Team size: Six 

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?  

Heraclitus’ Panta Rhei could be legal affairs management motto, since change is inevitable in corporate life and dealing with uncertainty is at the core of the legal profession. Financing, building and operating infrastructure projects is a long-term commitment for project companies and stakeholders, and it is expected that disruptive events will occur over the years. As general counsel of the Group’s motorway two concession project companies currently in operation, and with more such projects on the way, I am prepared to offer the Board and executive management a clear and structured legal strategy to achieve optimal results in an industry that prioritises safety, operational resilience, and business continuity. Operating accessible facilities around-the-clock requires the legal affairs management and team prompt and efficient response to any situation. Besides thorough knowledge of regulatory obligations and contract terms, this task necessitates being service-oriented and practical as well as having the ability to stay calm through emergencies, identify issues and risk accurately, and offer positive and straightforward guidance to the executive, public relations, and response teams’ management.

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?

Infrastructure sustainability is closely monitored and reported as required in the concession agreements and project documents. Our companies go well above contractual obligations as regards sustainability targets, with the aim of operating the country’s “greenest motorways”. As general counsel, I assist the CEO in aligning executive management’s vision with existing regulations and I provide legal support and documentation at board meetings regarding compliance with the Group’s ESG targets. A substantial part of the project companies’ annual budget is dedicated to environmental upgrading, energy efficiency and energy autonomy of company offices and project infrastructure. We expand the network of standard EV charging and other alternative fuel stations in all motorway facilities and rest areas, and we gradually establish a network of “zero feed-in” photovoltaic power stations on roadsides, building roofs and parking lots, producing renewable energy which is entirely consumed on-site for lighting and vehicle charging.

What emerging technologies do you see as having the most significant impact on the legal profession in the near future, and how do you stay updated on these developments? 

Integration of AI and machine learning tools in legal operations and court proceedings can reduce a burden currently carried by legal teams, freeing minds from routine tasks and allowing for more essential research and substantial work. At the same time, compliance with data protection and AI regulation is becoming the all-important subject of legal affairs’ everyday life. Closer to home, compliance with cybersecurity as well as with critical infrastructure resilience regulations is of the utmost importance in our industry. Therefore, staying updated on new regulation and jurisprudence regarding the above issues is an inherent part of our legal team’s and outside counsel regular duties.