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?   

Managing legal aspects during periods of instability requires a proactive and strategic approach that is closely aligned with the broader business strategy. It is essential to understand the legal implications of any business decision, particularly during a crisis. This necessitates regular communication between legal and business teams, ensuring that legal considerations are seamlessly integrated into the planning and execution of business strategies. 

The legal team should play an active role in risk management, identifying potential legal issues before they arise and developing strategies to mitigate those risks. For example, reviewing contracts for force majeure clauses is crucial; a recent case involved the Houthi threat to attack commercial shipments passing through the Arabian Peninsula. 

Furthermore, building a resilient organisation means being prepared for the challenges of the digital age, including cybersecurity threats and the global reach of digital media, which can have legal implications beyond a company’s home jurisdiction. Ultimately, aligning legal strategy with business strategy requires a dynamic and collaborative effort to protect the organisation’s interests and ensure its long-term resilience. This alignment is not solely about managing risks; it also involves identifying opportunities for the organisation to navigate crises and emerge stronger. 

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

I am proud to have recently participated in a major transaction that marks a significant milestone in our group’s history and is one of the largest ever in the cable industry. I am referring to Prysmian’s recent acquisition of Encore Wire, a US-based company listed on the NYSE, at USD 290 per share, which implies an enterprise value of approximately EUR 3.9 billion. The transaction successfully closed on July 2, 2024.

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

The sustainability strategy at Prysmian is based on four pillars, each contributing to the creation of added value for the group and all its stakeholders. The primary goal in the environment pillar is to proactively lead our group’s decarbonisation processes by promoting emission reduction actions throughout the value chain and developing solutions with positive impacts that extend beyond our business boundaries. In terms of people and communities, we place individuals at the core of our activities. We are dedicated to implementing employee-centric policies that recognise merit, promote diversity and inclusion, ensure work-life balance, and benefit the social communities where we operate. Our focus on governance highlights the central role of sustainability in our strategy, evidenced by the establishment of specific governance structures that oversee all group initiatives. This ensures transparency, accountability, and alignment with stakeholder interests in achieving ESG objectives. Lastly, innovation has been a strategic pillar since our origins, influencing all dimensions of the company. This includes developing new products that consider their sustainability value, along with decarbonisation and social impact initiatives. Currently, ESG KPIs are embedded in all of Prysmian’s industrial processes, and everyone at Prysmian is committed to ESG. To monitor improvements towards its targets, Prysmian has established a Sustainability Scorecard that sets forth a tangible and measurable action plan aimed at managing social, economic, and environmental impacts by integrating them into business operations. 

How have you integrated technology into your legal processes, and what impact has this had on efficiency and compliance?  

We are currently exploring the potential that artificial intelligence (AI) may offer in managing legal processes, beginning with the review and management of existing contracts, due diligence, and providing prompt guidance to the business in crisis situations based on existing contractual arrangements between the group and its various stakeholders. This is an ongoing endeavour, and we are confident and excited about the opportunities AI can bring. As a group, we aim to continue being a market leader from this perspective.