About

Viscofan Group is an IBEX-35 company and a world leader in the manufacturing and distribution of artificial casings for the meat industry. Elena Ciordia has been at the helm of the company since 2000, after first joining Viscofan in 1995 as the only solicitor, reporting to the then chief legal officer. She started her career at a local tax and audit law firm, while at the same time working as a lecturer of European law at the public University of Navarra. Sources praised her efficient navigation of extremely challenging deals that need expedited timelines; examples include the acquisition of a company in only three months and the sale of another one in four days. Ciordia’s negotiating skills have secured the company a high number of successful cases. She led the process for the signature of a $1m settlement, while the initial proposition of the settlement started at $50,000. ‘It was a real fight’ she admits. Throughout her long tenure at Viscofan, Ciordia has taken wide-reaching initiatives to raise awareness within the company of the legal implications of each action. ‘I tried to make my colleagues conscious about the fact that nearly everything they do has a legal aspect. I have avoided legal language so everyone understands what we are talking about and they are more aware of their work and whether they need help from the legal department’. She takes pride in gaining her colleagues trust because of her approach. ‘I have my colleagues telling me that they always want me to be on their side, not opposite, which I think is a big achievement, they consider me as a fighter for our interest; I take that as a compliment’ she comments.