The Blacktower new Country Manager is also president of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Portugal – CCILSA, connecting Portugal and South Africa and promoting trade and network. Manuela is also the President of the Fiscal Board of TU – Associação Talentos Unidos and is currently the auditor of the RCEPI – Rotary Club Estoi Palace International.
The Portugal News (TPN): Can you describe your path in Blacktower?
Manuela Robinson (MR): I’ve been with Blacktower for 11 and a half years now, and during my whole process here, everything happened naturally. I started as an International Financial Advisor. I was then promoted to Region Manager in the Algarve, then promoted to Associate Director, and now to Country Manager. I’m at the end of the ladder because, from Country Manager, there isn’t much more that I can actually do.
In terms of the whole set-up, the company has been around for over 36 years as a whole, but in Portugal, we have been here for about 25 years. This office in the Algarve was the very first overseas office that was opened, and we have since expanded our footprint to almost every country in Europe, as well as America and Dubai.
TPN: As a Country Manager how can you help Blacktower to expand in Portugal?
MR: One of the things that I am aiming to do is increasing the team and surround myself with good professionals. Having the right people in place is fundamental for the growth of the company.
We have a good working environment, and this is something that is very important for me as if everyone is happy at work, we will succeed, business will grow, and clients will be happy. We need to look for new opportunities in Portugal, acquiring people with experience and credentials, and I like to encourage and open communication between me and my team.
We always need to bear in mind that our priority is the financial well-being of our clients. We need to look after them, build a relationship, and provide information about any legal and tax changes in Portugal, that could affect them and essentially we work towards having happy and informed clients, that is one of our priorities.
TPN: How can your life experience in Portugal help your clients?
MR: I’m Portuguese, I was born in Mozambique and at that time it was a Portuguese colony. However, I moved to South Africa at an early age and studied there. After university, I moved to Portugal where I started my professional career working in multinationals and international banks. Because I have always dealt with expats and lived abroad, I also have the expertise of this crossover planning. I have a huge network and have established good partnerships with other companies and different entities, such as real estate companies, lawyers and accountants and they are brought into meetings every time a client has the need. All of this has helped me to help others moving to Portugal.
Dealing with the Portuguese bureaucracy is not easy, however, I’ve been able to help people to manage their expectations by informing them of how different entities operate locally and informing them of the different tax systems in Portugal versus their home country.
TPN: How did you feel when you were promoted as country manager in Portugal?
MR: This title brings on a lot more responsibility, having said that it was almost like a natural thing that happened and was expected.
I am really happy and honoured that the Blacktower board and directors entrusted me to look after the country and I am obviously very grateful for their trust and recognition.
A special thanks to John Westwood for always supporting me and I am very confident that I will be doing a good job going forward and will have a good team with me to do this.
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