About

‘In Gasum Group, the legal team play a very strategic role’, describes vice president, legal affairs and human resources Kristiina Vuori, who together with Tiia Pellinen forms the Finnish integrated gas company’s legal department. As of 2014 the team has been supported by a Norwegian lawyer in the Gasum subsidiary Skangas. The support was required due to the significant growth of the corporation, which saw major reformations in regards to business and corporate structures. Following recent acquisitions, the company expanded its gas business into liquefied natural gas (LNG); this resulted in an increase in the organisation’s geographical coverage, which widened from Finland to Norway and Sweden. New business activities led to an increased workload for the legal department in addition to a heightened need for new expertise. The team is required to exhibit an advanced understanding of the LNG market due to a recent intensification in regulatory requirements. The legal division adds value to Gasum by acting as an ‘early business partner’ when dealing with contract negotiations; a key aim of the legal department is to ensure that business units achieve their strategic goals while minimising the legal risks. Vuori states that the team ‘operates in a cost efficient manner both in-house and when working with external law firms’, easing the cost burden for the company, as well as providing timely and expert advice.