What are the projects that you are most proud of working on over the past 12 months?

Over the past year, my focus has been on helping fast-growing companies build strong legal and compliance infrastructures from scratch, enabling them to scale and attract investors.

A key highlight has been my role as independent general counsel at Investancia Group, a leading impact reforestation company, where I have been responsible for implementing a robust corporate legal and compliance function and governance framework. My work involved ensuring their legal and compliance infrastructure aligns with global investment standards, making them well-positioned for further growth. In short, this involved establishing a governance framework, developing and rolling out compliance programs, creating templates, and implementing legal tech tools – all to enhance operational efficiency and support the company’s growth. What I am most proud of is not just developing something that didn’t exist before, but also helping scale-ups prepare for their next phase and turn their ambitions into reality.

Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting?

During my time at De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, one experience left a lasting impression. In my first month in Amsterdam, I joined the Corporate Litigation department, which held weekly case law lunches to discuss key legal developments.

At a session with about 20 colleagues, including the firm’s most senior partner, I was carefully listening and taking notes, though I wasn’t sure I fully grasped the discussion – and I likely wasn’t the only one. To my surprise, the senior partner raised his hand and said, “I believe I do not understand what you have just said. Can you explain it again?” His willingness to seek clarification, despite his stature, reshaped my perspective.

I had assumed that at a certain level, you were expected to understand everything. Yet, here was someone at the pinnacle of the profession proving that true expertise comes from asking questions, not avoiding them.

What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?

A modern in-house counsel is not just a legal advisor but also a strategic enabler, shaping company direction in an increasingly complex world. They must understand financials, risk appetite, and corporate strategy to ensure legal support also drives business success, not just mitigates risks. They should be tech-savvy and embrace legal tech, which is crucial for working efficiently. Moreover, top in-house counsel think ahead of the curve, anticipating regulatory shifts and business risks before they escalate. A modern GC typically does not advise on A or B, but brings you from A to B proactively, presented in a way that the other executives (non-lawyers) understand.

What do you think sets you apart from other in-house counsel?

What sets me apart is my ability to efficiently build legal and compliance functions from the ground up – lean, scalable, and future-proof. I have done this at ICL Group, West Coast Supply Group, and now at Investancia Group. My approach is not about building large teams but about leveraging standardisation, technology and automation to the fullest. I build legal functions that seamlessly combine internal efficiency with the right external expertise at the right moments. This approach ensures that scale-ups get the legal support they need without unnecessary overhead, striking a balance that resonates with both investors and trusted legal advisors.

I excel at translating complex legal matters into clear, actionable insights, enabling businesses to move forward without friction. With experience across multiple industries and jurisdictions, I always consider the bigger picture – seeing legal as a value driver rather than a bottleneck.

As an independent GC, my goal is to build a legal infrastructure that operates perfectly without me. Success means creating a framework that enables the business to scale with confidence – efficient, investor-ready, and self-sustaining. When that point is reached, it’s my cue to step back and take on the next scale-up challenge.