Team size: 282

Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense?

The implementation of the legal administrative system (SAJ) was a major breakthrough, streamlining processes and reducing response times. It enabled the Grupo Coppel to have nationwide case traceability, efficient document management, and robust communication channels. SAJ is also interconnected with other Group systems to allow cross-reference and information sharing, reducing information gaps and operational costs.

In addition, the system is environmentally friendly, as it reduces energy and paper consumption by digitising all our files. Another key innovation was the introduction of electronic signatures for corporate documents and contracts, which significantly increased operational efficiency. For example, the signing process for the Group’s Code of Ethics enabled more than 140,000 employees to read and understand its contents to develop strong corporate citizenship.

During COVID-19, we developed a legal strategy to keep more than 90% of our shops open, while increasing the supply of basic necessities. Finally, we created a multidisciplinary taskforce for licensing and permitting across all business units to mitigate regulatory risks from a preventative standpoint. These cost-effective changes revolutionised our operations and contributed positively to our environmental footprint.

Can you foresee any key developments to the way general counsel work over the next five years?

Over the next five years, lawyers will have to integrate information technologies and artificial intelligence into their routine tasks to optimise their workload and administration. Furthermore, lawyers will need to combine technical legal skills with a commercial approach. Continuous professional development will be dictated by technological innovations.

The digitisation of procedures will reduce opportunities for corruption, increasing the transparency and efficiency of lawyers’ fieldwork. Legal professionals will have to adapt to new technological trends to improve their efficiency and knowledge of legal tech.

Finally, corporate lawyers must continuously learn to advise companies in various sectors, understanding in depth the specific activities of the business and aligning their approach with the company’s objectives rather than a traditional narrow legal vision.

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company?

Sustainability has become a strategic focus at Grupo Coppel, leading to initiatives such as the elimination of single-use plastic bags in favour of biodegradable materials, recycling to reduce waste from the transportation of merchandise, and the sourcing of energy from solar panels and renewable energy plants.

The aim is to use clean energy for freight transport, thereby reducing our environmental impact. The general counsel contributes by advising departments on sustainable practices and preventing risk situations. They also ensure compliance with established policies, indicators, and standards. From a preventive point of view, the general counsel provides a regulatory blueprint for our business units to follow from conception to operation.

Finally, we have recently approved the use of advanced electronic signatures for all group contracts, which significantly reduces our use of paper.

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

I am passionate about the global expansion of financial services and the strong interest of the Mexican population in these financial services. This motivates our Group to expand our products, increase financial inclusion in Mexico, and provide high quality financial education to our customers.

Furthermore, I strongly believe in the use of clean energy by large companies to mitigate environmental damage. While implementation is not easy, large companies have the capital and personnel to improve the present and future of our planet and I am excited to see our Group contribute to this cause.

Finally, I am committed to creating safe and accessible spaces where our customers can meet their needs and improve their lives by accessing innovative, quality products and services.