Team size: Three

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?

During 2023 we implemented a project in legal design and visual law, the project is applying design techniques such as user research, prototyping, and visual communication to improve the way legal contracts are presented and delivered

The goal of this project in legal design is to create legal solutions that are not only legally accurate but also meet the needs and expectations of the business, whether they are legal professionals, clients, or members of the public. By making legal information more accessible and understandable, legal design can improve access to justice, reduce confusion and frustration, and ultimately increase trust in the legal system.

Together with my team we have successfully implemented this project that is creating efficiencies for the business. I would like to highlight the support of Jan Baran who co-led the project.

During 2023 the Mexico and Central America team implemented the GDPR privacy project in the business.

The DPP goes beyond just legal compliance ensuring adherence to the Reckitt privacy standards and international best practices on protection of personal data. The governance model implemented by the DPP defines the roles, functions and interrelations between the different teams involved in the processing of personal data. The DPP also includes a data mapping procedure that includes the recording of the data processing activities in the company and also identifies the data lifecycle.

The DPP comprehends all the necessary actions to demonstrate compliance with the accountability principle established in the Mexican Data Protection Law (MDPL) and its regulations. I would like to recognise the amazing support of our leader Priscila Cruz who supported us in the process as well as Abraham Arturo Ugalde, Ana Carolina Tavares and Maria Isabel Navarro who co lead this transformational project.

During this year we implemented the Labour Reform for Poland, the reform represented an important transformation in the way we handle labor relations in the organisation.

From a legal requirement to a business value creation programme, putting our people and business first, this project represented: Preparation of new templates of employees – remote working statements; training sessions to all employees; benchmark to review the remote work allowance to cover the costs related to remote work; address new requirements for privileged employees; and develop new guide for health and safety issues related to employees working remotely.

Can you foresee any key developments to the way general counsel work over the next five years?

Since I started my career in Reckitt Andean (Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Venezuela) I have learnt that transformation has been the only constant throughout my professional life. Our role as legal advisors is to learn about business needs, the importance of developing our teams and support the operation in this transformation journey. Legal function needs to be a true business partner for the company leaving formalities behind to assure Reckitt can meet the consumers’ needs and develop the capabilities for the future.

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?

Embracing each person’s unique heritage, celebrating diversity and ensuring inclusivity inspires our legal function to be a better business partner for Reckitt. Our amazing team has decided to lead the transformation agenda by joining the ERG – Social Justice. We are promoting and removing barriers to access and development in our company for people with different or less privileged backgrounds. Together we are serving better our consumers and assuring them that we are meeting their expectations.

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?

Purpose is at the heart of every decision that our business takes. Together with the procurement and supply team we have implemented the Purpose, Human Rights and Sustainability KPIs in each of the contracts that we sign. Together, we are assuring that our vendors and suppliers are sharing the same values and assuring that the products that we are providing to our consumers are meeting the quality conditions expected.