Team size: 12

What is the biggest risk facing your industry now and how are you preparing your organisation to deal with this?

My organisation — Hinduja Group — is a century-old conglomerate with a multi-billion turnover of around 150,000 people, operating in 40 countries and doing business in 12 verticals.

With the rapid change in the global political order, I consider geopolitical risk in doing business as the major risk. Tensions between the two major powers — US and China — and their political and economic wars will affect the business community globally. Additionally, I consider the current Russian- Ukrainian war and its likely geopolitical and economic fallout causing inflation and possible recession as major risks to the entire global population, both economically and socially. Moreover, international sanctions imposed on many countries pose a major risk of creating uncertainty in doing business with those countries.

Many states are creating new regulatory regimes to protect their security interests. This needs to be dealt with appropriately.

Lastly, the strict compliance regime is expected to become more severe, which would result in more frequent changes in law globally, which need to be dealt with.

What are some of the most significant cases or transactions you have worked on recently?

We have a mega project with a European joint venture partner. They were unable to fund the project. This triggered their exit from the project, which was not smooth. I participated in the intense negotiations and subsequent documentation to ensure their exit.

After the departure of our joint venture partner, I took part in commercial and legal negotiations with a replacement joint venture partner from the Middle East.

Currently, I am negotiating the acquisition of a technology company in Europe and the USA. Since their products are defence-related, regulatory approvals are needed under local laws that are new and unique.

Additionally, we have a mega real estate project in the Uk that is complex. It involves the creation of various structures in Europe which are tax driven. I am deeply involved with the overall project and advise them on legal and structural issues. Furthermore, I am assisting in negotiations and documentation with an Asian investor to bring in foreign direct investment in our manufacturing companies.

I am deeply involved in helping the Group to create a legal structure for entering into the hospitality sector in Europe. I am also assisting our electric vehicle business to restructure and bring in foreign investments. My scope also involves litigations spanning various continents.

What is a cause, business or otherwise, you are passionate about and why?

I am passionate about being a mentor to many students and other professionals. I have been doing this for many years. I mentor students at Queen Mary’s University, London, where I am an advisory board member in their Commercial Law faculty.

I am involved in pro bono legal work and give legal advice even for personal purposes. I also participate in global organisations like the International Bar Association, International Chamber of Commerce, and Confederation of Indian Industry to promote the cause of general counsel in particular and in-house counsel in general.

I enjoy writing articles for international legal magazines. I speak at many conferences around the world. The idea is to share my knowledge and experience with the outside legal fraternity and gain understanding from them.