Lurdes Campos
Manuel Monteiro
Manuel Serrão
Entrepreneur
Manuel Serrão was born in Oporto. His voice has been active in various media organisations, commenting on today’s political, social and sports affairs. He is a fervent fan of FC Porto. For that matter, he played football himself, and has played many other sports, while currently devoting himself to swimming and golf. Manuel Serrão has a degree in law, but has worked in the textile industry for 30 years, although his career spreads out in several directions, because, he jokes, he would rather a ‘hole in one’ than ‘all in one’. His dreams still include the desire to open a restaurant.
We know you from many quarters, from organising events, or fashion and/or the textile industry, to football. Are there any of these areas that you particularly appreciate?
I often say, half-seriously, half-joking, that I’m a ‘jack of all trades, master of none’. In fact, I’ve never felt attracted to a single career or in a single direction, in terms of profession, and I’ve always preferred to play several instruments. All in one doesn’t float my boat. But in golf, I would love to hit a hole in one.
‘Portugal Fashion’ is one of the most important fashion events in the country. Is it easy to innovate and make a difference every year?
I was vice president of ANJE for six years, and responsible for Portugal Fashion. Then I stopped being responsible for it, but successive controllers of ANJE saw that it was best that I remained connected to the project as a consultant. In addition to the innovations brought by the creativity of the designers and brands, I think that the fact that all ANJE presidents have to leave after the age of 40 also makes a great contribution.
For many years you were a sportsman. After a gap of a few years, you have devoted yourself to another sport. How did golf become part of your life?
Actually, I have always and I will continue to do sports. I started with basketball and football, then I went on to squash, skiing and futsal but, now that I only have golf and swimming left, I might just regret not having found golf a few years earlier. But I never took a break from doing sport.
«I work in the national and international promotion of fashion and Portuguese textiles, with great pleasure»
You are associated with the textile industry in many ways. Do you want to specify?
In this respect I would also like to say that I am the oldest promoter of national fashion. I have been connected for 30 years to textile associations and work in the national and international promotion of fashion and Portuguese textiles, with great pleasure. I am also the director of T jornal and T digital in the area of Social Communication, where I also have some writing.
You are a multifaceted man, or ‘jack of all trades’. Is there any dream or project yet to realise?
In addition to the aforementioned hole in one (he laughs), I would still like to have a restaurant – bar, when I decide that I have time to dedicate myself to this project. Without ever doing so as something to do in my retirement.
