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You now take on a new responsibility as General Manager of Riopele Fashion Solutions. What are your expectations for this new challenge?
Taking on the General Management of RFS is, above all, an opportunity to continue a story of excellence in the Portuguese textile sector. My expectations for this new challenge involve consolidating and growing sustainably, strengthening Riopele’s position as a leading vertical partner in international fashion.
This path requires valuing people, investing in internal talent and promoting collaboration and skills development, as well as consolidating best practices in sustainability and responsibility, ensuring that the company remains an example of environmental and social commitment.
I am excited about the possibility of, together with the entire team, taking Riopele to new levels of competitiveness and innovation, always with a focus on the customer and on quality.
What short-term goals have you set?
In the short term, I will focus on creating a detailed mapping of teams, clients, and partners, in order to understand expectations, identify strengths, and respond to immediate challenges. At the same time, it will be essential to assess key processes and implement improvements that enhance productivity and agility, without ever compromising quality. Together with the whole team, we will also structure a roadmap that defines priorities for sustainable commercial expansion, aligned with Riopele’s vision for the future.
What first brought you to the textile and apparel sector? Why Riopele?
My entry into the apparel sector happened quite early and in a casual way, when I did a curricular internship in a textile garment factory within the Sonae Group. Since then, I have remained connected to this area, having had the opportunity to work across almost all its dimensions and to gain substantial experience and knowledge of the textile industrial reality and its value chain.
Riopele is a national and international benchmark company, with a vision and values that I strongly identify with. Therefore, this opportunity is highly significant, and my motivation could not be higher.
As a former high-level athlete, what lessons from sports do you carry into your personal and professional life?
Balancing a sports career with the other aspects of life and daily routine is a constant challenge, especially when you have ambitious goals and objectives. In my case, for most of my school years, I trained every day and spent many weekends at competitions that required travel.
To reach that level, I developed time management and prioritization skills early on, efficient working methods, and the ability to make sacrifices and overcome challenges. I still carry this toolkit with me into every area of my life: personal, professional, and athletic.
Riopele is a company specialized in fabric production. What advantages do you see in investing in a garment manufacturing unit?
The verticality of the operation has enormous potential, not only for RFS but also for clients, given the synergies that can be achieved. Many brands already produce their garments in Portugal using Riopele fabrics, so strategically, it makes perfect sense to take advantage of the existing channels and offer a vertical service. This will not only leverage the growth of RFS’s turnover but also reduce the logistics costs of operations for both parties.
How do you believe Portuguese fashion and textiles can continue to stand out internationally in garment production, which markets/clients do you consider most promising?
Portugal will continue to stand out in the international textile industry thanks to its unique combination of quality, innovation, and sustainability. I see greater potential in European luxury, in North America, in fast-growing digital brands, and in those increasingly concerned with meeting sustainability requirements.
The future of Portuguese textiles lies in differentiation and added value, never merely in price.
