Free Seminars about healthcare, residency, taxation, legal issues

CEO - Open Media / event host

Bruce has lived in the Algarve most of his life, having moved to Portugal from the UK as a child when his family relocated in the late 1970’s. His career has been mostly in publishing, as founder and CEO of the Open Media Group; publishers of the Portugal Resident newspaper and Essential Algarve magazine amongst other titles. Whilst continuing in his role at Open Media, Bruce also has interests in real estate. Alongside his business activities, he is also a member of the board of directors of the Lisbon based British Portuguese Chamber of Commerce. Bruce is the host and a speaker at the Living in the Algarve and Living in Portugal events.

CEO - AFPOP

Michael has been CEO of the Foreign Residents’ Association ‘AFPOP’ for 19 years, having first joined as a Member in 2002. AFPOP was established as a non-profit Association in 1987, in an attempt to consolidate its growing information database and provide assistance to over a thousand Members. At that time there was considerable uncertainty about the rules on property ownership, which began to change at a bewildering rate as the foreign interest grew in the Algarve and then across Portugal. Not only that but the rules in the regions were also different and keeping up to date was incredibly difficult.
Over the 35 years since its humble beginnings, AFPOP has helped over 37,000 Members to navigate their way around living in Portugal, and currently has a Membership of almost 9,000 active Members. Whilst the Association has grown considerably, its goals and ethos have never changed. AFPOP’s primary function remains to assist its Members find answers to their questions.
As their logo says, AFPOP is “Here To Help”

Head of Business Development - The Sovereign Group, Portugal 

Shelley has over thirty years’ experience in investment advisory working with high net worth investors. Shelley works closely with Sovereign’s Wealth Management and Retirement Planning teams and is able to make recommendations according to clients’ needs and objectives to guide them through the complexities of acquiring international investment property, of using trusts, foundations, funds and companies worldwide, to structure, develop and maintain individuals’ assets for secure wealth succession planning. 

In addition, and working with the Sovereign Portugal team, Shelley can advise clients on their Non Habitual Resident and Golden Visa applications to ensure maximum tax benefits for our clients. 

COO - Fine & Country  

Jorge was born in Angola but grew up in Setúbal near Lisbon before moving to Geneva, Switzerland where he completed a degree in Tourism Management. He lived and worked for five years in Ukraine before moving to Portugal in 2012 and started his career in real estate in 2015. Jorge has been with Fine & Country since 2018, initially as general manager of the central Algarve office and more recently as sales & marketing director for the Algarve region. Whilst based in the Algarve, Jorge works closely with his colleagues at the Fine & Country offices elsewhere in Portugal, from Porto in the north to Lisbon, Estoril and Comporta. 

Head of Corporate Division - Currencies 4 You

Jason has extensive experience working closely with both private individuals and corporate clients, whether transferring money for their new life overseas, investing in high-value goods or simply making regular international money transfers. Currencies 4 You is a Regulated Currency Exchange Specialist with offices in the UK, Spain, Portugal and Poland. Founded in 2009, the company has grown significantly over the last 13 years, having safely transferred over $2 billion globally, with access to 150 currency pairs, and an online platform with 2-factor authentication. Currencies 4 You, an award-winning company, continues to be a market leader. Currencies 4 You’s team of currency experts works closely with each of its clients to understand their currency requirements, providing a tailored strategic approach and minimizing the risk of volatility using financial tools, which saves their clients millions of pounds each year. 

Founder & CEO - Medal Insurance brokers

Henrique founded Medal Insurance in 1996 and has built the business with his family and a dedicated team to be Portugal’s leading insurance brokerage for expats. His presentation at our Living in the Portugal seminars will focus on health insurance and healthcare in Portugal for foreign residents. Medal was founded in the Algarve where it has three offices covering the whole coast. Medal also has offices in Cascais covering the Greater Lisbon area.

Chief Sales Officer - Global International Relocations 

Luís joined Global International Relocations in 2008, just 8 months after the company started trading. At the time he had just returned from the US and was settling in Portugal, a move that he considers to be the best one of his life. 14 years later he reflects on an exciting journey and continues to learn more and more about relocating international clients to Portugal from all around the world.  

