Meet the Team

John A. Gauci Maistre K.M. is the founder and C.E.O of the GM Group (formerly Economicard Group of Companies) which embraces GM Corporate and Fiduciary Services Limited and its affiliates, GM International Services Limited and GM International Conferences and Exhibitions Ltd.

He has been defined as the man who put Malta on the map of flag states since he singlehandedly pioneered ship and yacht registration under the Malta Flag in the 1970s. Long attracting top-tier maritime firms together with blue chip owning companies and operators to Malta, to date GM International Services Limited has registered over 50 million tons and formed just under 2,000 companies. Almost 50 years on, he continues to contribute to sustaining the Malta Flag Registry as the undisputed leader in the EU as well as its 6th global ranking.

Owing to the worldwide stellar reputation he enjoys in the maritime industry, John Gauci Maistre was accredited by the Panamanian Government as its consul in Malta in 1994 – a post he has held ever since. Furthermore, in 1995 he co-founded the Honorary Consular Corps and served as Dean from 1995 to 2011.

It is also through his foresight to offer international clients a holistic service provider that GMC was founded in 2009, a company specifically involved in the area of international financial services focused on the design and administration of tax efficient structures, fund management and other related services. This expansion also led to a notable number of financial institutions investing in Malta.

His experience in accountancy and legal work has enabled him to sit on various government sponsored maritime committees, advisory boards and councils, including the Association of Malta Shipowners (1990-1992); The Malta Chamber of Commerce (1993-1998, 2004-2008); the Federation Union des Consuls Hororairs en Europe [F.U.C.H.E.] (1996-2011) and the Camera di Commercio Italo-Maltese (2004-2008); and the Malta International Trade Fair Council.

Guided by his strong belief to offer something to the greater community, John Gauci Maistre currently serves as President of the philanthropic organization, National Council of the Society of St Vincent de Paul and is an active member of the Maltese Association of the Sovereign Military Oder of Malta (S.M.O.M.) holding the rank of Knight of Magistral Grace.

Despoina Xynou, lawyer by profession, is part of the legal department of GM International Services Limited focusing primarily on ship and yacht registration under the Malta flag. She is also the founding Partner at Gauci-Maistre Xynou, having co-founded the firm in 2015. With GMX she specialises in maritime and corporate law, ship registration, ship finance, mortgages and taxation.

Despoina’s client portfolio comprises local and international law firms, financial institutions, ship owners and managers.

Practice Areas

• Shipping
• Taxation

Languages

Greek and English

Memberships

• Admitted to the Volos Bar Association, Greece
• Malta Maritime Law Association
• Malta Chamber of Advocates

Education

• Virtual Financial Assests for VFA Agents Programme, Malta Institute of Management (2019)
• Professional Certificate in Taxation, Malta Institute of Taxation (2017)
• M.Sc. in Maritime Studies, University of Piraeus (2012)
• Bachelor of Law, Democritus University of Thrace (2005)

Sarah Engerer is the Head of Legal of GM Corporate and Fiduciary Services Limited.
She graduated from the University of Malta, the University of Westminster and the University of Law, London and was called to the utter Bar of England and Wales in October 2008.
She is an experienced regulatory, compliance and commercial lawyer having held the position of Head of Legal and Compliance for several financial institutions in Malta.
In 2016, she was accredited by the Uruguayan Government as its Honorary Consul in Malta.

Dr Jean-Pie Gauci-Maistre is the Director of GM International Services Limited, a lawyer by profession, who specialises in Maritime Law, including Ship & Yacht Registration, Ship & Yacht Finance as well as Corporate and Tax Law. With the amendments of Maltese Aviation Law in recent years, he has also focused on the firm’s aviation practice.

With the substantial growth of his legal practice, Dr. Gauci-Maistre co-founded the firm Gauci-Maistre Xynou, with Ms Despoina Xynou, a Greek lawyer.  Together with their growing team of lawyers, the firm is operated from Malta with a predominantly international client base.

Practice Areas

• Shipping
• Yachting
• Corporate & Tax Law
• Aviation

Languages

English, Maltese, Italian

Memberships

• Association of Ship Agents
• Connecticut Maritime Association
• European Maritime Law Organisation
• Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers
• Maritime Legislative Advisory Council
• Malta Maritime Law Association
• Young Maritime Professionals

Education

• 2018, Introduction to the Virtual Financial Assets Act course, Institute of Financial Services Practitioners (IFSP)
• 2013, Malta Institute of Taxation (MIT) Diploma in Taxation
• 2008-2009 MSc Degree in Maritime Affairs (Ship Management), World Maritime University. Thesis: “Shipping Strategies in the Dry Bulk and Tanker Sectors (Specialization vs Diversification)”
• 2008-2009 Institute of Chartered Shipbroker Professional Qualifying Examinations
• 2008  LL.D. Degree, University of Malta. Thesis: “The Implications for Malta in Light of the Proposed Maritime Policy by the Commission”
• 2006 Diploma of Notary Public, University of Malta
• 2005 B.A. Legal & Humanistic Studies, University of Malta

Dr Jean-Pie Gauci-Maistre is the Director of GM International Services Limited, a lawyer by profession, who specialises in Maritime Law, including Ship & Yacht Registration, Ship & Yacht Finance as well as Corporate and Tax Law. With the amendments of Maltese Aviation Law in recent years, he has also focused on the firm’s aviation practice.

With the substantial growth of his legal practice, Dr. Gauci-Maistre co-founded the firm Gauci-Maistre Xynou, with Ms Despoina Xynou, a Greek lawyer.  Together with their growing team of lawyers, the firm is operated from Malta with a predominantly international client base.

Practice Areas

• Shipping
• Yachting
• Corporate & Tax Law
• Aviation

Languages

English, Maltese, Italian

Memberships

• Association of Ship Agents
• Connecticut Maritime Association
• European Maritime Law Organisation
• Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers
• Maritime Legislative Advisory Council
• Malta Maritime Law Association
• Young Maritime Professionals

Education

• 2018, Introduction to the Virtual Financial Assets Act course, Institute of Financial Services Practitioners (IFSP)
• 2013, Malta Institute of Taxation (MIT) Diploma in Taxation
• 2008-2009 MSc Degree in Maritime Affairs (Ship Management), World Maritime University. Thesis: “Shipping Strategies in the Dry Bulk and Tanker Sectors (Specialization vs Diversification)”
• 2008-2009 Institute of Chartered Shipbroker Professional Qualifying Examinations
• 2008  LL.D. Degree, University of Malta. Thesis: “The Implications for Malta in Light of the Proposed Maritime Policy by the Commission”
• 2006 Diploma of Notary Public, University of Malta
• 2005 B.A. Legal & Humanistic Studies, University of Malta