Ricardo Rio

Mayor of Braga, Portugal

RICARDO RIO was born in November, 1972, he is married and father of three daughters. He graduated in Economics at the Faculty of Economics of Porto, where he also completed the coursework of the MSc in Economics. He also completed the Advanced Course in Political Studies of the Institute of Political Studies at the Catholic University of Lisbon.

He was the General Secretary of the Portuguese Association of Financial Analysts and Director of the Capital Markets Institute of Euronext Lisbon. At the same time, he worked for several years as a public and business consultant, including in multiple Programmes of Porto Business School.

Throughout his career, he collaborated with various entities such as the following: North Regional Coordination and Development Committee (CCDRN); Portuguese Business Association (AEP); Training Institute for Trade, Tourism and Services (IFCTS); “Pamésa”; “Astrolábio”; “Fernando Pessoa” University; Institute for Management of Social Security Capitalisation Funds; Foundation for Science and Development of the Municipality of Porto; Euronext Lisbon; “QI – Quociente de Imagem”; “ComunicAction”; and diverse Municipalities (directly or working together with Sigma – Team Consulting). He has also provided advisory services to the Board of Directors of Porto’s House of Music and to the City of Guimarães Foundation.

Ricardo Rio was also a University Professor, having lectured at the following institutions: “Fernando Pessoa” University, Higher Institute of Administration and Management (ISAG) in Porto, “Lusíada” University and Higher Institute of Financial and Fiscal Studies (IESF).

At a public level, Ricardo Rio was a city council member in Braga since 2005. He was a member of Braga's Municipal Assembly (Alderman) during the 2001-2005 term.

Since 2013 he’s the Mayor of Braga.

He is also the Chairman of the Executive Board of Cavado’s Inter-municipal Community, and the vice-chairman of the Executive Board of the cross-border association of municipalities designated as “Eixo Atlântico do Noroeste Peninsular”,

He presides over the Administration Board of two municipal companies - Theatro Circo” and “AGERE”.

He is also member of the Global Parliament of Mayors, member of the Committee of the Regions and Board member of ATP - Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte, A.R. - Porto Convention & Visitors Bureau.