Team size: 160 lawyers and around 300 compliance and support staff

What has been the number one challenge that has impacted you over the past year?

Aegon NV is undergoing a major transformation with the divestment of its businesses in Eastern Europe, the combination of a.s.r with the Aegon Netherlands business and associated capital markets, and regulatory and corporate governance changes.

Do you have an example of a time when you have come up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works that did not result in a large expense?

Short-term assignments and long-term secondments are an effective way to build bench strength, leverage best practices and build cross-jurisdictional expertise. I would not call it innovation, just good talent management.

What would you say are the unique qualities required to be successful as an in-house lawyer in your industry?

The ability to work as wide and deep as necessary. T-shape lawyering; being able to track and trace the full breadth of the remit while possessing a deep and an intimate understanding of the issue at hand.