Rui Pereira brings more than 45 years of executive leadership and 36 years of board-level experience to Terra Global Developments. His career spans Africa, the Middle East, and Asia across technology, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals and emerging markets. Throughout his work, Rui has helped business owners and leadership teams turn operational complexity into sustainable growth, stronger governance, and measurable performance.
As Head of IT for Africa and Developing Countries at GlaxoSmithKline, Rui directed technology operations across 27 locations in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. His responsibilities included oversight of more than 300 employees and contingent professionals, approximately £200 million in annual capital and operating expenditure, and shared accountability for profit and loss, sales, sustainable growth, acquisitions, and organizational alignment. He also served on the boards of six operating companies within regional operations representing approximately £5.4 billion in turnover.
Rui later served as Country Manager for EDS in Angola, with responsibility for major petrochemical clients and technology service delivery. He led the acquisition and integration of a local information technology company with 23 employees, building local delivery capacity and supporting the provision of specialized project resources for offshore oil exploration platforms. This experience strengthened his ability to manage acquisitions, integrate teams, oversee complex technical operations, and deliver reliably in demanding environments.
As an Executive Business Coach and Certified Neurodiversity Coach, Rui combines commercial strategy with a people-first leadership approach. He advises growing organizations on profitability, operational efficiency, leadership development, customer retention, digital transformation, and practical artificial intelligence strategies. His work also helps organizations create inclusive environments where diverse perspectives and ways of thinking contribute to stronger teams and more resilient businesses.
At Terra Global Developments, Rui provides strategic oversight, governance, and growth stewardship. He works with the executive team to strengthen organizational strategy, evaluate investments, manage risk, support disciplined execution, and ensure that operational capability keeps pace with the company’s ambitions. His international experience, board leadership, technology expertise, and commitment to inclusive performance help Terra Global Developments advance complex initiatives with confidence, accountability, and long-term perspective.