He was director-general for External Relations at the European Commission and Durão Barroso’s chief of staff during his first term as president of the European Commission.
He served in various high-profile roles within the European Commission, including EU Ambassador to the US, the UN and the UK. He was the first EU ambassador to London after Brexit.
After retiring, he was invited to teach at Columbia University and at the University of Cambridge.
He published is first book, «The Divorce of Nations - a diplomat’s inside view as the global order collapses», in april 2025.
He is a non-executive member of the board of directors of Jerónimo Martins SGPS. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Oceano Azul Foundation, and a member of the strategic boards of several European think tanks.

Last update: september 2026