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?

My approach to managing instability or crisis is structured, but not necessarily different from how I manage normal day-to-day operations. It essentially comes down to diligently allocating time to planning and developing robust systems that align with the business strategy and address issues that are likely to arise in the future.

During a crisis or in times of instability, it is important that resources are appropriately deployed. To do this, accurately identifying the issues requiring resolution is paramount as this ensures that the resources are devoted to solving the right problem and time is not wasted. Consistently and regularly allocating time to maintaining reliable checklists and precedents is key. Once developed, they serve as trusted guides for all team members and ensure that all critical elements are addressed when there is time pressure, competing objectives and limited resources. They also enable tasks to be logically broken down into manageable packages which can then be allocated to the team member with the appropriate skill and experience. I have found that this approach helps to ensure that the whole team can be fully utilized, without any one team member being overburdened, and that the whole team is ready when crises occur. Further, the absence of checklists and precedents relevant to the given crises will also show when it is time to call in external lawyers for back up and advice.

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

Over the past year, Drydocks World has dramatically expanded its capability with the objective of becoming a major player in the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) arena. As one part of this expansion, I have been responsible for structuring joint ventures with Aker Solutions, a Norwegian engineering entity that services the global energy industry, both in renewables and in low carbon oil and gas production. One recent transaction this JV is undertaking is the estimated billion-dollar upgrade of a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel for the Rosebank oil and gas field in the UK. As part of a team, I have been responsible for structuring the deal, negotiating the terms of the JV agreement and negotiating the contract terms with the customer.

What are the current trends in M&A activity in the Middle East, and which sectors are seeing the most growth?

There is a growing emphasis on supplementing traditional oil and gas operations, with significant projects involving clean energy and green technologies. Relevant to my area of activity, I have noticed a shift towards investment in sustainable energy sources, in particular, offshore wind farms. Companies in the renewable energy sector, are becoming attractive targets for investment and there is a considerable amount of cooperation between high tech multinational giants who are looking to join forces with different industry players that will fill the capability gaps enabling a JV or consortium to deliver a turn key project to the customer. Globally, tens of billions have been spent annually in this sector and the pipeline for these types of projects is expected to be in the hundreds of billions over the next decade.

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

The legal department at Drydocks World is the tip of the spear in promoting and ensuring compliance with its corporate social responsibility (CSR) obligations. In the region there has been a welcome and dramatic increase in the importance given to CSR and it the responsibility of my legal department to ensure that we at Drydocks adhere to all applicable laws and regulations including environmental laws, labour laws, anti-corruption regulations, sanctions and data protection laws.

The legal department is responsible for drafting, reviewing, and updating our CSR policies and are also responsible for providing training and awareness within the organisation to ensure that all employees understand and comply with their obligations. We manage the relevant compliance documentation, engage with customers and other stakeholders to further develop our CSR and provide strategic advice as to how we can integrate our legal and ethical obligations into our global business practices.