The Future of Cities

Amilcar Lourenço

Administrador executivo do Santander Portugal desde 2019.

Com cerca de 30 anos de experiência no sector bancário, lidera as áreas de negócios Rede de Empresas e de Grandes empresas e Multinacionais, Estratégia de empresas, Comercial Real Estate, Negócio Internacional, Financiamentos Especiais a Empresas, Factoring e Confirming e a Gestão das Carteiras de Ativos não Produtivos

Licenciado em Gestão de Empresas do ISCTE, frequentou programas de gestão na Universidade Católica e no Instituto de Empresa em Madrid.

Tendo integrado os quadros do Banco Santander Totta em Outubro 1994, teve sempre forte ligação às áreas de Riscos e de Empresas, tendo sido responsável para área de Risco de Crédito e deputy CRO – Chief Risk Officer.

Andy Brown OBE

Andy joined the Board of Ørsted and also the Energy Institute in 2023, after completing two years as CEO of Galp, where he focused on the transformation of the company to thrive through the energy transition. 

After graduating in Engineering Science from Cambridge University, Andy enjoyed a 35-year international career with Royal Dutch Shell in seven countries. During his last 7 years at Shell he served on the Executive Committee as Upstream Director.

After leaving Shell and before leading Galp, Andy took on a portfolio of roles including Vice Chairman of SBM, Senior Advisor to McKinsey and Advisor to ZeroAvia. 

Andy is married with 4 children and 3 grandchildren and enjoys golf, skiing and hiking. He was awarded an OBE in 2012.

William (Billy) Cobbett

William (Billy) Cobbett was Director of the Cities Alliance (2005-2021), a global partnership promoting the role of cities in sustainable development. 

Previously he worked at UN-Habitat in Nairobi, where he designed and launched the Global Campaign for Secure Tenure. 

In his native South Africa Billy managed Planact, the country’s leading urban NGO, from 1988 to 1992. He moved to ANC headquarters in 1992, representing the ANC on the National Housing Forum (NHF). In the Government of National Unity of 1994, Cobbett was appointed Director General of the National Department of Housing, reporting to Minister Joe Slovo. 

He has a History degree from Middlesex University, London.  He is co-editor with Robin Cohen of Popular Struggles in South Africa, Review of African Political Economy, 1988. 

Carlos Duarte

Carlos Duarte is a Executive Director of Amorim Cork Composites (ACC) leading the Strategic Partnerships & Alliances area. Passionate about cork and keen to embrace new challenges, he is the CEO of Corkeen by Amorim, a brand-new playground surfacing system for playgrounds made from natural cork, that combines unparalleled sustainability credentials, safety, and accessibility in a single solution. 

With a vast experience in Business Development and a background in IT Engineering, was a member of the team that developed the cork solar floating component, for which the Alqueva floating solar project was distinguished by the European Commission for its innovation at the European Sustainable Energy Awards, and it was the winner of the Innovation National Award.

In Portugal, the 1^st installation of Corkeen system was associated with the ecological redesign of the Monsanto Interpretation Centre Playground that was part of the Lisbon European Green Capital 2020 program. 

Chris Sainty

Chris Sainty took up his appointment as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Portugal in September 2018. Previously, he was the Deputy Head of Mission for Italy from August 2011 to August 2015.

A career diplomat, he brings experience from a number of Foreign Office Departments as well as overseas postings in India, Pakistan, Spain and the Netherlands.

Chris has spent much of his career working on European Union issues: he headed the Foreign & Commonwealth Office team responsible for the organisation of the UK’s presidency of the EU in 2005.

Chris studied mathematics and philosophy at Oxford University. He is married and has three children.

Cristina Melo Antunes

Cristina Melo Antunes has a degree in Economics and an MBA in Finance from Portuguese Catholic University. 

Since 1993 at Banco Santander since 1993, she started her career in Investment Banking where she had various responsibilities (Asset Management, Asset & Liability Management, Capital Markets, Senior Banker, Credit Markets, Structured Finance and Corporate Finance) and later in Commercial Banking she created the Large Companies Business Area. Recently she was responsible in the Risk Department for the Portfolio Management Area. 

Since February 2023 she is responsible for ESG Green Finance Business.

Between 1997 and 2000 at Banco Espirito Santo Investimento she was responsible for Macro and Credit Research, Interest Rate and Volatility Trading Desk and Interest Rate and FX Risk Management for companies. Between 2019 and 2021 she was a Board Member of Santander Totta Seguros and a non-executive Board Member of the Insurance Companies Aegon Santander Portugal and Mapfre Santander Portugal.

