| The IPBN is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland under the ESP Grant programme |
Start Date:
9:30am, 7th May 2026End Date:
12:00pm, 7th May 2026Location:
Universidade Catolica Portuguesa, Corticeira Amorim Auditorium, Católica Porto’s Central Building, Rua de Diogo Botelho, 1327, 4169-005, Porto, Portugal,Country:
Map: https://share.google/8owP8EF93xb6Eb0JF
IPBN – Conversation with a Leader Series (2nd Edition, 2026)
The Irish Portuguese Business Network was delighted to announce the second event in its 2026 Conversation with a Leader series, featuring António Rios de Amorim, President and CEO of Corticeira Amorim—a global leader in cork production and innovation.
This exclusive session offered a unique opportunity to hear directly from one of Portugal’s most influential business leaders. António Rios de Amorim shared insights drawn from his leadership journey and discussed key themes shaping the future of both the cork industry and the Portuguese economy. Topics included the evolving relationship between cork and wine, the sustainability and preservation of the Montado ecosystem, and the growing importance of circular economy principles.
As he has highlighted in the following interview, the circular economy is at the very core of Corticeira Amorim’s business model—where every by-product is repurposed into new applications, from insulation materials to high-performance components used in aerospace. This philosophy of zero waste and continuous value creation reflects a broader vision of innovation, sustainability, and long-term impact.
The conversation went beyond industry insights to explore leadership and management in Portugal today. António Rios de Amorim reflected on the country’s economic trajectory, its strengths and challenges, and its position within the European Union and the global market. He also shared his perspective on what Portugal needs to develop further—particularly in areas such as leadership, management training, and export growth—and how he envisions the country evolving over the next five to ten years.
The session was exceptionally moderated by Sofia Salgado Pinto, Senior Affiliate Professor at Católica Porto Business School and an experienced academic and board member with extensive expertise in management development, corporate governance, and operations. Her distinguished career spans leadership roles in academia and positions on the boards of major organizations, bringing a thoughtful and strategic perspective to the discussion.
Special thank you to our Executive Partner Vellozo Ferreira Advogados in the North of Portugal for making the conversation with António possible and a special thank you to Sofia Salgado Pinto, who conducted the interview brilliantly. Finally a huge thank you to all the staff at the Catolica Porto Business School for helping us make this event a great success.
Event Details
Location: Corticeira Amorim Auditorium, Católica Porto’s Central Building
Date: Thursday, May 7
Agenda:
EXACT LOCATION: The Corticeira Amorim Auditorium is a modern, sustainable, and cork-lined space located in the Central Building (EC018) of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa - Porto Regional Centre. Inaugurated in September 2024, it is situated in the Foz area of Porto, specifically at Rua de Diogo Botelho, 1327, 4169-005 Porto
The event was open to members and non members and free of charge
| The IPBN is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland under the ESP Grant programme |
