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? 

In my view, during troubled times of instability or crises, it remains fundamental for seasoned legal organisations to keep the true north and avoid entropy: I see a huge risk to prefer fast-tracks and “open the fences” when the business requires more flexibility and risk appetite, but  relaxing the processes is not the answer, differently my approach turns more into creativity, thinking outside the box and do-more-with-less to give the answers in times of uncertainty.   

What are the main cases or transactions that you have been involved in recently? 

Nokia passed through a consistent business reorganisation and the legal team has been instrumental to ensure a smooth transition on one side, and keeping the company safe on the other side, no matter what.  

How do you measure the impact of ESG initiatives on the company’s overall performance and reputation? 

It is widely recognised that ESG can affect companies’ performance and value in the market in several ways: more conscious risk management, scouting new market opportunities, and virtuous interaction with social environment. ESG shouldn’t be perceived as an antagonist of corporate profitability, rather as an enabler to achieve better results through sustainability and social responsibility. Sustainable practices not only improve corporate culture, relationships within the company and with stakeholders, but above all position the company to face operational inefficiencies and become a more valuable asset.  

What do you see as the major legal challenges for businesses in Italy over the next five years, and how are you preparing to address them? 

The unprecedented political and economic situation has created an environment of uncertainty where companies will either adapt of collapse. I see several challenges in the near future – in Italy and generally in Europe – which makes our job more exciting and demanding at the same time: doing business in a fast-evolving geopolitical map, dealing with sanctions and sanitary restrictions or the use of AI and new technologies are just few of the tasks  we are required to deal with in the coming years (or months!)