Could you tell us a bit about your significant successes in your role?

As part of my practice, I try to focus on giving commercially appropriate advice within the context of the legal risks assessed for each infrastructure project that I work on. My greatest successes have occurred when I am able to collaborate successfully with the other functions in the business and tailor my legal advice, by learning from my business partners’ experiences.

In your opinion, what are the qualities and skills needed to form a strong legal team?

A strong legal team listens to the wider business to understand and learn from their practical experiences, as well as taking time to understand the specific risks facing each project. A strong in-house legal team also ensures that their knowledge is shared in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for the business, as well as for the industry as a whole.

What is the biggest risk to your industry or organisation and how are you contributing to prepare your organisation for this?

The biggest risks in the construction and infrastructure sector often relate to delays and correctly pricing a project. The legal team assists with managing this risk by focusing on these areas when advising on projects and collaborating with the broader business units to ensure the risks are managed through price and scheduling.

What challenges have you overcome to get to the position you are in today?

One of my biggest challenges has been finding an appropriate work-life balance, which can be difficult in law. I have been lucky enough to have fantastic leaders that have encouraged me to find the right balance for myself and my family, and who acknowledge that each team member may have a different view of what constitutes “balance”.