Fernando is currently heads EU policy on risk management and controls including data analytics for risk management and the implementation of sanctions at the EU Commission. He has worked alongside the EU Commission for the past 20 years.

Most recently, Fernando was Head of the Unit DG TAXUD, where he was responsible for international relations with European and neighbouring countries, and for international organisations. Notably, he reviewed the Pan-Euro Mediterranean Convention on Rules of Origin, reached agreement with Morocco on extending tariff preferences to Western Sahara, was a member of the team who negotiated the trade agreement with the UK and on the new relationship with Gibraltar, assisted in reforming the World Customs Organisation, managed relations with the EU’s neighbouring countries, and was involved with managing the crisis due to the invasion of Ukraine and customs enforcement of sanctions on trade with Russia.