Born in Portugal, in the city of Lisbon. In 1978 he entered the École Polytéchnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland, where he graduated in engineering physics, having carried out projects in the theoretical area of statistical physics applied to quantum mechanics.

He returned to Portugal in 1984, when he started his activity at Renova Fábrica de Papel do Almonda S.A., in the field of industrial management. In 1991 he joined the Board of Directors, a role he has chaired since 1995, strongly promoting the international development of the Renova brand.