General counsel and company secretary | AIA Australia
Kristy Redfern
General counsel and company secretary | AIA Australia
Team size: 25
What has been the number one challenge that has impacted you over the past year?
There is a lot of vulnerability out there as result of the Covid-19 global pandemic and the wider economic environment, and lawyers are doing their best to push on and be resilient. It is more important than ever to ensure our people are looking after their own health and wellbeing.
In-house lawyers are well positioned to encourage positive change and empower lawyers to lead healthier, longer, better lives. We also have a responsibility to help our organisations and communities by addressing material ESG issues and playing a leading role in transitioning to a more sustainable future.
Looking forward, what technological advancements do you feel will impact the role of in-house legal teams in the future the most?
Lawyers have traditionally been slow to adopt technology, but it is abundantly clear that technology is an enabler and will have a huge impact on our industries and profession. It is an immense opportunity for us to embrace technology to successfully manage legal risks in an increasingly complex environment.
What would you say are the unique qualities required to be successful as an in-house lawyer in your industry?
The ability to act as a moral compass for your organisation, to have one eye on the horizon for emerging risks in the financial services sector. Above all else, I am proud of how we create future leaders.