Chairman at Planet Earth Institute
Sobrinho studied mathematics and statistics, at NOVA university in Lisbon. At the age of 38 in 2000 he became one of the directors of Banco Espirito Santo (Educational Studies, Elementary School) in Lisbon and was tasked founding the subsidiary branch in Angola, Banco Espírito Santo Angola (BESA).
Before the civil war in Angola Álvaro Sobrinho"s were successful property owners in Angola. After his studies in Portugal he began his career with "World Trust" insurance company. Banco Espírito Santo
As its Chief Executive Officer until October 2012, Sobrinho had developed the bank to one of the leading banks in Sub Saharan Africa.
In July 2014, Portuguese weekly Expresso reported that BESA did not know to whom it had extended loans worth United States$5.7 billion - around 80 percent of its debt portfolio - during the mandate of previous chief executive Alvaro Sobrinho, who left the post in October 2012.
In 2015, Sobrinho was reported to have beaten the allegations and has continued to battle for compensation from the Expresso news outlet. Banco Valor
In 2013, Sobrinho took charge of Banco Valor Angola as its Executive Chairman.
Investments
Sobrinho also holds large investments in telecommunications with YooMee Africa and the media industry with Newshold Group, as well as additional ventures including publishing, manufacturing, retail, travel business and renewable energies. Sobrinho is also the largest private investor in Sporting Clube de Portugal.
Philanthrophy
The Planet Earth Institute is accredited to the United Nations Environmental Programme and its mission is the ‘scientific independence of Africa’ as well as with a number of other Africa-focused charities and programmes, including the Duke of Edinburgh International Award and GAVI Alliance.
Sobrinho is involved with philanthropy in Africa, as the Chairman of the Planet Earth Institute (Prince Edward Island) in London, being one of the key founding members of the Prince Edward Island.
