Team size: Five

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

Mergers and acquistions in Europe and Canada with valuations of up to DKK3bn (€400m). A total of 18 acquisitions made since 2013 with three acquisitions closed in 2023 comprising: (a) Nørrebro Bryghus (Denmark’s first and oldest craft brewery, DKK32m net revenue); (b) Vrumona (second largest soft drink company in the Netherlands, DKK1.513m net revenue); and (c) Birrificio San Giorgio (Italian brewery site). Negotiations of exclusive license and collaboration agreements with international partners.

What would you say are the unique qualities required to be successful as an in-house lawyer in your industry?

As an in-house counsel in the fast-moving consumer goods industry, you need to be able to adapt to the ever creative and fast-moving culture. You need to be able to find solutions and accept that sometimes a legal solution that is not 100% waterproof, but rather 80 to 90% is sufficient to balance risk with commercial opportunity and get the deal done.

How have you fostered a closer collaboration between the legal department and your business counterparts?

It is important to earn and maintain a role as the trusted advisor for the board of directors, executive management and all organisational levels across functions and borders. The legal department must show a high level of accountability and being able to understand and advise on all business-related matters, including M&A, contracts, compliance, risk management, CSR and corporate governance etc. You must be able to understand and support commercial decisions and adapt to the requirements and evolution of the business. The legal department must be pro-active and seek its place in cross functional teams and take the lead if necessary.

Do you have a cause, business-related or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

Sustainability is a subject matter that I am very passionate about. It is important for me to be part of a business that prioritises all aspects of sustainability in the broadest possible sense, meaning not only sustainability within environmental, labour, human rights and corruption, but much further, including legal compliance, tax compliance etc. and is important for me to support that agenda and ensure that the group of companies that I am part of acts responsibly at all times in all respects.