Allan Edwards - Founder and Chairman

Allan founded Cerro Novo with Susan Bland in 1981 following almost twenty years working with his Father in quality property development at Cerro Grande in Albufeira and also in Lisbon.

After the Carnation Revolution in 1974, Allan focused on literally rebuilding the business piece by piece and started re-marketing and servicing properties at Cerro Grande.

Later in the eighties, Allan’s Son, Robert, begun to work in the business and worked alongside Allan to develop the business and separate the villa rentals and property management operations to be able to cope with a new demand for second home ownership and foreign holidays on The Algarve. 

Allan has also been pivotal in the modernisation and succession planning within the business and in 2014 made Ana Penisga Amorim a Partner of the business.

Despite being Retired, Allan still owns property and holidays regularly in the Central Algarve, and plays an important part in overseeing Group Operations from his home near Bath in England.

Susan (Sue) Bland - Founding Partner

Sue has lived and worked in Albufeira since 1971 and became a founding Partner of Cerro Novo ten years later. Following her work as a translator within Lawyers offices, Sue welcomed the opportunity of expanding her professional repertoire and became the face of Cerro Novo in the area for many years.

Sue has overseen many of the key moments in Cerro Novo history, including the diversification and growth of the business and remains a strategic decision maker today, with oversight of the Rentals and Property Management functions as well as continuing freelance translation work.

Sue is fortunate to have made many friends across the Algarve, many from previous Client relationships and still enjoys the lifestyle that Albufeira and the wider central Algarve offers.

Robert Edwards - Sales Director

Robert studied Marketing at City College, London and was immediately drawn to working to a career working with people. Through a series of high profile roles in the hospitality industry, Robert gained much experience in the business environment.

At the same time Robert travelled widely and learned much about the culture of doing business abroad. This broad breadth of knowledge led Robert to settle in The Algarve and into a culture and climate of warmth, heritage and being future-focused.

Joining the business in 1986, Robert has seen many changes, including at least three recessions, as well as the meteoric growth in the popularity of Albufeira and the wider Algarve, particularly since the introduction of budget airlines across Europe. 

Robert is accountable for the Sales Company and is a well-known community figurehead who is respected throughout the industry. He continues to live with his family near Albufeira and is a keen cyclist, walker and traveller.

Ana Penisga Amorim - Partner & General Manager 

Ana has worked for Cerro Novo since 2000, following a previous career as a Legal Secretary in an Albufeira Lawyers office. Wanting to grow her experience, she joined Cerro Novo as PA and after succeeding in a number of roles across the business, Ana was promoted to Office Manager in 2009.

Born and bred in Albufeira, Ana is passionate about the Central Algarve and the great advantages it offers to buyers of all nationalities and is a font of all knowledge for many buyers.

Promoted to Partner in 2014, Ana is very much part of the Leadership of the operation and personally oversees all sales to ensure quality and continuity. 

Ana leads the epitome of life on The Algarve and loves to swim, walk and bakes superb cakes and lives with her family in Albufeira.

Aliete Martins - Office Supervisor & Receptionist

 Aliete who lives in Açoteias, joined the business in 2003 and is Cerro Novo’s office supervisor and is often the first contact our Clients will have with the business.

As well as overseeing the reception at the newly refurbished Cerro Novo head offices at Cerro Grande, Aliete also ensures web content is up to date and works closely with our Contract Marketing Manager to ensure properties for sale are listed quickly and promoted by the team of Property Consultants.

Aliete loves to swim, spend time outdoors and is also a mountain bike enthusiast, cycling sometimes over 40km at a time (even in the summer!).

Helena Azevedo - Property Consultant

Helena has worked for Cerro Novo since 1991 and has seen many different aspects of the business, including Finance and Accounting and is now a Property Consultant within the Sales and Services Company. 

Helena lives in Loulé, east of Albufeira and enjoys a typical Algarvian lifestyle: beaches, walking in the countryside and being close enough to allow easy travel within Portugal and beyond.

With years of experience in the Property sector, Helena prides herself on constantly improving her knowledge of the market and developing her multilingual talent and is a fluent French, English and Portuguese speaker.

Karen Meza - Property Consultant

Karen joined the Property Consultant team at Cerro Novo in April 2014 following a successful career at an independent estate agency in the Golden Triangle.

Born in London, Karen now lives in Albufeira and is a fluent Portuguese and Spanish speaker.

Living a healthy lifestyle is central to Karen’s love of the area, and by helping out at the family farm, enjoying the local cuisine and understanding the region’s customs she’s become truly immersed in the culture of the central Algarve.

 Fátima Ramos - Property Consultant

Fátima joins us following successful careers within Blue Chip Companies across Portugal and Europe.

Born in Portimão, but having studied and lived in Lisbon for many years, Fátima has returned home with her daughter to appreciate the quality of life near the coast.

Fátima speaks Portuguese, English and French and enjoys spending time getting to know Client needs in full. She is passionate about her surroundings, walking along the beach and stopping to read her favourite book provide much needed relaxation.

We welcome Fatima back to the Algarve and to pastures new at Cerro Novo!

James d'Orey Charlton - Property Consultant 

James joined the Cerro Novo team from early in 2016 and arrives fresh from a Property Consultant role in Dubai.

Now back ‘home’ to the Algarve, James is keen to enjoy his favourite outdoor pursuits of surfing, golf and tennis as well as being able to catch up with friends and family.

With Academic and Professional Real Estate Qualifications and a personal interest in sustainable development, James will focus on creating a bespoke Property Finder Service within the expanding Portuguese Golf market, bringing the legendary Cerro Novo service to the golf and leisure property sector.

James is fluent in Portuguese and English.

Cerro Novo Property Management & Algarve Holiday Rentals

Our sister company, Cerro Novo Property Management have their own team led by General Manager, Lesley Cuss. Visit their website for more information.