Team size: 55

How do you suggest in-house lawyers build strong relationships with business partners?

I am currently leading a large team of diverse professionals responsible for all legal services related to transactional banking, markets, commercial property finance, regulatory, international offices and corridors, as well as investment banking, not only within Pan Africa but on an international level. Some of the transactions that my team has been involved in include those relating to energy renewal, fintech’s, telecoms, public sector, mining, aviation as well as cross border initiatives including the setting up of international offices.

Throughout my tenure, I have strived to exemplify exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and an in-depth understanding of the legal landscape from a global perspective. In anticipating legal trends, I have actively positioned CIB Legal to successfully navigate the dynamic legal environment. My vision for the future of the general counsel role aligns with the evolving needs of our industry. Post-pandemic, the focus on environmental sustainability and the impact of social inequality is driving significant changes in the banking industry including a significant shift in digital transformation and evolving customer expectations. To navigate the complexities related to trends such as environmental, social and governance (ESG), integration of digitisation and technologies, employee retention and culture dynamics in the face of hybrid working arrangements, I have implemented strategies to ensure CIB stays ahead in this ever-changing landscape. From a culture perspective, a lot of work has been done to ensure diversity and inclusivity including a strong focus on psychological safety. Another key focus is that new regulations are constantly being introduced impacting banks thus requiring a strong focus on such changes to ensure that the team is not lagging in the wake of the expanding regulatory perimeter.

In considering the technological advancements that will impact the role of in-house legal teams, I have been proactive in ensuring that my team integrates technologies such as Artificial intelligence, contract and regulatory automation as well as legal chat bots. Another key focus is on Crypto assets and novel contractual arrangements relating to API’S (Application Programming Interface). These innovations have proven invaluable in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of our legal team, aligning with the transformative potential these technologies hold in forging client centricity.

Building strong relationships with business partners is a key priority. I advocate a collaborative approach, emphasising clear communication, understanding business goals, and aligning legal strategies with overall business objectives. Such efforts have resulted in a cohesive and productive relationship between the legal department and other business units across the bank giving credence to the proposition that legal is a partner that enables business.