Regional legal manager | Fyffes
Laura Granera Alonso
Regional legal manager | Fyffes
Laura Granera
General Counsel
Fyffes
What are the major projects or initiatives you have worked on that you are most proud of?
As part of my role, it is crucial to shape the legal, ethical, and strategic direction of the company to ensure we fulfil our mission: shaping wellbeing for the world. Over the past year, one significant project has been to introduce the concept of risk management into the decisions we make. Identifying and understanding various risks is essential for improving decision-making, and, of course, for mitigating not only legal risks but also regulatory, operational, and reputational risks.
Additionally, we have been working on a comprehensive litigation strategy, implementing procedures aimed at reducing litigation and preventing disputes.
However, if I had to highlight one particularly exciting initiative, it would be the introduction of AI into our legal department. We are in the process of implementing a system that will enable us to leverage AI to manage all our contracts. This innovative project has posed significant challenges, but it is incredibly exciting and presents an amazing opportunity for us to push the boundaries of how we work.
What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company?
Fyffes is a global leader in the production and distribution of tropical fruits such as bananas, pineapples, and melons, and we have taken a range of steps to integrate sustainability into our core operations. Sustainability is central to the company’s long-term strategy, with a strong focus on ESG.
In terms of environmental stewardship, we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and have set ambitious goals to decrease greenhouse gas emissions across our operations and supply chain. Additionally, we are implementing sustainable farming practices, including water conservation, soil health improvement, and biodiversity preservation within our plantations. We are also committed to certification programmes, partnering with organisations like Rainforest Alliance and Fair Trade to ensure that our products adhere to sustainable practices throughout the supply chain.
On the social responsibility front, we prioritise worker welfare by ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and access to healthcare and other essential benefits for those working on our farms. We are also deeply committed to community engagement, supporting local communities in every country where we operate. In each of these communities, we initiate and support projects, including education and health programmes, that help improve lives in the region. Furthermore, we uphold strong human rights commitments, adopting policies aimed at combating forced labour, discrimination, and modern slavery across our supply chain.
Governance and transparency are integral to our sustainability efforts. We publish annual sustainability reports to outline our progress in both environmental and social areas, ensuring transparency in our actions. Additionally, we have established measurable ESG goals, including a target to achieve net-zero emissions by a specific year, aligning our efforts with global sustainability standards.
As part of my role, I work closely with the Sustainability Team, providing strategic oversight and guidance. My responsibilities include advising on the legal and regulatory aspects of our sustainability projects, ensuring full alignment with legal requirements. I also help manage the various risks that may arise, identifying and mitigating risks related to environmental laws, labour practices, and ethical business operations. Naturally, contracts play an important role in all of these transactions, and I ensure that they are carefully managed to safeguard the success of our sustainability initiatives.
In your opinion, what are the main trends that are salient in your country?
Costa Rica is currently experiencing significant trends in both business and legal contexts, largely driven by its strong focus on sustainability and ongoing regulatory reforms.
The country’s commitment to sustainability continues to shape business operations, with companies and investors increasingly adapting to rigorous environmental compliance measures. These efforts strike a balance between economic activity and biodiversity preservation, helping Costa Rica maintain its position as a global leader in sustainable development. For Fyffes, this focus is particularly relevant as we prepare for new EU legislation, including the CSDDD and the CSRD. We have been diligently working internally to ensure compliance, while also preparing our Growers for the impact of these new regulations.
In addition to sustainability, there has been a significant impact from exchange rate policies. Recent fluctuations in currency values have affected labour costs and operational expenses in export-driven sectors, creating new challenges for businesses operating in the region.
Regional legal manager | Fyffes
