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?

As the Head of the Legal Department, my role during periods of instability or crisis is to proactively safeguard the company’s interests while ensuring business continuity. My team focuses on identifying and mitigating legal risks, such as reviewing contracts for force majeure clauses and ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations. We align our legal strategy with the broader business objectives by protecting intellectual property, negotiating flexible contracts, and pursuing efficient dispute resolution. We also play a key role in crisis governance and communication, ensuring that legal considerations are integrated into decision-making processes. In times of financial instability, we assess insurance coverage, explore relief programs, and renegotiate supplier contracts to manage risks effectively. We also ensure employment law compliance during restructuring or layoffs. Our legal approach ensures that the company remains resilient, minimizes liabilities, and navigates regulatory challenges, ultimately supporting the long-term success of the business through strategic legal guidance

In your opinion, what are the main trends affecting your work now ?

As the Company Secretary/General Counsel of Chemical and Allied Products PLC, several key trends are currently shaping my work: Regulatory Compliance: The chemical industry faces increasing regulatory demands, particularly around environmental standards, chemical safety, and labour laws. Staying ahead of these changes is crucial for compliance and to avoid potential penalties. Corporate Governance: There is greater emphasis on corporate governance, transparency, and ethical business practices. This trend requires me to continually strengthen governance frameworks and ensure alignment with best practices, especially given heightened scrutiny from stakeholders. Litigation Risk and Dispute Resolution: Economic instability and global disruptions increase the likelihood of disputes, particularly around supply chain issues and contractual obligations. I focus on strategic dispute resolution, using mediation and arbitration to resolve conflicts efficiently and avoid costly litigation. Supply Chain Disruptions: Geopolitical tensions, pandemics, and economic volatility are causing significant disruptions. Legal strategies are needed to address contractual issues and renegotiate supplier relationships to mitigate risks. Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity: The rise of digital technologies demands enhanced focus on data privacy, intellectual property protection, and compliance with cybersecurity regulations to safeguard sensitive business information. These trends require a dynamic and proactive legal strategy to ensure resilience and long-term success.

3 What strategic priorities are guiding your legal team into 2025? 

As we move into 2025, the top strategic priorities for my legal team are Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. AI will be a key focus, enabling us to streamline contract management, compliance monitoring, and legal research, improving efficiency and decision-making. We will invest in AI technologies to handle complex legal tasks, reducing human error and accelerating response times. Alongside this, ESG will be central to our legal strategy. We will strengthen our approach to regulatory compliance, particularly around environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility. This includes ensuring adherence to evolving environmental laws, promoting diversity and inclusion, and enhancing governance practices. By integrating AI with ESG principles, we aim to foster greater transparency, ethical conduct, and sustainability in our operations. Our legal team will focus on proactive risk management, ensuring compliance with both regulatory requirements and our own corporate values to drive long-term business resilience.