On May 10, the President of Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Isabel Capeloa Gil, presided over a reflection lunch that brought together more than 20 representatives from major Portuguese companies. The event, held under the motto ‘Knowledge to go further’, was also attended by representatives of the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIP), COTEC, members of Católica's Faculties and the Rectoral team.

To reflect on the progress needed to face the challenges of the global economy successfully, the President emphasised that UCP has always ‘been committed to doing things differently, finding unique value propositions’ that have a ‘positive impact’ on the country, classing this commitment as ‘the key to success’ for Católica.

Paulo Câmara, a professor at the Faculty of Law, addressed the issue of sustainability, focusing on regulation, considering it the ‘Game Changer’ that affects the entire value chain, including SMEs. The audience revealed various concerns in this area, such as the difference in standards between world regions and how this factor should be accommodated in the internationalisation of the company; how to deal with the increase in costs due to the burdens arising from ESG standards; and how to design the organisation to ensure the management of such critical issues.

Miguel Athayde Marques, Vice-Rector of Católica, founder and academic coordinator of the Católica International Business Platform, presented the modern governance agenda, highlighting good practices that ensure ‘Board Effectiveness’ and ‘Management effectiveness’. During the debate, the audience noted that it is necessary to ensure the increasing professionalisation of management and to hire talent to fill skills gaps, also considering that it is necessary to empower the decision-making body with more skills, experience and diversity, with the ‘on-boarding’ of non-executive (independent) directors.

Margarida Ramalho, professor at CLSBE and also the founder and Executive Director of the Católica International Business Platform, analysed the topic of Strategic Management, pointing out that the essence of the mandate is growth and value creation, and that a Future Ready organisation is one that quickly converts problems into opportunities. The businesspeople at the lunch were concerned about resistance to change, well-being and the organisation's resilience.

The lunch debate marked the 3rd anniversary of the Católica International Business Platform, the originator of the Future Ready CEO Academy, an innovative active-learning community made up of business, institutional and academic leaders who embrace the purpose of accelerating the sustainable internationalisation of Portuguese (family) businesses, with an impact on the national economy.