Team size: Seven

Major legal advisers: Dentons Cárdenas & Cárdenas

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?

By using new technologies, our legal team has reached new standards by review, draft, signed documents using cloud services, i.e. One Drive and DocuSign. OneDrive let us review with other parties’ legal documents at the same time, to reduce time and emails back and forth. Once the documents have been signed, these are stored in our cloud web service.

Also, we have development a series of Legal Design talks to the different company areas, using Colombina’s current online educational program: Colombina’s Corporative University, in different compliance topics, such as: system for self-control and management of the integral risk of money laundering, terrorism financing and financing of the proliferation of mass-destruction weapons (SAGRILAFT), personal data protection and environmental law. These courses allow to all the areas of the company to understand legal terms and conditions that are binding to the company even if they do not have legal background or knowledge. This let us reduce the risk of non-compliance or legal risk, that could affect our reputation or cause legal cost to the company.

What are some of the main trends impacting the industry sector you work in in Colombia?

Food labelling and sanitary regulation that could affect the consumption or sales of the company’s products, such as regulations about total amount of certain ingredients (sugar, sodium, saturated fats, sweeteners), packaging materials, advertising for under 12’s children, among others.

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?

Colombina has two solar farms in Colombia, and now it is discussion to inauguring a new one in Guatemala’s facilities, in this process our legal department has been a key participant to ensure the protection of our Company. This is a big milestone for us as it represents our contribution to efficient greenhouse-gas emission reduction. With this latest farm, 25% of Colombina’s total energy consumption will come from NCRE sources.

Also, for the 7th consecutive year, Colombina is part of the top 10 of food industry companies with best sustainability practices according to S&P Global’s 2022 corporate sustainability assessment (CSA) and our confectionery plant has achieved the zero waste certification in the gold category awarded by Icontec and Zero Waste Colombia, thanks to the continuous improvement programs implemented throughout all its processes to reduce, recycle, and reuse, as well as the excellent management of solid waste.

Additionally, as general counsel, along with my team, we had implemented a preventive legal advice plan through structuring an environmental legal matrix that allows us to easily identify the risk and threats regarding non-compliance of environmental laws and regulations.

What is a cause, business-related or otherwise, you are passionate about, and why?

For me, working for a food company that is recognized worldwide, makes me privileged and proud, every single day. To be able to advise the company to create new business opportunities, and see that coming true, it is truly satisfying and make it worth it.

Colombina is a global food company that endeavours to delight consumers with its winning combination of innovation and great tasting products. It is anchored by its strong master brand which endorses a wide range of well-known and highly regarded product brands as Bon Bon Bum, Coffee Delight, Nucita, Choco Break, among others. With presence in more than 90 countries around the world. Colombina brands and products are effectively merchandised for shoppers from all walks of life. In addition, Colombina is committed to a sustainability strategy, which engages all stakeholders. Colombina’s legal team is directly involved as an active part of the strategic deployment of Colombina business group.