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 Algarve 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 events.

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.

Blevins Franks Partner | Lisbon, Porto and Northern Portugal

Matthew has been working in the financial services industry since he graduated from university in 1995. He began his career at a major UK life and pensions organisation before becoming an independent financial adviser a year later. In 1997 he set up and ran his own independent financial services company in Central London.
In 2000 Matthew left the UK to embark on a career in international financial services that has taken him to Madrid and then on to Lisbon in 2003, where he has settled. He specialises in advising high-net-worth individuals in the areas of investments and tax planning.
A member of the Personal Finance Society, Matthew holds a Diploma in Financial Planning and speaks both Spanish and Portuguese fluently.
Matthew is an adviser for Blevins Franks Wealth Management Limited (BFWML) which is registered with the Malta Financial Services Authority. He is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).

Founder - Currencies 4 You

Suraj has over twenty years of experience working closely with private individuals, 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.

Business & Sales Manager – Fine & Country Lisboa

Born and raised in Lisbon, Afonso de Sousa graduated with a degree in Finance and a Post-Graduation in Business Management at ISEG (Lisbon School of Economics and Management).  
He started his career in management consulting and financial controlling and later in 2017, he was challenged to enter the real estate market, an area in which he already had a particular interest. Since then, Afonso has performed commercial and management functions, in companies related to both mediation and property development. 
Outside the professional environment, Afonso dedicates a lot of his time to his family, along with an interest in travelling and getting to know new destinations and cultures. He also has a passion for sport, more specifically Rugby, a sport he has played for 20 years and through which he had the opportunity to represent Portugal. 

Speaking at the Lisbon event 

Speaking at the Cascais event

Senior Partner - EDGE International Lawyers 

Geoffrey is a Portuguese advogado, a solicitor of England and Wales and a member of the Law Society of Ireland. He started his legal career by practising in Belfast, followed by London and Lisbon where he has lived and worked for 23 years. Geoffrey has a strong connection to the international communities and institutions in Portugal, including the British and Irish Embassies – he has been Honorary Legal Advisor to the British Ambassador since 2012 and is recommended by the Irish Embassy. He is a founder of the Ireland Portuguese Business Network, currently serving as its Chair, and sits on the Executive Committee of the Royal British Club. Geoffrey is one of the founding partners of EDGE International lawyers, a full-service law firm at the forefront of advising international investors and private clients. Pioneering in the Non-Habitual Residency and Golden Visa programmes EDGE, has a global portfolio of clients and specialties in areas such as real estate, tax, corporate and commercial. EDGE is a member of the RBB international network of tax advisors and has connections with some of the long established and historic family businesses in Portugal.