Federation of European Risk Management Associations awards José Manuel Dias da Fonseca

José Manuel Dias da Fonseca, Global CEO at MDS, was honoured as best leader of the year in insurance brokerage by the Federation of European Risk Management Associations. The Portuguese executive was awarded the "Broker Leader of the Year” at the European Risk Management Awards, on November 21 in Brussels by FERMA — Federation of European Risk Management Associations — and Commercial Risk Europe magazine.

This award comes as recognition for his work in advancing and energizing risk management. His name was put forward by renowned European specialists. This is the first time a Portuguese national receives such an award. 

The European Risk Management Awards shine a light on the leading entrepreneurs and motivators within the European risk management community, recognizing excellence and innovation among the sector's main players: insurers, brokers and professional services. The awards are bestowed by an independent panel of judges comprised of FERMA's most prominent risk managers and member national associations.

At the award ceremony, José Manuel Dias stated: "Risk management today plays a central role in the corporate world, contributing to companies’ sustainability and survival. We at the MDS Group support our clients in minimizing the risk they are exposed to, and work to highlight the relevance of the sector in Portugal and the world. It is therefore an honour, and a cause for pride, to receive this award, no less when it is owed to nominations and recognition from risk management specialists across all of Europe.”

José Manuel Dias da Fonseca has over 30 years’ experience in the insurance and risk management sector. MDS’s Global CEO, also the founder of the Brokerslink Board of Directors, promoted the establishment of APOGERIS in Portugal — the Portuguese Association for Risk Management and Insurance, where he led the board for over a decade, and he currently presides over the general assembly. In 2005, as APOGERIS president, he also chaired the largest Risk Management and Insurance Forum held in Lisbon, which drew over a thousand participants. His commitment to advancing risk management made an impact on FERMA, an organization where he served as vice-president. FERMA boasts over 4,700 risk management specialists from across Europe in its membership rolls.