About

DuPont’s general counsel for Southeast Asia, Serene Lau also functions as a global deputy general counsel of DuPont Titanium Technologies (DTT), and is a key leader in the country management team for Singapore. To achieve excellence within such a multidimensional role, it is important for Lau to build trust and credibility and become a valued adviser, not just in the field of legal work, but also by helping to manage business risks holistically. ‘It is important to take responsibility and accountability on matters, but know also who to hold accountable and responsible for the execution and progress of the matters, and also arm and enable them to be able to take on that accountability and responsibility’, Lau shares. Since joining DuPont, Lau has implemented training and education to ensure clarity. ‘This has helped streamline legal engagement, and resulted in very efficient legal spend in all Asean countries that DuPont operates in’, Lau says. As DuPont runs a number of major projects globally on the M&A front, Lau’s establishment of the expected rules of engagement with each external advisor has also been of paramount importance. Prior to joining DuPont five years ago, Lau has impressed with her achievement to set up business operations of various companies across Asia Pacific in the most efficient manner, utilising a pragmatic and compliant balance of laws and regulations as well as political and geographical risks. Prior roles in Lau’s career include in-house legal counsel positions at Syngenta, Dell and Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, and a private practice role at Rajah & Tann.