What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

I joined the BCP team in April 2022 and I assumed functions as company secretary in December, as the former company secretary retired.

As company secretary, I advise the board of directors and the executive committee in relation to all legal corporate issues, I am responsible for the corporate governance of the group in Portugal, I lead the preparation of the general meeting of the bank, which is quite complex as the bank is a listed company with significant free float, and I am involved in all corporate M&A of the group.

Why are in-house lawyers well-placed to drive change within their organisations?

In-house lawyers and, particularly, the company secretary’s office, work closely with the board members. We are crucial in raising the rights questions and proposing solutions both to the organisation and to the board.

As we live in a fast-paced world today, what skills will a corporate legal team need to succeed in the modern in-house industry?

A good legal basis, flexibility of mind, self-motivation and resilience in structure are all required to succeed in the modern in-house industry. In this world it is very difficult to introduce significant changes to old practices and move forward, but a solid legal ground is the key.