First, can you please give us an idea of the sort of work your team has done recently?   
 
Within the SEE region, we have spent a great amount of time and effort on the legal integration of six companies that we had recently acquired. This project included mergers, changes in governance, rebranding, office relocations, contractual analyses, litigation management, and many internal reorganisations.   
 
Now that this has been completed, we have been focusing on training all employees in our region on various legal and compliance topics, including but not limited to anti-bribery, anti-corruption, antitrust, anti-discrimination, protection of human rights, whistleblowing, data protection, export control, and ESG.  
 
 
How does your legal strategy change during periods of instability or uncertainty?   
 
I believe the legal strategy of the company should not drastically change during periods of instability or uncertainty. Our role as in-house lawyers is to anticipate and prepare for each possible outcome, and to always expect the “worst-case scenario.” Therefore, my advice is that the legal strategy should always be secured thorough risk analysis, solid contracts, and strict compliance policies.  
 
Having said that, agility and flexibility, along with efficient and transparent communication with stakeholders, are fundamental for the strategy of in-house lawyers in order to effectively respond to the legal challenges brought by turbulent times.  
 
Do you make use of any ‘legal tech’ products, and if so, for which areas of your job do you find it most useful?   
 
IMCD Group places a strong emphasis on digitalisation, and the legal department is no exception. Our team has embarked on a digital transformation journey, and we are very proud to have adopted a digital tool for contract management, not only within the legal team but also across the operations and management teams.  
 
IMCD is a multinational enterprise, so having a digital solution for contract management is crucial for our business. I personally believe that by using this tool, we have enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and collaboration. We can now easily track deadlines, rely on templates, analyse and gain insights into our contractual performance, and successfully automate and streamline our processes worldwide.