The Lisbon MBA Talks with CEOs Cycle – Miguel Stilwell d’Andrade, CEO of EDP and EDP Renewables

Posted by The Lisbon MBA on 24 May, 2021 3:27 pm

Miguel Stilwell d´Andrade, CEO of EDP and EDP Renewables, was our guest speaker of the Lisbon MBA Talks with CEOs, at the campus of Católica-Lisbon.

 

Miguel Stilwell d’Andrade graduated in Mechanical Engineering, with distinction, in the University of Strath Clyde in Glasgow, Scotland, and studied also in Italy, England and the US where he did his MBA at MIT Sloan. Previously to working at EDP he worked at UBS Investment Bank in London. He joined EDP in 2000 where he held different roles of increased responsibilities, until he became CFO of EDP.

 

Since January 2021, Miguel is the CEO of EDP Group.

 

EDP is the largest company in the Portuguese stock exchange, leading the energy transition, and the 4th largest wind energy production company in the world, with more than 9 million customers.

 

Miguel presented to an audience of 70 MBA students an overview of the energy sector, highlighting its transformation during the past years, and the future changes still ahead. “Although we have seen unprecedent growth in the renewables sector, there is still a lot to be done, if the world wants to achieve net-zero emissions in 2050. The world is joining forces in this effort as there is a global alignment and a lot of willingness to decarbonize the world. There is a new private and social commitment demanding and supporting clean energy, with 90% of young people believing that they can make a difference on climate change”, said Miguel.

 

As to the role EDP is playing in this transition, Miguel shared the company’s transformation drive, “EDP is taking steps forward by looking at the change as an opportunity to lead the transition”. “It is really an exciting time for the sector, there is a purpose and a great opportunity to create a positive impact in the world”, Miguel added.

 

With ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) at the top of the strategic agenda, EDP is at the front run, being the Portuguese company with the longest presence on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices – 13 consecutive years as one of the most sustainable companies in the world, as well as ranking number one or two for over 10 years, among global integrated utilities.

 

Sharing his leadership journey with the students, the CEO of EDP believes that “one needs to be a risk taker, comfortable in being uncomfortable, taking decisions that may not be popular and essentially being bold”. Additionally, Miguel shared that “to be a CEO requires hard work and balancing technical skills with people competencies, as the roles become more about managing people and teams. Strategic vision, being able to inspire others and surrounding yourself with talented people is also important.”

 

 

The Lisbon MBA Talks with CEOs Cycle is an initiative where students are offered the opportunity to interact and be inspired by C-Level executives who candidly share their leadership journey and insights.