Team size: 12

What are the projects that you are most proud of working on over the past 12 months?

I’m truly impressed and inspired by our team’s contribution to the company’s intense transformation journey over the last 12 months but more generally over the past couple of years, while at the same time ensuring that the day to day legal, IP and compliance requirements of the organisation are met with exceptional quality and timeliness. The key to success has been the building of a true partnership model where we work as part of the business rather than as a separate control function.

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crisis to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

In times of turbulence or crisis, it’s key to have a well-defined crisis management process in place, ensuring that all stakeholders are aware of their roles and responsibilities. As a General Counsel, you have an important role, both in terms of ensuring robust governance, but also being ahead of the curve on understanding current and emerging risks (whether legal, compliance or otherwise), and being able to quickly accelerate actions to mitigate risk in times of crisis or instability.

Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting?

My four years in private practice in China between 2010 and 2014 was transformative for me on both a personal and professional level. Apart from giving me an depth view on Chinese culture and business, it also expanded my professional remit beyond M&A and transactions, and strengthened my ability to navigate through uncertainty and ambiguity. This has proven an invaluable experience when transitioning to the in-house role, both in terms of managing teams in an international environment, but also in the ability take decisions and drive forward through complex situations.

What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?

Solid legal skills and integrity are necessary and important pre-requisites, but still not a sufficient basis to excel in the in-house world. In today’s fast paced and complex business environment, an open mindset, ability to adapt and strong partnering and communication skills are equally important for success, and will enable the in-house counsel to drive true value. I would also add that being able to adapt and leverage new technology is becoming ever more relevant for successful execution of legal and compliance priorities in today’s world.

How do you display creativity in your role?

In-house lawyers have one of the best vantage points in a company to be silo-breakers. In our day to day jobs, we are exposed to a number of different internal and external topics across the spectrum of commercial, regulatory, financial and other angles, and we are therefore uniquely positioned to connect dots. Using that position to provide outside-in perspectives to our business colleagues can foster interesting discussions and creative solutions in partnership with our stakeholders.