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.

Sales & Marketing Director - Fine and Country

Jorge was born in Angola but grew up in the beautiful city of 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 when he moved to the Algarve and joined Fine & Country in 2018 as general manager of the central Algarve office in Almancil. As a web and online marketing expert with a passion for photography, he combines his role in management with advising the marketing team and working as a property consultant assisting vendors and buyers. In his spare time, Jorge enjoys combining his love of photography, aviation and travel as an avid plane spotter. 

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”

Partner - Blevins Franks

Christopher Moore joined Blevins Franks in 2022 as a Partner in our Loulé office in Portugal, continuing a career in financial services that has spanned more than 20 years. He holds the Accredited Product Adviser (APA) designation and Qualified Financial Adviser (QFA) Certificate from the Life Insurance Association (LIA).

Over the past two decades, Chris has worked for the Royal Bank of Scotland, Irish Life, and Allied Irish Bank. His primary role before joining Blevins Franks was to look after high net worth clients in the corporate and private banking sectors. One of his many strengths is in building strong, lasting relationships as an effective way of better understanding his clients’ needs.

He covers the whole of the Algarve, working closely with our other Partners and the wider team in Portugal, and is backed by our in-house tax, investments, pensions and client services specialists based in London and Malta.

Chris enjoys his life in Portugal and is passionate about his role in the company. He likes staying active in the Portuguese sunshine, and spending time with his family.

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. 

Sales Manager - Quinta de Faro

Since August 2021, Richard Vessot has been the Sales Manager responsible for Quinta de Faro , the first luxury development of villas in Faro - the capital of the Algarve.
His relationship with MJ Développement and Serip Group, respectively developer and builder of Quinta de Faro, began in 2005, when he first met Michael Ruel, Jean Etchepareborde and Joaquim Pires right at the start of MJ Développement. In 2017 Richard joined MJ Développement, as an independent business developer, selling properties in the French Alps, on the French Riviera and in Mauritius.
Richard has always been involved in sales and marketing in many sectors of activity, taking his suitcase to the four corners of the world.
Although born in France, Richard has lived in Dubai, Australia, Uganda, South Africa and the UK and has built up an excellent command of the English language.

Co-founder & Partner - ALLAWYERS 

Rita Branco, is Portuguese qualified lawyer and member of the Portuguese law society. She has been practicing law in the Algarve since 2000. Rita completed a post-graduate specialisation in Tax Law, Real Estate, Urban Planning and Construction Lae before founding Allawyers Law office with Tiago Felizardo in 2010. Rita was President of the Loulé Delegation of the Law society from 2011 to 2016 and Member of the Council and National Board Committee In Lisbon, representing the Algarve, from 2016-2020. Rita practices in the fields of property conveyancing and tax law, wills, gifts and probates, corporate and commercial Law, Residence & emigration. ALLAWYERS has collaboration with law offices in the UK, Belgium, France and Ireland and has of a team of lawyers with over 20 years of experience in a broad range of legal fields, all registered with the Portuguese Bar Association and fluent in English.  

CEO - Core Architects 

Originally from Porto, Anabela was raised in Germany. After completing her dental technologist degree, she realized medicine was not her calling and pursued her passion for art in Goettingen. She attended the renowned for construction science, HWAK Hildesheim, where she graduated with an Architectural degree in 1997. Anabela established her own architectural practice in 1999, using her expertise to create sustainable, energy-efficient buildings, heavily influenced by Feng Shui. Her commitment to holistic design led her to China, where she further refined her skills in crafting interiors that promote health and balance. She holds certifications as both a Passivhaus designer and a Feng Shui master.    

In 2010, she moved from Berlin to the Algarve and founded CORE Architects, a boutique architecture firm specializing in tailor-made design solutions that seamlessly blend artistic vision with sustainability, providing energy efficient solutions for a wholesome lifestyle. With over 25 years of experience and a portfolio featuring more than 150 projects in the field of green design and construction, Anabela specializes in developing design concepts for families and hotel operators, including mixed-use real estate, villas, and eco-hotels. Her work stands as a testament to her dedication to environmentally conscious architecture and design. 

Administration Secretary - Ecoconcept

Fátima was born in South Africa, with a vast experience as a Sworn Translator of the Supreme Court of Witwatersrand. Having lived in Portugal since 1998, she shares the excitement, anxiety and doubts of all immigrants living in the Algarve.

Fátima has worked as a secretary and insurance broker for Nedsual Insurance Brokers, Hoskens Insurance Brokers (Lloyds of London) and is currently the Administrative Secretary at Ecoconcept and is in the Representation of the Board of Directors along with Mr. António Alves and Mr. António Silva, Administrators and Co-Founders of the project. Fátima has participated in various events in representation of the compromise, dedication and professionalism of the Ecoconcept Team. Fátima coordinates the technical area and bureaucratic procedures at Ecoconcept, serving as a bridge between all parties involved.

Fátima is also an ambassador who sponsors a number of Charity Organizations, Sport Activities, Learning and Rehabilitation Centers (CRPG), and plays an important role in social inclusion and reintegration into the working environment.

Founder and Chairman - Reserva da Luz

Gerry is an experienced management expert, boasting a rich history spanning over four decades, renowned for expertise in overseeing and nurturing diverse investments, encompassing residential developments, mixed-use projects, and multifaceted investments. He holds an illustrious track record of accomplishments within the property and operations domains. Gerry's professional journey has been deeply intertwined with Portugal, where he resided and contributed his expertise for an impressive two decades. During this time, he assumed a pivotal role in conceiving, steering, and ultimately acquiring ownership of one of the most expansive portfolios of leisure properties and golf courses in the entire Iberian Peninsula – the Oceânico Group. His leadership was marked by a strategic judgment that consistently translated into profitable outcomes while fostering sustainability. Central to Gerry's approach is a determined dedication to crafting solutions that not only thrive but excel in the face of challenges and fierce competition. His relentless drive to bolster investment within Portugal's property sector manifests in his unwavering support for investors, guiding them throughout their journey, from the initial incubation stages to project completion. Gerry brings to the table a wealth of experience in development, asset management, and operational oversight, ensuring that investors can confidently navigate their path, whether they seek to realize favourable returns through divestment or maintain assets and operations to optimize yield and profitability.