Personality of the Year 2025
11 June 2025 | Drapers’ Hall, London
The Ambassador of Brazil, H.E. Antonio Patriota, and the Brazilian Chamber Chair, Vera Innes, welcomed guests to the 2025 Gala Dinner and Personality of the Year Awards—an occasion that has, since 1999, served as a premier platform for strengthening trade, investment, and cultural ties between Brazil and the United Kingdom.
As we mark 200 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations, and as Brazil prepares to host both COP30 and the Earthshot Prize, this year’s edition held particular significance—affirming Brazil’s growing global leadership in sustainability and climate action.
Reflecting this milestone, the Personality of the Year Awards adopted a unique bicentenary format, recognising not individuals, but two companies at the forefront of the global energy transition: Shell and Raízen. Representing them were Cristiano Pinto da Costa, CEO of Shell Brasil, and Claudio Oliveira, Vice-President of Institutional Relations and Sustainability at Raízen—both of whom shared insights into their organisations’ contributions to innovation and sustainable development.
This year’s keynote element took the form of a dynamic one-on-one conversation between Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, CEO of the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), and Vera Innes, Chair of the Brazilian Chamber. The discussion explored the mission of SMI, the pivotal role of His Majesty King Charles III in founding the initiative, and Jennifer’s own journey from Buckingham Palace to leading a global movement for sustainable transition.
The exchange covered how SMI sees sustainable transition as “the growth story of our time”, and the critical need for stronger collaboration between the private sector, governments, and multilateral institutions to enable meaningful system change. The conversation culminated in a timely reflection on the importance of UK–Brazil cooperation in the lead-up to COP30, and how Brazilian businesses can work with SMI to tackle the shared global challenges of climate change and sustainable development.
The Brazilian Chamber was also honoured to welcome Ambassador Laudemar Aguiar, who addressed the audience with reflections on the bicentenary of UK–Brazil relations and the continued importance of principled diplomacy.
Set within the historic surroundings of Drapers’ Hall, a City of London landmark since 1543, the evening offered a rich blend of dialogue, celebration, and connection. Acclaimed pianist Sam Watts, one of the UK’s most respected and versatile young talents, brought a powerful musical dimension to the event.
As ever, the Gala Dinner served not only as a celebration of enduring partnerships but as a powerful reminder of the shared ambition between Brazil and the UK to lead the way in sustainable, inclusive growth for the future.