Francesc Filiberto

Francesc is the Head of Solar Development of Glennmont Partners. He has more than 15 years’ experience in the renewable energy industry, with expertise in development, construction, and operations.

Before joining Glennmont, Francesc held several leadership positions in the service division of SMA, and also founded an engineering company, Siconia, providing technical advisory services to investors. He also held senior management positions at Underwriters Laboratories and Nokia.

Francesc holds an MSc in Physics, an MSc in Electronic Engineering and an MBA from IE Business School.

Howard Brookman

–

 Howard Brookman is a Relationship Manager for Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), a leading provider of forward-thinking primary research and analysis on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy. Focusing on Iberia and Italy, Howard works with stakeholders across the Renewable Energy sector to leverage BNEF to help make informed, strategic investment decisions. Prior to this role, Howard has worked across Bloomberg’s Enterprise Product and Analytics divisions in a number of senior positions. He holds a Bachelors degree, with honours, in Business Management from the Nottingham Trent University. 

José Ruivo

José Ruivo, fundador da Noocity. Tenho 47 anos e sou casado, com dois filhos. Depois de alguns anos no setor imobiliário e reabilitação urbana, uma profunda vontade de dedicar-me a algo com um propósito maior levou-me a criar a Noocity, uma empresa de agricultura urbana. A Noocity tem como missão reconectar as pessoas com o planeta, com os outros e, em última análise, consigo mesmas, tudo através de uma horta. 
Temos clientes individuais e corporativos embora o nosso foco principal está nas empresas onde sentimos que podemos ter uma maior influência.
Estou empenhado em tornar o mundo mais sustentável e consciente, e a Noocity é a minha maneira de fazer isso acontecer.

My name is José Ruivo, founder of Noocity. I am 47 years old, married with two children. After a few years in the real estate and urban rehabilitation sector, a deep desire to dedicate myself to something with a greater purpose led me to create Noocity, an urban agriculture company. Noocity is on a mission to reconnect people with the planet, with others and, ultimately, with themselves, all through a garden.

We have individual and corporate clients although our main focus is on companies where we feel we can have the greatest influence.

I’m committed to making the world more sustainable and conscious, and Noocity is my way of making that happen.

Luís Roberto

Luís Roberto has a degree in Computer Engineering (ISEL), a Posgraduation in Information and Management Systems (Laureat University) and Executive Management Program – PADE (AESE Business School). He completed his training in the areas of Leadership, Management and Communication in United Kingdom, Belgium and Spain.

He held several executive positions at BP Portugal, a company where he developed his professional career in different geographies over 20 years. In the last decade, he was Vice President of GRACE – Responsible Companies and representative of the business association at CSR Europe. He was co-founder of Comunicatorium and Vice- President of APECOM – Portuguese Association of Communication Companies.

Luís Roberto, is a guest professor at Institute of Social and Political Sciences – University of Lisbon, Expert Matter at URBACT – Driving Changes for Better Cities, Head of Business & Science Network at Rede do Empresário, and Corporate Sustainability, ESG & Regeneration Expert.

Margarida Ordaz Caldeira

Margarida has led our global Lisbon Studio since 1996 and the Sao Paulo Studio since 2011. Over the past 20 years, she has developed her career in various sectors. Master planning is one of her passions, and although her experience covers many countries, including Portugal and the Middle East, Brazil is where she has cultivated her passion the most over the years. Her skills encompass all masterplan project stages.

In 2003 Margarida was appointed to the Main Board and took over the leadership of the firm’s global hospitality sector. In 2012 she was appointed to chair the practice’s Americas Board and in 2016 became Chair of EMEA. 

In 2008 was nominated for the “Inspire Women Award” in the category of “International Woman of the Year” and in 2015 she won the Magazine Imobiliário Personality Merit Award recognising her contribution to the world of architecture.

Margarida is a Board Member of ULI (Urban Land Institute), of WIRE (Women In Real Estate) in Portugal, and also a member of the Jury of European Council of Shopping Places (ECSP).

Margarida has designed high-profile and award-winning leisure, hospitality and residential schemes in Europe, Africa and Latin America and has been a regular lecturer on topics including luxury resorts, hospitality, sustainability and urban regeneration, in these 3 continents. 

