What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

There have been a few significant cases in which my legal team was involved in. One of them is the acquisition by Ecopetrol of a 51.4% stake in Interconexión Eléctrica (ISA) for $3.6bn. Being an investment ban team, we have had the role of advising Ecopetrol in this transaction.

Another relevant transaction was the incorporation by Celsia and Bancolombia of a platform for the development of solar generation projects.

We have also assisted our investment banking team in structuring 16 debt offerings in the Colombian market and the legal structuring of several project finance deals, including 4G infrastructure projects and the financing of Metro de Medellín.

Furthermore, we have provided a fiduciary vehicle that allowed Bancolombia and CCLA Group to enter a joint venture to develop and operate multi-family buildings across Colombia.

Finally, we have structured and launched a new investment fund to invest in alternative assets, enriching the range of investment alternatives.

What will be the main focus for the company in the next 12 months and how do you intend to assist with this?

Firstly, we will be setting up a registered investment adviser and a stockbroker in the US — Bancolombia Capital.

Secondly, I will participate in project finance transactions related to non-conventional renewable energies, 5th generation toll-road concessions, and a long-term loan of the Metro de Bogota.

Thirdly, I will play a part in our sustainability strategy, from different perspectives, with Bancolombia as issuer —as a lender — developing our sustainable loan portfolio; as an asset manager – with new funds considering ESG strategies. Regarding M&A, the focus will be to advise our national and international clients on their projects and Bancolombia projects. We expect a lot of activity in the real estate and energy sectors and the consolidation of consumer goods companies.

Finally, we are committed to participating in equity and bond issuances from several local and regional issuers.

If you had to give advice to an aspiring in-house lawyer or general counsel, what would it be and why?

I advise an aspiring general counsel in the banking sector to develop different skills in line with industry trends. These include understanding digital banking, sustainable finance, cybersecurity, and crypto assets.

General management skills and promoting diversity among legal teams are continuously becoming more important for general counsel.