Acrisure Portugal has appointed João Mendonça as its new chief executive officer, effective immediately, as the firm positions itself for growth in Portugal’s €14.3 billion insurance market.
Mendonça brings over 25 years of experience, including leadership roles at Howden Portugal, where he served as general manager since 2020, and Aon, where he was chief commercial officer. His appointment follows Acrisure’s rebrand from Universalis in July 2025, two years after its acquisition of the local business.
Acrisure Portugal, with more than 25,000 clients and premiums exceeding €25 million prior to acquisition, offers corporate, trade credit, and personal lines insurance. The company operates 12 offices nationwide, matching Howden’s local footprint, but with a smaller scale.
The Portuguese insurance market has been expanding steadily, with gross written premiums expected to rise from €6.6 billion in 2023 to €9.2 billion by 2028. Non-life insurance accounts for about 70% of total premiums, led by motor and health segments. Observers highlight sustained premium growth, regulatory pressures, and accelerated digital transformation as key market dynamics.
Jason Howard, president of Acrisure International, said, “We are focused on attracting leaders with deep regional expertise to support our clients’ ambitions. João brings a proven ability to drive growth and innovation.”
Mendonça added, “Acrisure has an opportunity to strengthen its Portuguese operations and drive growth by leveraging technology alongside business and insurance solutions. I look forward to working with the broader team to execute the group’s strategy focused on innovation with sustainable growth.”
Globally, Acrisure employs over 16,000 people across 21 countries and has expanded its revenue from US$38 million to US$4 billion in just over a decade.
