What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

From a legal standpoint, I was involved and leading the most recent operations concerning Semapa and its Holdings, which includes capital markets and regulated operations and reorganizations, including mergers, including cross-border mergers, offers, share buybacks, negotiating financing agreements, including bonds and commercial paper issuances, and other forms of financing with banking institutions. It was also particularly rewarding to coordinate Semapa NEXT legal support in its portfolio acquisition and within the scope of Semapa’s Corporate Social Responsibility area setting up its Corporate Foundation.

Considering my most recent challenge, to review and advise on Semapa Sustainable Governance and Compliance framework, my most demanding experiences have centered on discussing, designing, and developing the corresponding tools and processes within Semapa. This involves integrating best practices, soft law recommendations, and hard law into our framework. In this context it should also be highlighted the implementation of new Policies, Regulations, Code of Ethics and Conduct revising, Anti-corruption policies, etc. Leading the Business Ethics and Human Rights Working Group within the Group during 2023 was also highly rewarding.

It is essential to emphasize that the focus on Responsible Business Conduct and Corporate Governance has become even more crucial considering evolving European and national regulations. In this context, in-house lawyers must face and navigate a “Governance, Risks, and Compliance” framework to support the Investment Strategy and activities.

Working within a diverse Group has also offered me the opportunity to engage in a wide range of transactions and within cross-cutting areas of intervention, allowing me to adapt to different frameworks, perspectives, and goals. And in this context, I also underscore an enriching aspect of my role serving in various positions, such as Company Secretary or Chairman and Secretary of the General Meetings and representing Semapa institutionally.

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

To be successful as an in-house lawyer in our industry, one must possess a blend of various relevant qualities. These include industry knowledge and understanding of governance, sustainability, and risk management. Additionally, a sense of curiosity and continuous improvement, along with a strategic focus, a problem-solving mentality and a collaborative approach are crucial for offering creative and effective solutions to complex legal issues.

These characteristics are essential for navigating a dynamic regulatory landscape and contributing to the company’s success and goals. However, upholding high ethical standards, conduct, and professionalism is imperative. They are non-negotiable principles that should always be present for all in-house lawyers.

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

Fostering closer collaboration between departments is a priority. Firstly, alignment with values and goals is crucial and from a practical standpoint, we maintain a proximity and simplicity approach with our colleagues as much as possible, relying more on meetings and effective communication channels. We also use feedback mechanisms to ask input on our legal support received by our counterparts. This helps us identify areas for improvement and ensures that our legal services are meeting their needs effectively. Celebrating successes together, which is often overlooked, is also important, as this reinforces the value of collaboration and strengthens working relationships.

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

There is a cause I am passionate about, both from a business perspective and personal level, regarding Responsible and Ethical Conduct. Without wanting to take away more time from my family and in my limited free time available, I have been striving to enhance my knowledge of these matters. I firmly believe that integrating sustainable and ethical practices into our operations and personal life is not only crucial for long-term success, but it is also very rewarding from a values and personal standpoint and by supporting these initiatives, we can create value for both our company and society.