What are the most significant cases or transactions that you have been involved in over the past year?

In my time as Head of Legal APAC, I oversaw the APAC legal work for S&P Global Commodity Insights leading up to and after S&P Global’s merger with IHS Markit in 2022. During this period of transition, I led the APAC legal team in adapting our legal documentation and support for the business in order to guide them efficiently and effectively through the merger. Earlier this year I moved into a new global role as Head of Legal, Strategy and Operations for S&P Global Commodity Insights. Under this expanded portfolio, I oversee a team which handles all legal operations including CLM, templates, knowledge-management and team building and strategy.

Based on your experience, what is the key to collaborating successfully with business partners?

It’s very important to fully understand our business partners’ business strategy, goals and timelines. Understanding where they are headed and working closely together with them from the outset to help them get there, while at the same time providing actionable legal advice to effectively balance risk and return for the company, helps to build a strong foundation of mutual trust and respect between business leaders and the legal team. This strong foundation sets the stage for a smooth partnership and collaboration moving forward.

How do you motivate and manage the other members of your legal team well?

I believe that empowerment, trust, integrity and transparency are key team core values, and I actively work towards imbuing these in my team.

Empowerment – Empowerment means that each team member is given support, tools, materials and guidance to do their job independently so that no matter what level they may be in the organisation, they feel fully equipped to support the business and find satisfaction in their work achievements.

Trust – I maintain a high trust environment within my team where my team members are always comfortable and confident to share ideas and feedback even if they are unusual or different, and where diversity and inclusion isn’t just paid lip service but is highly valued, embraced and encouraged.

Integrity- The team understands that we must always have integrity and do the right thing in the best interest of our company, even when we think no one is watching.

Transparency – We value open and regular communication within the team at all levels, and I encourage skip-level interaction to keep accountability within the team. I treat my team members fairly and encourage and build them up by playing to their strengths and guiding them to overcome their weaknesses.

What is a cause, business-related or otherwise, that you are passionate about, and why?

I am very passionate about helping under-privileged young children in the community. I believe that providing them as early as possible with resources and opportunities they would not otherwise have, will help them to break the cycle of poverty and improve their lives and their families’ lives for the future. We have helped to establish an extended hours child-care centre to care and provide enrichment for children whose single parent or parents need to work long hours or shift work in order to make ends meet. If this pilot is successful, we hope to establish more centres around Singapore eventually.