Founder Charles Mackenzie reflects on the region’s evolution and his plans to support a new generation of Algarve residents

Essential Promotion  

Forty years ago, when Scottish-born Charles Mackenzie first arrived in the Algarve, the region was a very different place. There were fewer resorts, quieter winters and a slower pace of life, but what struck him most was its warmth – not only the climate, but the people. 

Today, Mackenzie Portugal celebrates its 40th anniversary in the Algarve property market, a milestone that reflects far more than business longevity – it tells the story of a company shaped by international experience, long-standing relationships and a genuine connection to the region.

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Before settling in Portugal in the 1980s, Charles spent 14 years in the Navy, and travelled extensively through the Middle East, Africa and Europe, later leading tourism and property ventures in destinations including Jordan, Greece and Austria. Yet it was the Algarve that remained home. 

From its Açoteias’ office in Albufeira, Mackenzie Portugal has built a reputation for guiding international buyers through the evolving property market, including Golden Visa investment since the programme was first launched in 2012.  

But despite decades of working in luxury real estate, Charles says his focus today lies elsewhere.

“Portugal gave me a life,” he says. “Now I would like to give something back.”

That ambition centres on creating affordable housing opportunities for younger generations in the Algarve, a project he describes as both his final challenge and his legacy. 

After 40 years, Mackenzie Portugal remains firmly future-focused, while still believing in the same Algarve that first captured Charles’s imagination when he arrived. 

For more information, contact +351 289 320 030 or +351 910 050 025, or email [email protected], or visit the Mackenzie Portugal.

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