Team size: 6

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

I spearheaded the legal efforts in launching a new suite of solutions that Solera calls “Sustainable Estimatics”. In light of the global environmental challenges we face, Solera, as the world leader in data-driven (SaaS) services in the vehicle lifetime management industry, utilised its data, tech and expertise to provide valuable insights aimed at reducing CO2e emissions within the automotive claims business. One example of this, from the Sustainable Estimatics suite, is reduction of the carbon footprint by opting for repair parts rather than replacing them. When repair is not feasible, the use of eco-friendly recycled parts is encouraged. To protect the future of our planet, it is crucial that we take responsibility to halt, and even reverse, climate change.

Further, I led Solera’s EU compliance project related to the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). DORA was enacted to strengthen the digital operational resilience of financial entities in the event of a severe disruption of their IT security. Given that Solera serves many regulated customers across the EU, we recognise that the fin-sec IT services landscape is evolving. As a result, we have adopted a group-wide, service-based approach to ensure ongoing compliance. This initiative not only led to the signing of additional agreements with customers and vendors, but also further elevated the maturity of our organisation, aligning with sector-specific guidelines and risk profiles.

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

What sets me apart as in-house counsel is my ability to manage a wide remit of legal matters, often within a small team. I have gained extensive experience in navigating complex regulatory and compliance challenges across multiple jurisdictions outside the EU, such as Russia, Belarus, Saudi Arabia, Korea, and Australia. This global exposure has honed my ability to quickly adapt to varying legal frameworks and operate efficiently in regions with differing legal landscapes. My ability to balance the demands of a broad scope of issues, while maintaining a strategic focus on the company’s goals, has been key in driving success in these regions. I thrive in fast-paced environments, managing competing demands and collaborating with cross-functional teams worldwide to deliver practical, business-oriented legal solutions.

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

In my view, aside from possessing the legal skillset, several key attributes are crucial to effectively navigate the evolving legal landscape and add value to the organisation. A modern in-house counsel should operate as a resilient, strategic business partner, ensuring alignment with the company’s goals and objectives. This requires not only strong legal expertise, but also solid business acumen to understand the company’s operations, industry, and market dynamics. An in-house counsel must excel in risk management, balancing legal risks with business opportunities to support the organisation’s growth and success.

Additionally, it’s fundamental to be adaptable and quick on your feet, fully grasping the business rationale behind complex projects, deals, and issues to achieve the best result possible. In this fast-paced environment, the ability to solve problems creatively and provide practical legal solutions is invaluable. Strong communication skills are essential to clearly and effectively convey complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders ensuring alignment across the organisation.

Finally, a successful in-house counsel must demonstrate ethical integrity and professional judgment, maintaining a high standard of trust and confidentiality, whilst also building strong relationships with various departments. To foster an integrated and effective legal function that supports the company’s broader business goals, I prefer a collaborative approach.