He received a degree in Economics from Université de Genève (Switzerland) in 1980, where he was also Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Economics. He served as Assistant to the Secretary of State for Foreign Trade from 1986 until 1988. From 1988 to 1990 he served as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of ICEP (Portuguese Institute for Foreign Trade). From 1990 to 1998 he was Director of Banco Espírito Santo de Investimentos and in 1998 he was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of Gás de Portugal and Transgás. In 2000 joined Galp Energia as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors. From 2001 to 2004, he was the Executive Chairman of Galp Energia and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Petrogal, Gás de Portugal, Transgás and Transgás-Atlântico. In 2004, was appointed Minister of Public Works, Transport and Communication. He also served as Chairman of the Portuguese Energy Association (APE) from 1999 to 2002. In 2006 was appointed Chief Executive Officer of EDP – Energias de Portugal.