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

The RSA Ireland legal team have continued to work closely with colleagues across the business to support the company’s very ambitious plans to maintain and grow its leading market position in Ireland.

How have you attempted to bring the legal department closer to your business colleagues?

The legal department is an intrinsic part of the business and enjoys very close working relationships right across the key functions up to, and including the CEO. As head of the function, I always emphasise that the in-house team knows the business better than anyone (following more than 12 years in the business), and it is crucial to utilise that experience to optimise the approach to both potential legal issues and wider business opportunities. Maintaining key stakeholder relationships with the executive team and the board is a crucial part of ensuring that the legal department is seen as an integral part of the business.

How do you see the general counsel role evolving in Ireland over the next five-ten years?

The general counsel role will continue to evolve and grow in importance over the next five to ten years. The last decade has seen a massive increase in the in-house legal sector as businesses recognise the business benefits and potential cost savings associated with having experienced in-house counsel with knowledge of the business itself and its key stakeholders.