Team size: 12

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

The prerequisite for success in any industry is the ability to fully understand the needs of the company, the company’s strategy, its customers and your stakeholders. This entails a solid understanding of the challenges faced by the business, the environment and industry in which it operates, as well as the strategic direction set. Only then will you be able to create the necessary legal solutions to the commercial challenges and opportunities at hand.

How have you fostered a closer collaboration between the legal department and your business counterparts?

The aim has been to help the legal team evolve from a traditional, reactive function of advisors to the business to the role it currently holds; one of proactive business partnership that adds value and positive impact to the company as a whole. Numerous initiatives, such as business strategy sessions, tools for prioritising based on business needs and serving as members of the management teams for various other functions have been fostered to drive this change.

However, the most powerful single initiative in place is our use of the Net Promoter Score as a valuable tool to achieve an in-depth understanding of what the business views as essential to becoming a valuable business partner to them. The input received has over the years inspired us to initiate large-scale changes, such as a full redesign of all commercial contracts to better reflect business needs and future strategic objectives; revised communication style to specifically fit the target audience; using more visual communication to facilitate easier understanding; and establishment of a specific brand protection function, within the legal function, with a highly commercial outlook and impact.

Do you have a cause, business-related or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

I am passionate about driving development. Hence, I strive to find the right balance between setting clear direction and allowing and inspiring for continuous development of the team and each individual in the team. A clear development plan, whether it is for the team or the individual, drives and motivates change and improvement as well as ensures respect for and support to aspirations.