Insurance broking and risk management play a major role in supporting individuals and businesses in their daily lives, enabling economic activity by companies and organisations of all sizes, and providing protection for people going about their everyday lives. Being a broker, MDS sits at the heart of that market, as an enabler of society, but we also believe we have a wider social responsibility to put something back – be that supporting the arts, or promoting best practice and sharing knowledge for the benefit of all.

This drive to make a difference is why there is so much more to MDS than the insurance and risk management services and insight we provide; and why we play an active role supporting cultural endeavours, get involved in sporting initiatives, and partners with institutions focused on social responsibility that contribute to the common good. 

MDS’s business ethos and philosophy is one that encourages creativity and innovation, and it is natural to expand this to its approach to social responsibility, and a focus on broadening access to the arts, culture, and knowledge, and supporting causes and initiatives in the communities and territories where it operates. 

Supporting the arts – a picture of creativity 

Three ongoing initiatives perfectly illustrate MDS’s investment in supporting the arts, and artists, promoting cultural enrichment, creativity, and innovation in wider society.

Pedro Cardigo’s book brings a cinematic perspective to MDS workspaces

Photography is also centre stage in another new collection, supported by MDS, by Portuguese photographer Pedro Cardigo. Latent Scenes, published in September, shines a light on Pedro’s work that transforms MDS’s workspaces in Porto and Lisbon into cinematic settings. Each photograph functions as an isolated frame: a suspended instant that suggests a before and an after, inviting the viewer to project an unseen narrative.

As Pedro explains in the introduction to his book, his focus has been on creating a cinematic view of corporate space, providing an unconventional view of contemporary workspaces. Instead of documenting office architecture from a descriptive or functional perspective, he explores its atmospheric and narrative potential, shifting it into a territory closer to cinematic language.

The project asserts that the identity of a global organization is not built solely through the functionality of its spaces, but also through their sensory and symbolic quality. Latent Scenes constructs a sophisticated, contemporary, and culturally aware institutional image, capable of engaging with the worlds of art, cinema, design, and international architecture.

MDS marks its presence at the historic debut of Portuguese music at the Tonhalle Zurich to celebrate Portugal Day

Another recent initiative underlining MDS’s commitment to promoting culture and the flourishing of artistic movements was our support for the historic debut of Portuguese music at the Tonhalle Zurich on 1 June, as part of the celebrations of Portugal Day.

The Helvetia Music Series – Portuguese Musical Excellence in Switzerland brought together, for the first time, more than 60 Portuguese musicians to perform at the Tonhalle Zurich. It featured a programme of excellence, including work by composer Luís Tinoco, awarded the Prémio Pessoa in 2024.

This initiative also reflected MDS’s deep ties with Switzerland – with MDS established in the country through SRB, an insurance broker based in Zurich, and through Brokerslink, the global broking network founded by MDS and headquartered in Switzerland, and which is now present in 141 countries.

The evening began with a private reception hosted by MDS at Zurich’s Baur au Lac Hotel, providing an opportunity to bring clients, partners and guests together.

As Gonçalo Motta, Consul-General of Portugal in Zurich commented at the time: “Having MDS’s support for this project is far more than a sponsorship: it is the recognition, by a company of international standing, of the value of culture as an instrument for affirming Portugal in the world. A concert of this scale, in a venue such as the Tonhalle, demands partners who share the same ambition. MDS is, without doubt, one of those partners.”

MDS launches the 10th and 11th titles in the Faces of Insurance collection

MDS recently published two new titles in its Faces of Insurance collection which goes behind the scenes to look at the lives of some of the most influential figures in global insurance and risk, whose invaluable insight, experience and wisdom are a real inspiration.

The tenth volume, Five million miles and counting: a global journey in insurance, traces Ron Berler’s career across more than six decades and several continents. From Australia to the Amazon, the book tells the story of a lifelong passion for travel and a remarkable ability to build lasting relationships across the international insurance market. At a time of rapid digital transformation, Ron’s journey is also a reminder of the enduring importance of trust, curiosity and human connection.

The book was officially launched at RIMS RiskWorld 2026 in Philadelphia. As one of the industry’s leading international gatherings it was a fitting setting in which to celebrate Ron’s remarkable career and contribution to the global insurance market.

The latest title in the collection, The Human Side of Insurance, focuses on Maria João Sales Luís, a prominent figure in the Portuguese insurance market. Over a 44-year career, she contributed to the development of life, motor and health insurance in Portugal, combining technical expertise and leadership with a deeply human understanding of the sector.

Bringing together her professional journey and personal story, the book portrays an assertive and generous leader, known for the strength of her convictions and her belief that insurance should, above all, serve people.

The book was launched in September at the Sheraton Lisboa Hotel, bringing together around 100 guests, including former colleagues, friends and leading figures from the insurance sector.