Already the President of APPICAPS (the Portuguese Footwear, Components, and Leather Goods Manufacturers’ Association), he will succeed the Italian Cleto Sagripanti in the role as new President.
Forty-seven years old, representing the third generation of a family working in the footwear industry, Luis Onofre produces elegant women’s shoes with his eponymous brand that destines 97% of its production for exports. His shoes can be found on the feet of famous international celebrities and stars, such as Penelope Cruz, Naomi Watts, and Michelle Obama.
After getting his degree from the Faculty of Fine Arts in Porto, Luis Onofre continued with his studies, graduating also from the Design and Footwear Academy. In 2014, the President of Portugal, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, distinguished him with the Order of Entrepreneurial Merit.
CEC represents an industrial sector with around 21 thousand companies in Europe employing 278 thousand individuals.