
The Presidency of the Republic has awarded an honorary distinction to citizens distinguished by their significant services to Portugal, whether through extraordinary work within the country or abroad.
The distinction, presented Thursday at the Belém Palace, honored a businessman from Santa Maria da Feira. He leads the largest global cork transformation group and has presided over APCOR, the Portuguese Cork Association, for several years. Until May, he also directed COTEC Portugal – Business Association for Innovation.
Contacted today, António Rios de Amorim stated: “It is a great honor to have served Portugal. I am very grateful to the President of the Republic for this recognition, which I receive on behalf of the entire family and is also extended to all those who have been part of this journey.”
The businessman highlighted the role of Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in this journey, asserting that the President of the Republic “has been absolutely exemplary as honorary president of COTEC, by honoring and supporting the institution’s role in promoting innovation in Portugal.”
According to data from the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation, António Rios de Amorim holds a degree in International Trade from the University of Birmingham and pursued postgraduate studies in Business Management at both Columbia and Stanford Universities in the United States, and at INSEAD in France. He also holds a diploma in Enology from the University of Bordeaux.
His professional career began in 1989 at Amorim – Investimentos e Participações, followed by a stint at Amorim Hotéis during the introduction of Novotel and Ibis hotels in Portugal. He later led the operational side of Amorim Imobiliária from 1993 to 1995.
In the subsequent year, he became the general director of the cork stoppers unit of Corticeira Amorim, “which eventually led to his promotion to president and CEO of the company” in 2001.
“He became known for reviving Corticeira Amorim from an imminent downfall and establishing it as the world leader in cork products,” states the Foundation.
Furthermore, a source from Corticeira indicates that in 2024, António Rios de Amorim was recognized as a “pioneer in committing to the Sustainable Development Goals” by the United Nations Global Compact Network Portugal in the “Large Companies” category, acknowledging his dedication, innovation, and leadership in promoting these goals.
Also in 2024, he was recognized as “Personality of the Year” in the Industry category by the Portugal Inspirador Award. In 2018, he had already won the “Entrepreneur of the Year” award from Ernst & Young.