s. group
Founder & Director | Entrepreneur | Community & Business Leader
Claudia Fernandes
Claudia Fernandes is an entrepreneur, business and community leader with more than 20 years of experience across the public, private, business and community sectors.
Originally from São Tomé and Príncipe and based in the United Kingdom, Claudia is the Founder and Director of the organisations and businesses within S Group and an equal partner in Restaurante Casa Arte e Cultura.
Her professional experience spans business development, leadership, project and programme management, human resources, performance analysis, tourism development, training, community engagement and international partnership building.
Through S Group, Claudia brings together businesses and social-impact initiatives operating across tourism, childcare, training, business development and community development.
Her approach is based on the belief that sustainable businesses and strong communities can develop together through collaboration, responsible investment and meaningful partnerships.
Company Founder & CEO
Her approach is based on the belief that sustainable businesses and strong communities can develop together through collaboration, responsible investment and meaningful partnerships. Restaurante Casa Arte e Cultura Claudia is an equal partner in Restaurante Casa Arte e Cultura, alongside Belmira Fernandes and founder Adi. The restaurant was founded by Adi and has subsequently developed through the partnership of the three partners, who work together to strengthen its commercial operations and its role within the wider development of the São Nicolau community. Casa Arte e Cultura is more than a restaurant. It promotes local food and products, creates economic opportunities and provides a welcoming point for visitors experiencing São Nicolau. The restaurant is also an important component of the São Nicolau Project – Nature • Culture • Community, connecting hospitality with community-based tourism, local guides, arts and crafts, education, environmental awareness and local economic development. Leadership Across S Group While Claudia provides strategic leadership across the organisations she founded, S Group operates through collaboration. Belmira Fernandes, Francisco Silva, Leonardo Vilhete and other members of the leadership team also contribute their professional experience and expertise across S Group companies and projects where appropriate. Each business and organisation maintains its own legal identity, governance and responsibilities. This collaborative model allows the wider Group to share knowledge, experience, networks and resources while maintaining appropriate accountability. One Vision, Multiple Areas of Impact Through S Group and its network of businesses, organisations and partnerships, Claudia's work connects: Tourism • Business • Education • Training • Childcare • Community Development • Social Impact • International Partnerships The objective across these activities is consistent: Connecting people. Developing opportunities. Creating sustainable impact.
Leonardo Vilhete
Leonardo Vilhete serves as Chair of the Board of SIMPACT PALOP, providing leadership to the Board and supporting strong governance, accountability and strategic oversight.
As Chair, Leonardo works closely with the CEO and fellow Directors while maintaining the independence required for effective Board governance.
He helps ensure that the organisation remains focused on its community purpose, that important decisions are considered collectively and that appropriate standards of transparency, accountability and responsible management are maintained.
Areas of responsibility:
Board Leadership • Governance • Strategic Oversight • Accountability • Organisational Integrity
Chair of the Board
Director of Community Programmes & Safeguarding
Belmira Fernandes
Belmira Fernandes supports the development and delivery of SIMPACT PALOP's community-focused programmes.
Her role focuses on ensuring that the needs and experiences of communities remain at the heart of the organisation's work, particularly across projects involving education, skills development, families, young people and community participation.
She also supports the organisation's commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and responsible programme delivery.
Areas of responsibility:
Community Programmes • Safeguarding • Community Engagement • Inclusion • Programme Quality
SP Director of Finance & Governance
Francisco Silva
Francisco Silva supports the Board in maintaining strong financial oversight, governance and organisational accountability.
His role includes supporting the review of budgets, financial controls, organisational policies, risk management and appropriate governance procedures.
He also contributes to ensuring that funding and organisational resources are managed responsibly and transparently, particularly as SIMPACT PALOP develops partnerships and delivers projects internationally.
Areas of responsibility:
Financial Oversight • Governance • Risk Management • Compliance • Accountability
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Head of SIMPACT STP Health
Isabel Fernandes
Dr Isabel Fernandes is the Head of SIMPACT STP Health, the health capacity-building initiative of SIMPACT PALOP CIC dedicated to supporting the development and strengthening of healthcare in São Tomé and Príncipe.
As a medical doctor, Dr Fernandes provides professional health leadership to the programme and supports the identification of healthcare needs, development of sustainable health initiatives and creation of partnerships between healthcare professionals and institutions in São Tomé and Príncipe, the United Kingdom and internationally.
Her role includes leading the SIMPACT STP Health Needs Assessment, engaging with healthcare professionals and institutions, identifying opportunities for professional development and supporting the development of projects that respond to locally identified priorities. A key focus of SIMPACT STP Health is capacity building. In addition to seeking appropriate resources and external support, the programme aims to strengthen healthcare through professional training, management and leadership development, knowledge exchange and long-term institutional partnerships. Working alongside Claudia Fernandes, Founder & CEO of SIMPACT PALOP CIC, and the wider leadership team, Dr Fernandes will help develop initiatives that strengthen both healthcare professionals and the systems in which they work. Our Approach Listen • Assess • Train • Connect • Strengthen • Sustain SIMPACT STP Health believes that sustainable healthcare development begins by listening to those delivering healthcare and working together to build stronger people, stronger systems and stronger institutions.