Team size: Five

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

The mindset is key! In Johnson Matthey, we have successfully implemented our Play to Win Strategy: Focus. Simplify. Execute. We focus on our strategic priorities, deploying our core competencies with maximum impact. We operate as a simple, agile organisation with lean processes and clear lines of accountability. This is underpinned by a rigorous performance culture. Only strong execution with a commercial mindset unlocks long-term growth.

Legal is living and breathing the Play to Win Strategy. Every single member of the Legal team does – and this brings it to live. This mindset allows us not only to master, but to drive change. The Legal function is more resilient and a key facilitator of the JM strategy. The Play to Win campaign has won a Brandon Hall Group Gold Medal for the Most Unique and Innovative Leadership Development Program in 2024.

What are the main cases or transactions that you have been involved in recently?

I am Head of the Catalyst Technologies – Legal Commercial team. My team is responsible for all legal aspects around the most groundbreaking and innovative technologies that help catalyse the net zero transition. Johnson Matthey is a world leader in sustainable technology solutions, transforming energy and reducing carbon emissions and my team is on the legal forefront of that journey.

My team has a track record of eleven project wins using JM’s sustainable technologies since 2022, including the successful execution of the following most recent complex projects:

We have recently signed an agreement with thyssenkrupp Uhde to join forces for an integrated solution for blue ammonia technology. This will enable the production of blue ammonia with up to 99% CO2 capture.

Johnson Matthey’s methanol technology has been selected for the largest e-methanol plant in South America with an expected production capacity of 700,000 tonnes per year. This will support the decarbonisation of the marine and automotive sectors.

Johnson Matthey and bp technology were chosen for the world’s largest Fischer Tropsch sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production plant, with a planned capacity of 13,000 barrels per day – capable of producing enough SAF for more than 30,000 transatlantic flights annually.

How have you integrated technology into your legal processes, and what impact has this had on efficiency and compliance?

The JM Legal team has been shortlisted for the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards Europe 2024. We have implemented automated operation and triaging processes to optimise work allocation and prompt business support. Several volunteer groups encourage wider involvement in decision-making and leadership within the department. Legal is now seen as a key facilitator and partner to the business.