Legal Team size: Five

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

Managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises requires a proactive, flexible, and integrated approach. A strong legal strategy should align with the broader business strategy to ensure organizational resilience.

The first step is conducting thorough risk assessments to identify potential legal threats. Prioritizing risks based on their potential impact allows for the development and implementation of mitigation strategies, ensuring that the organization is prepared for high-priority risks.

Crisis response planning is essential, requiring the establishment of a dedicated team that includes legal, compliance, and business leaders. Regular training on crisis response protocols ensures preparedness, while a clear communication plan helps manage internal and external stakeholders effectively.

Close collaboration with business units ensures that legal strategies support overall business objectives. Regular meetings with key stakeholders help align legal and business priorities, allowing legal teams to provide timely guidance on the implications of strategic decisions.

Flexibility and agility are critical in times of crisis. Implementing agile processes allows for quick adaptation to changing circumstances, while scenario planning helps prepare for various crisis situations. A flexible allocation of resources ensures that emerging issues are addressed promptly.

Effective communication and transparency further strengthen crisis management efforts. Maintaining open lines of communication about legal matters fosters trust and ensures informed decision-making processes. Transparency in crisis response builds confidence among stakeholders and reinforces the organization’s commitment to resilience.

By integrating these strategies, organizations can effectively navigate legal challenges during periods of instability while maintaining alignment with broader business goals.

In your opinion, what are the main trends affecting your work now ?

Several key trends are currently shaping the legal and business landscape, directly impacting our work at Diageo. These trends span legal, political, economic, and business domains.

From a legal perspective, regulatory environments are becoming increasingly complex, particularly in areas such as data privacy, with frameworks like GDPR, and environmental regulations. There is also a rising risk of litigation related to product liability, employment law, and intellectual property. Additionally, there is an enhanced focus on compliance programs to prevent fraud and corruption.

Economic factors also play a significant role. Rising inflation rates are increasing the costs of raw materials and production, while fluctuations in economic stability are influencing consumer spending patterns. The potential for a global economic slowdown further impacts investment decisions and long-term planning.

In the business realm, the accelerated adoption of digital technologies is driving operational efficiency and transforming customer engagement. There is also a growing emphasis on sustainability, with businesses focusing on reducing carbon footprints and ensuring ethical sourcing. Consumer behavior is shifting, with preferences increasingly leaning toward premium products, health-conscious choices, and experiential offerings.

By understanding these evolving trends, we can better navigate the complexities of our operating environment and align our strategies to ensure resilience and continued growth.

What strategic priorities are guiding your legal team into 2025?

As we move into 2025, several strategic priorities are guiding our legal team to ensure alignment with Diageo’s broader business objectives and resilience in an evolving landscape.

Regulatory compliance and risk management remain a top priority, with a focus on enhancing compliance programs and conducting proactive risk assessments to mitigate potential legal challenges. Digital transformation is another key area, emphasizing the adoption of legal technology to improve efficiency and a strong focus on cybersecurity to safeguard sensitive information.

Sustainability and ESG initiatives continue to shape our legal strategy, ensuring that environmental, social, and governance considerations are embedded in business operations. Strategic partnerships and mergers and acquisitions play a critical role, requiring thorough due diligence to identify legal risks and opportunities. Providing robust legal support during the integration of new acquisitions and partnerships ensures seamless transitions.

Talent development and retention are also central to our approach. We are investing in continuous learning opportunities for our legal team and fostering a culture of innovation and agility to adapt to the rapidly changing business landscape.

By focusing on these priorities, our legal team is positioned to drive strategic value, mitigate risks, and support Diageo’s long-term success.