Malta's women are emerging as a crucial power behind the economic growth of the island. In a society that values traditional family roles and where divorce has only just been legalised this year, it's encouraging to see women working their way into leadership roles at some of Malta's most successful companies.

Dr. Ann Fenech is a Managing Partner in the law firm Fenech & Fenech Advocates. After starting her career in London and then working in New Orleans, she returned home to Malta to set up the marine litigation department at Fenech & Fenech – the longest established law firm on the island, which is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year. Dr. Fenech demonstrated astute foresight with this move. "Today we are still the only firm on the island with a marine litigation department," she says. "It gives me a huge sense of pride to know that I set up a department that today is one of the most important departments in the firm."

It's thanks to initiatives started by female figures like Ann Fenech that more women now have the opportunity to advance their careers, even when they have children to care for.

Dr Fenech is proud to represent the only law firm on the island with a nursery for her employees' children. "Out of 84 people in the group, 50 are ladies of child bearing age," she explains. "I feel very strongly about family and children. I want our female employees to develop normally, to get married and have kids – not to have to choose."

Playmobil's CEO, Helga Ellul is another formidable and successful businesswoman who has made her mark. Formerly president of Malta's Chamber of Commerce from 2009 to 2010, Ellul is passionate about education and has engineered numerous initiatives for students and employees, winning countless awards in the process.

Ellul recalls that in Playmobil's early days in Malta, there were people with A-levels looking for factory jobs. "We were worried they'd be overqualified," she says. "So we started straight away with vocational training on the skills side. Today we have a proper vocational college, which is a success. I'm one of the governors; we set it up in 2000. We now have around 5,000 students and industry took to it straight away."

With both ladies stressing that they have an "open-door policy" when it comes to managing their workforce, it appears that their management style is to offer a softer, more understanding approach, but without being a soft touch themselves. If the success of their respective businesses is any gauge, it seems these women have got business development down to a fine art.