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?   

Given the industry knowledge and tenure in the role and given the experience as GC of large multinational with large geographic remits, I would say:  

Proactive Risk Management: Anticipate potential legal issues by regularly assessing operational environments. Identify areas susceptible to instability, such as supply chain disruptions, regulatory changes. Establish pre-emptive legal and contractual safeguards to minimise exposure to risks.  

Integration with Business Strategy: Align the legal strategy with broader business objectives. Regular communication with other business units ensures that legal actions support overarching business continuity plans. It’s not just about protecting the organisation from legal harm; it’s about enabling the company to thrive in the face of challenges.  

Seamless Collaboration: Work closely with other departments to understand their goals and strategies. Legal actions should complement overall business objectives, ensuring stability and fostering growth even during uncertain times.  

Important to me is to have the consciousness that every crisis might offer an opportunity for growth and learn. 

What role does the legal department play in promoting and ensuring corporate social responsibility in your organisation?   

As an experienced general counsel in the food industry with consumer exposition, legal department plays a pivotal role in promoting and ensuring corporate social responsibility (CSR) and even in preventing risks framing a compliance process to shape responsible business practices. 

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?   

Supply Chain and Contract Management: Given global instability, review supply and customer contracts. Identify weaknesses, exit routes, and devise risk-mitigation strategies. Legal due diligence is vital.  

Data Privacy and Cybersecurity: As digitalisation accelerates, GDPR compliance and robust cybersecurity measures are critical. Protecting sensitive data and responding to breaches require legal expertise.  

AI tools implementation: AI it’s an emerging challenge. Legal frameworks around AI ethics, liability, and intellectual property rights will evolve. As AI adoption grows, businesses must navigate these legal complexities. It’s an area to explore, the EU AI Act introduces a frame, the role of governance and compliance will be fundamental.