Assuming the position of group general counsel at Arkema, a global leader in the specialty chemicals industry, has enabled Jérôme Gandon to implement his own vision for the management of a legal department, perfectly tailored to the profile and activities of the company.

Besides embracing digital evolution and contributing to the development of soft skills within his team, Gandon has been credited for his work on unifying the legal unit, whilst simultaneously preserving its autonomy, accountability and regional specifications. During his previous four-year tenure as chief legal counsel for aluminium covering EMEA at the global mining giant Rio Tinto, Gandon impressed with his flawless support of the multi-billion dollar regional unit, which itself is a former first rank group. This role, alongside his position of managing attorney (which he held between July and December 2013), has, according to Gandon, enriched his experience as ‘a leading lawyer in a global organisation’ and has enabled him to develop managerial skills and vision of ‘the role and organisation of an international legal department’.

When asked to share his thoughts on specific characteristics that make a top-quality in-house lawyer, Gandon says: ‘Apart from professionalism and legal knowledge which are now prerequisites and each taken as a given, I would [say] business acumen, a good understanding of and interest in the activities of the group to which one belongs, as well as communication skills, ability to prioritise and manage time and resources, political, diplomatic and strategic skills’.