João Neves was born in Ponte de Sor in 1957.
He graduated in Economics from the Higher Institute of Economics in 1980 and a master’s degree in Administration and Public Policy from ISCTE in 2003.
Secretary of State for Economy from 2018 and 2019 in Prime Minister António Costa’s 1st Government, and Deputy Minister of the Economy in Prime Minister António Costa’s 2nd Government.
Director at BIAL pharmaceuticals laboratory from 2010 to 2018.
Member of the Governing Board of the Institute to Support Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (IAPMEI, I.P.) from 2007 to 2010.
Chief of Cabinet of the Minister of Economy and Innovation from 2005 to 2007.
Director General of the Ministry of Economy Enterprise from 2004 to 2005.
Ministry of Economy Regional director - Lisbon and Tagus Valley. Manager of the Economy Measure for the Regional Lisbon and Tagus Valley Operational Programme /QCAIII from 2003 to 2004.
Director General for Industry from 2001 to 2003.
Head of Department at the Science and Foundation Technology of the Ministry of Science and Technology, from 2000 to 2001.
Head of Department at the Directorate-General for Industry from 1997 to 2000.
National Delegate of the Innovation and SMEs Programme for the 5th R&D Framework Programme of the European Union from 1997 to 2000.
Chief of Cabinet of the Secretary of State for Industry and then the Minister of Economy, from 1995 to 1997.
Staff of the Directorate-General for Industry from 1984 to 1995.