About

Nominated in this year’s research for, among other things, having a ‘a preponderant role in compliance matters at Falabella’, Gonzalo Smith is a distinguished figure in Chile’s in-house market with 15 years of experience of working in senior positions at major retail companies in the country and currently heads the legal function at Falabella, a popular industry leader in the sector. Over the past 12 months he has been responsible for overseeing a number of important, group-related projects concerning the opening of stores in international jurisdictions as well as significant acquisitions and divestments, all of which require a strong focus on commercial acumen whilst ensuring the company remains compliant to relevant laws and regulations. A nominator also highlights how Smith gives back to the legal community in Chile whilst advancing important social goals: ‘He also leads a diploma in Universidad Católica. Smith plays an active role in diversity issues at the company, for example, he has given several lectures on this matter, some of them in conjunction with The Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice’.