Pedro Portugal Gaspar, who has headed AIMA since July 2024, has been selected for the position of board member at the Portuguese Competition Authority (AdC).

He is due to appear before Parliament's Economy and Territorial Cohesion Committee today, 22 September, as part of the appointment process.

Gaspar took over AIMA just under a year after the agency was created, replacing its first president, Luís Goes Pinheiro.

Before taking charge of AIMA, Gaspar was Director-General for Consumer Affairs. He had previously spent a decade at the head of Portugal’s Food and Economic Safety Authority (ASAE).

Gaspar has a law degree from the Portuguese Catholic University and a master's degree in Administrative Law from the University of Lisbon.

His departure comes as AIMA continues to deal with Portugal's immigration and residency procedures following the replacement of the former Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF).

The Union of Migration Technicians has raised concerns over his departure, arguing that AIMA needs stability and warning about another change of leadership at the agency.

A replacement for Gaspar at AIMA has not yet been announced.