What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?
We have been involved in a range of projects globally including in some parts of Southeast Asia, India, Europe, and Egypt. A recent transaction would the preparation of our boat to set sail in Egypt, and that includes the management and reviewing of a stream of agreements, licenses, and compliance work to ensure our operation is in line with local legislation and group policies. We are also constantly expanding our group portfolios for our Karma Club members, whether through acquisition of property or purchasing an empty plot of land. It is truly exhilarating to look at a piece of bare land, knowing its potential and having a plan to unleash its potential. Having said that, there is considerable planning to achieve this, including establishing a budget and viable business plan with the management, financing consideration, negotiating contracts with contractors and suppliers, liaising with different authorities to obtain the relevant licences, and building permits and tax planning.
If you have worked in other countries, what are the main challenges unique to operating as an in-house counsel in your current location?
I have had the privilege of working in different countries throughout the years and as such, rather than referring to them as challenges, I think it is more accurate to say it is an opportunity to diversify our management style in response to diverse cultures and develop cultural intelligence. This may mean explaining my own style frequently or may even mean learning to laugh at myself when different languages get lost in translation.
As we enter the next decade, what skills will a corporate legal team need to succeed in the modern in-house industry?
Being involved in operations and developing a better understanding of the business is one of the significant requirements to succeed in the modern in-house industry. We will only be able to provide more practical advice to the group once we see the bigger picture. More than lawyers, we are also business strategists. If an idea does not bring profit or positive impact to the company, it is a sign to rethink the strategy with the management to drive results. It is also essential to have strong interpersonal skills – we must be able to communicate with individuals from different departments but also be a good listener. We should be comfortable in a fast-paced environment, managing different time zones and have the desire to be part of a global team.
