Chairs

Pearse O’Donohue is Director for the Future Networks Directorate of DG CONNECT at the European Commission, dealing with policy development and research supporting the Digital Single Market as regards 5G networks, IoT, cloud and data flows and conceptualising new and innovative approaches towards service platforms and next generation Internet. Before becoming Director, Pearse was Head of the Cloud and Software Unit in DG CONNECT, dealing with the strategic development and implementation of policy on cloud computing and software.
Until October 2014, Pearse was Deputy Head of Cabinet of Vice-President Neelie Kroes, previous European Commissioner for the Digital Agenda. He was responsible for advising the Vice-President on the development and implementation of policy on electronic communications, networks and services, as well as broadband, spectrum and other related policies such as Internet governance.
Before that, Pearse was Head of the Radio Spectrum Policy Unit in the European Commission, DG CONNECT.
Prior to joining the European Commission, Pearse held posts in the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU in Brussels, and as Assistant Director of the Brussels office of the Irish Business & Employers’ Confederation.

Miguel Almeida was elected CEO of NOS Group at the General Meeting of October 2013. Previously he was a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Board Member of Sonaecom, SGPS, S.A. and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Optimus Comunicações, S.A.. Before joining the Executive Committee of Optimus, he was Marketing Director at Modelo Continente. He has close to 23 years of experience in the telecommunications sector.
CEO of NOS since the merger of ZON and Optimus in 2013, Miguel led the full integration of the two management teams and respective operations, establishing an ambitious growth and technological leadership agenda with the objective of maximizing sustainable value for all stakeholders. The success of the strategy has enabled NOS to reach a market share of revenues of around 32%, by exploring new converging businesses and leveraging the unique combination of state-of-the-art technological assets, organizational talent and a unique pace of transformation, digitalization and operational efficiency.
As the company’s chief executive officer, together with 37 other companies, he subscribed the CEO’s Guide to Human Rights, an initiative launched by BCSD Portugal and is the lead NOS sponsor for all ESG initiatives such as the United Nations Global Compact or United Nations Target Gender Equality.
Miguel has a Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto and an MBA from INSEAD.