António Pires de Lima, an Economics alumnus from the Class of 1979–1984, was the recipient of the 15th Edition of the Career Award 2025, granted by Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics.
The jury, composed of Vasco de Mello (President), Isabel Mota, Margarida Couto, Vítor Bento, and Sérgio Rebelo, unanimously selected António Pires de Lima for “his multifaceted career, with significant impact in both the private and public sectors, as well as his active contribution to the promotion of social inclusion. He is recognized both nationally and internationally and stands as an example of integrity and tolerance.”
Each year, the Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics presents the Career Award to honor one of its alumni who, throughout their professional journey, has demonstrated outstanding leadership, professionalism, ethics, and value creation.
According to António Pires de Lima, “this award has great significance for me, because it was granted by my peers. I graduated 41 years ago as a young man full of dreams. Receiving this recognition now, and being surrounded by so many friends who wanted to share this moment with me, means a great deal. The Católica University played a fundamental role in my education and in shaping the values that have guided me throughout my life—both in the private sector and in roles of public responsibility.”
For Filipe Santos, Dean of CATÓLICA-LISBON, “we have an extraordinary community of graduates who have gone on to build remarkable careers. António Pires de Lima is particularly special in this regard. He is a well-rounded individual with a successful career and a positive impact on society through his support of key social organizations.”
António Pires de Lima, 63, is married and the father of five daughters. He earned a degree in Economics from the Catholic University of Portugal in 1984, followed by an MBA in Economics and Business Management from IESE Business School, University of Navarra (Barcelona, 1986), and completed the Advanced Management Program at INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France (1998). He also pursued executive education in Mergers and Acquisitions at IMD (Lausanne, Switzerland), Negotiation at INSEAD, and Leadership and Motivation at Epsilon Management.
He served as CEO of Unicer – Bebidas de Portugal starting in July 2006. Previously, he was CEO of Compal (from 1993), Executive Vice President of Nutrinveste (from 2000), and CEO of Nutricafés (from 2002), all part of the Nutrinveste/Compal Group, where he remained until the end of 2005. In 2009, he received the Best Leader Award in the “Internationalization Leadership” category.
He also served as President of EPIS – Entrepreneurs for Social Inclusion (since 2010) and President of APCV (since 2011).
In public service, he was a Member of Parliament for the CDS/PP party, representing the Santarém constituency (1999–2002) and the Porto constituency (2005–2007). He served as the party’s spokesperson (2002–2004), Vice President (until 2005), and President of the National Council (from 2007). He also presided over the Cascais Municipal Assembly (from 2005). He held the office of Minister of Economy in the XIX Constitutional Government of Portugal.
The award ceremony took place on June 24 at the Cardeal Medeiros Auditorium, at the Catholic University of Portugal.