Head of Clients
(dual hatted with Broking and Carrier Management)
Team Client Management
Segment Cross Segment
Location Lisbon, Portugal
Year hired 2003
University Universidade Lusiada de Lisboa, Degree in Business Management
Personal interests
I have a three-year old daughter, who will be joined by a brother in January! I’ve played rugby for 14 years and love water-related sports. I love good food, and one of my favorite things to do at home is cook.
Can you describe your career progression within Willis Towers Watson?
I joined as an account executive managing large accounts, mainly in the Energy and Industrial sectors. I then moved to New Business Development for a few years and then moved again to be in charge of our Facultative Reinsurance unit in Lisbon from 2011 to 2015. In 2015, I became the sales leader for Portugal and, following the merger of Willis and Towers Watson, was appointed head of clients.
Can you tell us about the day-to-day responsibilities of your job?
I work together with colleagues in all lines of business to identify opportunities and continuously deliver best-in-class service and solutions to our clients. I also oversee our Marketing team locally, and I’m charged with making sure that our relationships with carriers remain close and strong.
What are the key challenges of your role? How have you overcome them?
Sometimes it can be challenging to get everyone on the same page when people come from different business cultures. It takes optimism, resilience, and the ability and conviction to constructively look for common goals and show that our differences can make us stronger.
What training and development opportunities have you received in your role?
Willis Towers Watson has enabled me to progress and evolve in my career, working on different projects within different teams and steadily growing professionally and personally.
What is your proudest achievement since joining Willis Towers Watson?
Immediately following the merger of Willis and Towers Watson, I was proud to work with our leadership on the design and implementation of a plan to find synergies between people and businesses to create a new way of working together. It was very rewarding to engage with our new colleagues, learn about what they do and discover the amazing new world that our combined company is as a whole.
I’m also very proud to be a coach in the company’s incredible internal professional development program, Client Acumen, which is a 12-month learning and development program that facilitates a deeper understanding of the key business issues facing the companies we serve. And I’m proud to have colleagues that I can also call friends.
How would you describe the culture at Willis Towers Watson?
Willis Towers Watson is a very inclusive company, where one can expect to be challenged to strive and excel. A company where our values are not “corporate marketing” but something to uphold and live by. And, especially, a company where commitment is recognized.
What do you like best about working at Willis Towers Watson?
The best part about working at Willis Towers Watson is the fact that I learn something new every day from inspiring leaders, colleagues and clients. This team spirit is the foundation of our success.
Was there anything that surprised you about your role or the company?
When I first joined the company from a local independent broker, I was surprised by the sheer size and, yet, how collaborative the work was. The ambition and teamwork of our colleagues and management is something that still amazes me today!
What is your hope for your career in the future?
My greatest ambition is to see Willis Towers Watson become the market leader in Portugal, in terms of being a provider of choice. I’m already in the best possible position to try and make this happen. The company has always given me the right opportunities at the right time.
Based on your experience, what advice would you give someone considering employment with Willis Towers Watson?
Be open-minded, be generous, be ambitious, and be innovative. There is a world of opportunities in our company — be ready to go for them.
