Isabel Furtado

Isabel Furtado is the CEO of TMG Automotive, a leading manufacturer of soft, flexible materials for car interiors. She is also a Board Member of all companies within the TMG Group and sits on the Board of Directors of Casa Agrícola de Compostela.

With a strong academic background, she holds a degree in Economics from the University of Manchester, England, and a postgraduate qualification in Textile Technology from UMIST, Manchester. Over the years, she has been deeply involved in business innovation and leadership, notably serving as Chairman of COTEC Portugal from 2018 to 2022, an organization dedicated to fostering innovation in the country, whose honorary president is Professor Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal. She has also been Vice President of the General Council of the University of Minho and Vice President of APEF, the Portuguese Association of Family Business.

Currently, she plays a key role in several prestigious institutions. She is Vice President of ATP, the Portuguese Textile Association, a Member of the Board of Curators of the University of Minho, and President of the Board of Directors of CEiiA, the Engineering Centre for Automotive and Aeronautics. Additionally, she serves as President of the General Assembly of APEF, Member of the General Council of AEP, and Member of the Governance Committee of the MIT-Portugal Program.

Her contributions to industry and leadership have been widely recognized. In 2014, she was awarded the Industrial Order of Comendador insignia by the President of Portugal. In 2019, she received the Prémio D. Antónia Ferreira, a prestigious honor recognizing outstanding women for their achievements. She was named BPI La Caixa Business Woman of the Year in 2020 and received the IWEC Foundation – International Women Council Award in the same year. Her leadership and impact continued to be acknowledged in 2022 when she was awarded the Grã-Cruz of the Order of D. Henrique of Portugal and the Master de Oro of the Real Forum de Alta Dirección in Spain. Most recently, in 2024, she was recognized by APM – Associação Portuguesa de Management.

A respected leader in the textile, automotive, and innovation sectors, Isabel Furtado continues to shape the future of Portuguese industry with her strategic vision, dedication to excellence, and commitment to fostering innovation.