina, Senior ESG Advisor at ARQ, joined the firm in September 2024 after years of hands‑on work in conservation and CSR. “It felt like a natural progression,” she explains. “I’d been in the field implementing initiatives; here I could help clients translate passion into strategy and measurable outcomes.” Her transition mirrors a broader trend: the professionalisation of sustainability roles as ESG matures from a voluntary ideal to a regulatory imperative.

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The European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive looms large. By 2028, all listed and many non‑listed companies must disclose sustainability performance. “The timeline is clear,” Martina says. “But what’s exciting is seeing companies outside the mandate also stepping up. They’re not waiting for Brussels to tell them what to do – they want to lead.”

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This ambition is particularly evident in Malta’s resource‑intensive sectors such as aviation and yachting, where carbon emissions pose significant challenges. “These industries are heavy hitters in terms of environmental impact,” Martina notes. “Achieving decarbonisation means exploring green fuels, renewables and cutting‑edge technology. It’s complex, but with complexity comes opportunity.”

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Malta’s geographic realities accelerate this urgency. “We’re a small island; we feel environmental pressures sooner,” Martina reflects. “That proximity drives awareness – and action – faster than in larger countries.” ARQ’s role, she says, is to convert that awareness into credible strategies. “Sustainability can’t be performative. It must be long‑term and embedded in business models.”

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The firm’s multidisciplinary structure is crucial. By housing legal, accounting, tax and ESG expertise under one roof, ARQ can guide clients through intersecting challenges – from reporting frameworks to financial implications. “Clients benefit from one point of contact who understands every angle,” Martina says. “That’s invaluable when regulations are evolving.”

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The ESG conversation is also shifting culturally. “Younger generations are willing to pay more for sustainably sourced products,” Martina observes. “Stakeholders are driving markets. Companies ignoring that risk losing relevance – and profitability.”

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For ARQ, the opportunity is clear: position ESG not as a burden, but as a path to competitive advantage. “Some businesses, unless they adapt now, won’t have viable models in ten years,” Martina cautions. “But those who act early can lead.”

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This feature continues MeetInc’s in‑depth series with ARQ. The concluding interview will examine how the firm is preparing Malta’s corporate advisory sector for the next decade.

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