Maria Sacadura Botte

Maria directs Project & Development Services over assigned JLL client projects, by providing client service and employee management. She also leads team strategy development and execution. In 2023, Maria was given the additional responsibility of leading the sustainability department. Prior to joining JLL in April 2020, Maria was the founding partner and general manager of MM Arquitectos, an architectural firm of reference in Southern Africa, from 2003 to 2019, where she demonstrated her resilience, adaptability and ability to navigate through the complex economic and social challenges of the region.

Maria was a finalist for the Arcvision Women and Architecture prize in 2016.

She holds a degree in Architecture from Universidade Lusíada, Lisbon, and an MBA from the University of Michigan.

Miguel Alves Agostinho

Miguel Alves Agostinho is Regional Director for FMHOUSE, CEO of the Portuguese Body of Facility Managers (APFM), Coordinator of the Post Graduation in Sustainable Facilities Management from Universidade Europeia Online and Director of the AcademiaFM – the Portuguese Training and Certification framework for Facility Management professionals.

Miguel has also been Board Member of EuroFM, Ambassador for the European Facility Management Network and member of the Program Advisory Board of the European Facility Management Conference (EFMC), as well as Convener of the CEN/TC348 workgroup responsible for designing the framework for Roles, Competences and Responsibilities within Facility Management.

Miguel’s background is mostly linked to Sales and Marketing, having worked in Private and Public organizations, but also managing European Social Fund projects on gender equality and public policies on Life Long Training and Employment.

Miguel holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Technical University of Lisbon and a Post-Grad in Sales Management from ISCTE-IUL.

Miguel Barbas

With over 20 years of professional experience in the construction sector, Miguel has participated in several projects in the areas of Residential, Offices, Hotels, and Industry. Previously, his professional path has passed through Portugal, Angola, and Cabo Verde.

In 2023, he joins Norfin Group as Development Director in the Asset Management area.

He has a degree in civil engineering and an MBA from the Lisbon School of Economics and Management (ISEG).

Miguel J. Martins

Miguel 35+ years of experience in international development, finance, innovation and sustainability across emerging markets, and developed economies. Since 2020, he has been working with a number of key private sector players and academia, advising them on how to design or reinvent their innovation and sustainability strategies while reshaping their current business and leadership models. Between 2000-2019 he worked at IFC where he held a number of positions in the Investment, Advisory, and Knowledge departments, lead and structuring sustainability and innovation projects. He continues to be work the World Bank Group as and Advisor to the Vice Presidency. In 2009, Miguel was co-created the FT/IFC Transformational Business Awards which he also co-managed, in partnership with the FT. As part of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, he designed and delivered the Executive Education Happy Cities Program in the US and the Middle East. Integrated a number of Executive Programs at flagship universities in Europe such as the European University Business School in Barcelona, ISEG – Lisbon School of Business Economics, Nova School of Business Economics, Porto Business School, and Universidade Europeia. Fellow of the Hunter & Stephane Hunt Institute for Engineering & Humanities at the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. 

Miguel Matias

Prior to joining Naked Energy as Commercial Director, Miguel has worked as a consultant in the energy sector for over 25 years. Matias’ extensive career has seen him manage well over 500GWh of renewable energy projects across Europe and develop expertise in sustainability and a variety of renewable heat and power technologies

He starter his career at consulting up to Senior Manager at Deloitte Consulting and then he was the Innovation Director of Galp Energia (Oil&Gas) reporting to CEO.

He founded Self Energy Group in 2006, the UK’s first decentralised Energy Services Company, overseeing more than 30MW of renewable energy projects across Spain, Portugal, Mozambique and the UK. In 2017, Miguel went on to co-found energy consultancy Optimeyes Energy, where he was the COO in charge of developing, financing, installing and operating renewable energy and energy services (ESCO) programs. He is member of the Council of the Energy Services Technology Association (ESTA) in UK.

He was previously the Executive Director at Virtual Power Solutions, heading up business development projects for the likes of Centrica, National Grid and ANESCO. 

Miguel is also an angel investor at Energy Planet, helping to develop five energy startups across three territories, in the green hydrogen, energy storage, smart cities and mobility sectors.

Paulo Santos

Chemical Engineer, with a Master’s degree in Bioenergy and an MBA from LisbonMBA, Paulo is pursuing a PhD in Sustainable Energy Systems within the scope of the MIT Portugal Program.

Specialist in energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainability, Paulo was responsible at ADENE for implementing the building energy certification system (SCE) in Portugal and for the voluntary energy labeling of CLASSE+ products, as well as for the water efficiency (AQUA+), in efficient mobility (MOVE+) and circular economy (eCIRCULAR) voluntary rating systems.

