Team size: 2

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

I joined Marktlink Capital as general counsel in September 2023. Marktlink Capital is a fast-growing scale up (fund of funds) private equity and venture capital platform. I am Marktlink Capital’s first GC and part of the management team.

One of the projects is getting the organisation to be fully compliant for its AIFMD license (a mandatory license to investment fund management). This includes embedding policies and procedures within the organisation but also training staff.

Further, I am proactively involved in creating new products for our investors.

As GC of a fast-growing scale-up company, the overall main achievement or project is essentially that, within a very short timeframe, I had to win the hearts and minds of all employees, so that they feel comfortable asking me legal or fiscal questions, but on the other hand maintaining a helicopter view regarding legal and tax compliance (i.e., to ensure that the company remains compliant).

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

I wouldn’t claim that I am better than other in-house counsel. What I try to do, and what I learnt from working at a law firm, is to think in solutions. GCs should flag legal risks to the management team, but, in my view, should also share solutions and a step plan to mitigate or resolve such risks. Further, I also trust my feelings. When something feels iffy, that is a signal that I have to look into a matter: when in doubt, always check.

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

In my view, GCs could and should bring more to the management table. GCs tend to think differently from finance or business management team members and their different angle or approach is relevant and beneficial to further growing businesses. Overall, I do believe that it is more and more recognised that GCs can play such a role. But GCs themselves should also step outside of their legal comfort zone and think more commercially – but of course not ignoring the law.

What is a cause, business or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

In my private life, I like gardening. I very much like to spend time gardening. It helps to relax the mind and is completely different than legal work. Although, of course, diligence is also relevant because every plant has its own pruning requirements.