Today, GIR employs over 100 people with three offices and is the number 1 mobility company in Portugal. The company offers high-quality services in the areas of international moving, relocation, immigration, property services, special transport of pets and artworks, excess baggage service, storage and management of business archives.    

Tax Adviser & Chartered Financial Planner - Spectrum

Mark is originally from Manchester and moved to Portugal in 2014. After obtaining a degree in Finance, he started his career in London as a researcher and report writer for several accountancy and advisory practices before being promoted to Independent Financial Adviser status in 2005.

With over 20 years of experience, he has broad experience in advising individuals, companies, and trusts regarding their financial and tax issues. Mark specialises in cross-border issues for expats including Non-Habitual Residence, pensions and QROPS, investments and estate and trust planning.

He is a dual-qualified Tax Adviser with the Association of Tax Technicians (UK) and a Chartered Financial Planner with the Chartered Institute of Insurance, UK.

Senior Partner - Rosado Lawyers  

Speaking at Carvoeiro seminar 

Rosado Lawyers, a law firm founded by Dr José Rodrigues Rosado in 1978, provides services in all areas of law and also includes the company's Taxation and Accounting department, a subsidiary acting as "Rosado Tax & Accounting”. Dr Pedro Rosado, who began his career as a tax consultant for the multinational company Arthur Anderson, is the Senior Partner and a Professor of Law and Taxation at the University of Algarve for 25 years, being the professor in charge of the areas in Property Law and Commercial Law in the Management Graduation Programme and Property Taxes and International Taxation and Tax Planning in the Master’s Degree in Taxation. In addition, he is also an Arbitration Judge in the CAAD Tax Arbitration Court in Lisbon.  

Rosado Lawyers provides services all over the Algarve region, with offices in Portimão, Carvoeiro, Lagos and Faro.  

The main areas of activity are acquisition of property in Portugal, corporate law and contracts, mortgages and rental licenses, wills and probate, and all taxation matters and tax exemption schemes for new residents in Portugal (NHR).   

Chief Commercial Officer - Ombria Resort   
Speaking at Carvoeiro seminar 

João has been managing the Ombria Resort sales team in Loulé since 2016. João has extensive management experience in real estate, having worked in several mixed-use luxury resort developments, namely at Pine Cliffs Resort, Praia D’El Rey Golf & Beach Resort and Westin CampoReal Golf Resort & Spa, in Portugal.  

Ombria Resort is a luxury low-density sustainable development surrounded by nature, in the heart of the authentic Algarve and less than 25 minutes from the coast and Faro airport. It includes a 5-star hotel, an 18-hole golf course and several different types of properties for sale. Currently under construction, the completion of its first phase is scheduled for spring 2023. 

Managing Director / CEO - DS Intermediários de Crédito and DS Seguros

Alejandro Gomez Costa, 35 years old, was born in Málaga, Spain, and has lived in Portugal since he was 3. He has a strong academic background, holding a Master’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from the Catholic University of Portugal and a Law degree from ISMAT. He also holds certifications in Coaching, NLP, and Pedagogical Competencies.  

With over 18 years of professional experience, he served in the Portuguese COMANDOS (Special Forces) and the GNR (National Guard), excelling in leadership and strategy. After completing his internship at the Portuguese Bar Association, he gained experience in sales and business, which led him to entrepreneurship.  

Currently, he is the CEO and Managing Partner of Vanguard Lawyers (law firm), Village Curiosity (real estate and short-term rentals), and Decisão Ordenada (a franchise of the Decisões e Soluções Group).  

He is fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, with intermediate French skills. 

Portugal Property - Real Estate Sales Manager

Born and raised in a small village just south of the Lake District in northwest England, I developed a strong work ethic from an early age while working on a local dairy farm. At eighteen, I moved to Portugal and began my professional journey with a property management company in the prestigious resort of Quinta do Lago, where I gained valuable experience in property systems, construction, and value.

For the past five years, I have been actively working in the real estate sector, gaining valuable experience and a deep understanding of the market. With strong negotiation skills and a commitment to delivering exceptional service, I focus on helping buyers find their ideal property and guiding investors toward the right opportunities. My goal is to provide expert advice and a seamless experience for every client.