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?   

It is crucial to have a very good knowledge of the company’s business and business strategy, and to work closely with the business. Ensuring a culture of transparency, focusing on risk management and working proactively are further important tasks as general counsel in times of instability or crises.  

During periods of instability or crises, it is even more important as general counsel to demonstrate servant leadership; the willingness to take responsibility. Regarding the organisation’s resilience, it is essential to analyse how the business strategy will be impacted by the legal decision. In addition to this, it is fundamental as General Counsel to focus on modern leadership principles and not to maintain retention of power.  

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company?   

Sustainability is an integral part of Galenica’s corporate management. This is based on the steadfast belief that proactive and responsible action contributes significantly to the long-term economic success of a company, and has an impact both within and outside a company. We firmly believe that the Group can achieve long-term commercial success only if we also bear responsibility for society and use natural resources sparingly and efficiently.  

In addition to our customer promise, this conviction is reflected in the three key sustainability principles of Galenica. Supported by the Executive committee (as group general counsel I am a member of the extended executive committee), they form an essential part of the Group’s corporate culture.  

These three principles are reflected in our: company value – we increase the company’s value in the long term by acting sustainably; employees – we commit our employees to act responsibly and ensure a safe, flexible and supportive working environment; resource efficiency – we use resources respectfully and efficiently, to reduce negative environmental impacts.  

With these guiding principles, we educate and motivate our employees to continuously increase our resource intensity, efficiency, capacity for innovation and, ultimately, competitiveness. At the same time, the lively, ongoing dialogue with the various stakeholders helps to identify requirements and expectations at an early stage and to maintain Galenica’s solid reputation.  

As group general counsel, I support our Sustainability Committee. My team and I identify which disclosure standards apply; work closely with the business to make sure that the company follows ESG regulations; assess ESG risks; provide support in identifying and avoiding ESG risks; and help the organisation achieve their ESG targets.  

As group general counsel, secretary of the board of directors, and member of the extended executive committee, I am involved in creating a framework that oversees the ESG agenda of the company. It is essential to demonstrate my support for the ESG initiatives of the company.