Team size: 80 lawyers

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

The key challenge for me last year was and is an ongoing investment arbitration case in which United Group BV is opposed to one of the countries in which we are active. We determined this country to have violated its obligations under the existing bilateral investment treaty by discriminating against United Group and by disrupting our operations.

In this case, I lead on the legal strategy and coordinate a large number of external and internal stakeholders. External participants on our side include two law firms, an economic consultant, and several industry and legal experts. A large number of internal stakeholders are also involved in providing required inputs and reviewing submissions. As general counsel, I play a key role in this process – devising legal strategy, choosing consultants, collecting all required inputs internally and reviewing all drafts. Last year we submitted our pleadings and are now preparing for a hearing in 2023.

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?

My main internal innovation last year was putting in place a decentralised compliance team. I recruited a group compliance officer who joined in May 2022. We then jointly developed the required compliance policy framework, put in place the whistle-blowing program, and recruited compliance officers in key operational companies. Expense is limited because most of the work is done internally and locally, with only the chief compliance officer at the group level and the rest of the team in operational companies.

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

United Group BV is a telecommunications and media operator active in eastern Europe. In-house lawyers working in this industry and this region need two specific skills. The first is an in-depth understanding of EU telecommunications and media regulation: this regulatory framework is constantly evolving and in-house lawyers need to follow these developments closely. The second is an insight into how this regulatory framework is implemented in eastern Europe. Eastern European countries began implementing relevant directives later than western European member states and they are at different stages of implementation. In-house lawyers working in telecoms in that region need to pro-actively work with local regulators and governments to encourage swift implementation of relevant EU rules.