Currently Director of Sustainability and Mobility at ADENE, Paulo is also responsible for activities related to decarbonization and climate action.

Pedro Amaral Jorge

Pedro Amaral Jorge graduated in Mechanical Engineering at Instituto Superior Técnico, and also has an EMBA with focus on Finance and Operations, from IESE / AESE.

In his previous professional experience, he worked as a specialist in structuring and financing projects in the private sector investment aspect for the African Development Bank (AfDB), in the areas of Infrastructure, Energy and Water and Sanitation in Africa, focusing on the sub-Saharan region.

In addition to his career, Pedro Amaral Jorge also has a history of developing projects for public service concessions and BOT (Build Operate and Transfer) as well as financing, planning, construction and management, accumulating more than 15 years of international experience, having worked and lived in different markets, especially in Europe, South America, Africa and the Middle East.

He has a total of 20 years of professional experience in top management positions, assuming functions as Director of Business Unit, Member of the Executive Committee, Executive Director and CEO in companies such as Mitsubishi / METITO Utilities, Indaqua / Mota-Engil Group, SACYR / SOMAGUE and IDOM.

He joined APREN in December 2018, serving as CEO.

Rui Almeida

CEO | Managing Partner Moneris and Chairman of the BPCC

CEO, President of the Executive Committee and Board Member of Moneris SGPS, S.A. since 2007.

Member of the Audit Committee of EDP Ventures SCR and Teixeira Duarte S.A..

Was formerly an Audit Manager with EY, where he developed a career for over 11 years, working in different countries such as Portugal, UK (where he lived for 3 years), Angola and Mozambique.

Founders of the M&A group of MSI Global Alliance (MSI).

Masters in Management (ISEG -Universidade de Lisboa) and several Post Graduations, namely on the fields of Mergers & Acquisitions (PBS-Universidade do Porto), Human Behaviour in Organisations (AESE) and Business Management (BPP University).

Specialist in Corporate Governance, Internal Controls, Risk Management, Auditing and Corporate Finance and frequently writes articles for newspapers, radio programmes and is regularly involved on the production of thought leadership content on various management related themes.

Teresa Ponce de Leão

Teresa Ponce de Leão, PhD, from Porto University (FEUP) in energy planning with renewable integration.

Professor at FEUP and President of the Board of Directors at LNEG since 2009. 

Executive Vice President, elected, at the European Energy Research Alliance. 

Vice-President of the Expert Group on Resources Management at the United Nations and Chair of the UN Resources Management System sub-group. 

Participated in several working groups with the European Commission.

Luiz Silva

Co-founded Solar Americas Capital Limited (SAC), a photovoltaics energy asset owner, developing, building, financing, and operating projects, supporting corporate clients to access affordable clean energy. SAC has its headquarters in London, with assets and projects under development in the UK, Brazil, and Portugal.

Worked for blue-chip telecommunication companies such as Bellsouth International (BCP), Brasil Telecom (now Oi), and Claro, leading the development and construction of large fixed and mobile networks in Brazil. He also founded, secured investments, and had successful exits for innovative startups like Skysites Americas Limited, a telecoms asset owner (now IHS Towers).

He is a PhD Candidate in Law (King’s College London), holds a Masters in Science (Coventry University, as a recipient of the prestigious Chevening Scholarship from the British Government), Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (UPE), Bachelor in Science in Physics (UFPE), and Bachelor of Law and Social Sciences (UFRJ). Luiz is a qualified lawyer in Brazil (OAB) and Portugal (OA).

Nuno Cavaco

Currently Nuno is the PArtner of Moneris Innovation Lab, which is the tech hub of the Moneris Group. He is driving the digital transformation of the entire Moneris Group.

In his previous professional context, he was part of the Portugal Digital Mission Structure team, as Pillar 2 Coordinator – Digital Transformation of Companies and Entrepreneurship, reporting to the Secretary of State for Digitization and Administrative Modernization, under the direct supervision of the Portuguese Prime Minister, promoting and leading the digital transformation of Portugal.

He has 30 years of professional experience in business consulting, having carried out projects in different areas.

He is professor at NOVA School of Science and Technology (FCT NOVA), and in his academic career he assumed functions as Deputy Director for Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship, accumulating the positions of President of Madan Parque (Science and startup incubation park) and Nova.id.FCT.

CEO |