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

I anticipate that businesses in our region will face several significant legal challenges over the next five years. One major issue will be increased regulatory complexity, as heightened government scrutiny and evolving regulations across sectors such as data privacy, environmental sustainability, and worker protection will require organisations to devote greater resources to ensuring comprehensive compliance.

In addition, cyber security and data governance risks will become increasingly prominent. The proliferation of digital transformation and reliance on interconnected systems will heighten exposure to cyber threats, data breaches, and privacy violations, necessitating robust cybersecurity frameworks and data governance protocols.

Furthermore, ongoing global supply chain volatility and geopolitical tensions will elevate the risks of contract disputes, force majeure claims, and disruptions to the flow of goods and services, which will require proactive contract management and risk mitigation strategies. Workforce challenges will also arise due to evolving employment laws, remote work dynamics, and pressures related to talent retention and acquisition, necessitating agile and employee-centric HR policies and practices to ensure regulatory compliance and maintain a productive, engaged workforce.

To prepare for these challenges, we are taking a multi-pronged approach. We are enhancing our in-house legal and compliance capabilities by strategically expanding our team’s expertise and investing in specialised training programmes. Additionally, we are strengthening our partnerships with leading external counsel and subject matter experts to leverage their deep industry knowledge and innovative legal strategies.

We are also implementing robust horizon-scanning and risk assessment processes to proactively identify, analyse, and address emerging legal and regulatory developments. Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams will embed legal considerations into the organisation’s strategic planning, operational decision-making, and change management initiatives. Lastly, we are upgrading our technological infrastructure and digital tools to enhance data analytics, workflow automation, and knowledge management capabilities, enabling the legal function to operate with greater efficiency and agility.

By adopting this comprehensive and proactive approach, we are confident that the legal function will be well-positioned to support the organisation’s continued growth and success in the face of these evolving legal challenges.

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

The legal department is a strategic partner in embedding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices across our organisation. It plays a critical role in several key areas.

In policy development and governance, the legal function collaborates with cross-functional teams to develop and regularly review comprehensive CSR policies, guidelines, and codes of conduct, ensuring that these CSR frameworks are aligned with applicable laws, regulations, and industry best practices.

Regarding risk identification and mitigation, the department conducts thorough due diligence and impact assessments to identify potential CSR-related risks, such as human rights violations, environmental damage, or ethical breaches. It also advises on appropriate risk mitigation strategies, including contractual safeguards, operational controls, and stakeholder engagement plans.

In terms of capacity building and training, the legal department designs and delivers targeted training programmes to equip employees across the organisation with the knowledge and skills to integrate CSR considerations into their day-to-day decision-making and operations.

By assuming this multifaceted role, the legal department acts as a key strategic enabler in driving the organisation’s CSR agenda, embedding sustainability, inclusivity, and accountability as core components of our corporate identity and value creation model.