How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

I think that, as in house lawyers, we have a transversal view of the company and can coordinate a lot of different teams or stakeholders in difficult situations, helping everyone to focus on real priorities and the core of the company business. We are always a good ally to have by your side when something happens.

What are the main cases or transactions that you have been involved in recently?

Nowadays, so many cases that it is difficult to choose one… Our day can go from transforming the way we work on a daily basis and answering any doubts or requests that come to us, to big cases, such as M&A operations, or handling crises or critical situations.

How can general counsel foster a corporate culture that supports ESG principles and compliance across all levels of the organisation?

At Otis, we are each accountable to deliver excellence in what we do, across our production, installation, maintenance and repair processes, as well as in sales, marketing and financial reporting. To ensure accountability, we uphold high standards of governance, ethics and integrity, implemented through strong internal controls, consistent training and colleague engagement. Strong governance leads to superior business outcomes and the Otis Board of Directors is regularly engaged on a wide range of matters, spanning business strategy and ESG-related topics. We have codified our Absolutes of Safety, Ethics and Quality in The Otis Absolutes, a code of ethics applicable to all Otis colleagues globally and the Otis Board. Additionally, we have adopted company policies, practices and procedures to further implement the Absolutes.

Underscoring the importance of good corporate citizenship, our Board and its committees engage in extensive review and oversight of ESG-related topics. Otis has developed an ESG governance model that supports our commitment to doing good in line with our business strategy.

How have you integrated technology into your legal processes, and what impact has this had on efficiency and compliance?

In house lawyers need technology as much as the rest of departments in order to work more efficiently. We cannot be behind. We need it to speak the same language as the rest of the organisation and be measured by the same (or similar) criteria. Technology helps us to have a better archive organisation, accurate records of all the activity of the department, and to control our workload, providing KPI and times of response, as well. It also helps provide better information on tasks and how we perform, and, with appropriate analysis, can change the way we work, or help the organisation to take action in repeated situations.

What role does the legal department play in promoting and ensuring corporate social responsibility in your organisation?

ESG matters impact every part of the business, and, accordingly, ESG governance is cross-functional. The ESG Council – composed of senior leaders representing key functions including Communications, EH&S, Human Resources, Investor Relations, Legal and Growth & Strategy – works closely with the ESG Working Group. The ESG Working Group, composed of subject matter experts across ESG issues material to our business, assists the ESG Council in developing and implementing the company’s ESG strategy.

What do you see as the major legal challenges for businesses in Spain over the next five years, and how are you preparing to address them?

Organisations obviously invest in business first. Legal departments also need investment, with appropriate systems, technology and (controlled) AI tools that will help us have a quick and accurate response to multiple situations.

In Europe, we are experiencing a strong wave of regulation in various aspects, and, of course, in Spain as well – not only in our sector, but across many economic activities. Knowing how to interpret this regulation, which affects relevant issues such as sustainability, data protection, etc., will be key to helping the business continue to focus on the needs of customers.