Team size: Eight

Major legal advisers: Shoosmiths, A&L Goodbody, Matheson, Fieldfisher, OSM

What are some of the legal challenges that IT companies face in the development and use of emerging technologies in their products?

Emerging technologies and products are driving innovation and adaptation and bring as many opportunities as challenges for legal teams. In our industry, customers are embracing new technologies such as autonomous stores, robotic drinks’ servers and pizza cooks for offering efficient, touchless and 24-hour alternative solutions for food and drink services which, before the pandemic, relied on humans to operate. For in-house legal teams, ensuring the design and usage of these new technologies maintain compliance with evolving privacy laws, and advising on how other non-privacy related laws apply and anticipating how they may apply in future, continues to be the challenge.

In what ways do you see the in-house legal role evolving in your region over the next few years?

I see the in-house legal role continuing to evolve as business and strategic partners, leading the latest opportunities and challenges with the business. A key focus for the Aramark team is supporting profitable growth whilst mitigating risk. As we grow both organically and through acquisition in our region, the legal team will evolve by integrating and welcoming new clients and businesses to our family; we will take on board the best lessons from our new opportunities and share our insights and approach. Simultaneously, the Aramark team will be supporting our business on new laws, especially on the climate friendly, net zero and ESG journey, learning new subject areas and using our problem-solving skills to collaborate and guide the business as we carve our future path.

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

We have recently announced the acquisition of WilsonVale Holdings Limited, a niche family-owned business in the UK which provides premium catering to business and industry and independent schools. We successfully supported and guided Aramark’s growth in adding significant new business across our region, and some prestigious new wins we’re working on remain confidential for the moment. We have also supported our business expansion with new Avoca sites opening across Ireland and the sale of our Avoca store premises in Letterfrack in County Galway. We have also had some significant litigation wins, including a commercial court debt recovery win of over €1m. We have successfully negotiated new long-term distribution contracts following a lengthy tender process with our preferred supplier Sysco in both the UK and Ireland and to ensure our supply chain is well-placed to support our food business in the region.