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

In general, but especially during the pandemic, it was vital to further align our business with the continuously changing market demands, and the customer needs behind it.  

In this context and in line with our Group strategy, we have partially reshaped our business in Germany. The legal department supported modifications under corporate law and governance aspects in coordination with external parties, advisors and external lawyers. As one prominent example: Sodexo entered the German market with a new business unit. The legal team facilitated the foundation of a new local entity for this business. But also, beyond the classical legal tasks, the team was closely involved in the operational transformation and establishment of the new business activity.  

How do you feel the pandemic has changed the world of work for in-house counsel and the function of the general counsel?     

More than ever, it comes down to trusting cooperation and first-class communication. When it comes to empowerment and accountability, the legal department has traditionally played an essential role with regard to the formal aspects. However, the pandemic has once again proven the importance of personal and proactive involvement in issues beyond the scope of traditional legal topics. Home offices, hardly any travel and fewer face-to-face meetings require an efficient, flexible and interdisciplinary way of working. Ideally, this can be achieved when all functions cooperate closely with and for each other. At Sodexo, we live the spirit of partnership, and an excellent international network within the legal department on a local, regional and global level helped to ensure success.  

How much influence do you, as a general counsel, have on the diversity and inclusion policies of your organisation?  

If I am honest, far more than I ever thought when joining Sodexo. We have a strong D&I network here, supported by a diverse workforce, which connects more than 100 nationalities in Germany. I am pleased to be the management sponsor for Germany for our LGBT*IQ chapter as a straight ally. We also cooperate closely with the German ‘Prout at Work Foundation’ in these regards. Thus, I am very grateful to be able to challenge and change outdated and too conservative views in this way, sometimes including my own. And I am extremely happy to work with our D&I and CSR Manager and colleagues from the leadership team on the design and implementation of respective policies and undertakings.