Major legal advisers: Escandon Abogados, German Plazas & Abogados. EY, Brigard Urrutia

Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense?

A simple example that undoubtedly improved the participation of the legal area in each of the practices, was to establish permanent training schemes on legal matters in a basic and friendly way in a simple language that allowed us to be part of the business. but additionally avoids the overload of requests to lawyers and mitigates the risks associated with decisions without knowledge pressured by the day to day of our business on site. Thanks to these tools we have started to speak the same language to all stakeholders. I also believe that innovation is not always something complex and onerous for companies. Innovation is also about simple things that serve others, and that facilitate the day-to-day running of the business.

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?

Our sustainability agenda further develops the principles of the United Nations Global Pact, and includes the reduction of food waste, the measurement of the carbon footprint, the reduction of first-use plastics, and the sustainability of the communities in which we operate, among others. As general counsel I have participated directly in the construction of a sustainability programme with a view to providing a better quality of life to the populations of the municipalities of influence in Cesar where we are present, seeking to strengthen the agricultural vocation of the territory, through training, technical assistance and support to farmers, in the fruit and vegetable crops that enter our operations from the territory. As of May 2023, the project, which is part of a shared value alliance with VITAL and Drummond, has managed to supply more than 625,000 kilos of agricultural products, improving the income of small producers in the Colombian mining corridor.

How do you prioritise diversity and inclusion within your legal department, and what initiatives have you implemented to foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment?

The ESG agenda and the E&I programme is part of the legal team’s agenda, we actively participate in all the initiatives that as a group are a priority in each of the countries we operate, within which diversity and inclusion are some of our great values, the legal area consists of 60% women. Compass is a company that has instilled the values of diversity and inclusion throughout the business, so that all people feel that they contribute and that they can express themselves. At Compass we believe that diversity of thoughts and opinions makes for different unique ways of seeing the world, therefore we are working every day to promote fair, equitable, and inclusive working environments.