Team size: 13

What has been the number one challenge that has impacted you over the past year?

One of the biggest challenges faced in the past year has undoubtedly been the management of the consequences of the unprecedented inflation. As manufacturers, we felt the economic impact of gas price increases caused by energy crisis leading to inflation, the global economy cooling significantly and reduced consumer confidence. The disruption of the supply chain also continued, and it is very likely that the market will remain volatile. Hence, an important focus last year was on minimising the impact of supply chain disruptions and price increases on our customers.

On a more positive note, the energy crisis also accelerated the energy transition – a key company priority; as we offer sustainable lighting solutions that address the global issues of climate action, circular economy, food availability, health and wellbeing, and safety and security.

Do you have an example of a time when you have come up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works that did not result in a large expense?

We have embraced the LEAN way of working, which means that we continuously look for ways to optimise our processes and eliminate waste, with consideration to the opinions of our customers.

Additionally, all individual lawyers on the team are asked to identify and implement Kaizen – small change projects that lead to significant improvement over time. This encourages a culture of continuous development that involves all members of the legal department. Our best practices are shared with the broader team, leading to higher engagement, empowerment and consistent and efficient delivery of legal services.

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

It is crucial to be solution-oriented and take a risk-based approach with the stakeholders in the organisation. Furthermore, in-house lawyers in our industry must adapt to different challenges and be capable of pre-empting issues and quickly providing actionable solutions.