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?  

The environment we are operating in is of continuous change and evolution and is becoming more complex and challenging. In times of such (unpredicted) challenges, periods of instability or crisis, which are full of opportunities for the legal team to create even more visibility and greater impact, it is important to understand that it is by far not enough to be an outstanding legal subject matter expert anymore. More than ever, it lies within the responsibility of the person leading the internal legal department to ensure proper development opportunities for their team members in areas beyond legal expertise and skills in order to be in a position to proactively create additional substantial value and navigate appropriately. The necessity to really understand the organisation’s business, the challenges it faces during periods of instability or crisis and the overall strategy it pursues in such times is an absolute must in order to be in a position to align the legal strategy with the broader business strategy and thereby helping the business to grow and succeed even further.   

How do you prioritise diversity and inclusion within your legal department, and what initiatives have you implemented to foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment?  

At Deloitte, we are all committed to fostering an environment where every employee feels valued, included, and empowered. Diversity is not only a reflection of our differences, but a celebration of the unique perspectives and talents each of us brings to the table, where we can be our true selves and thrive. I do strongly believe that a diverse and inclusive workplace is not just a moral imperative, but also a strategic business advantage. I have consciously built a very diverse team consisting of 60% female and 40% male legal practitioners where – among other things – the world’s three major monotheistic religions are represented. This enriches our culture, drives innovation, and enhances our ability to understand and serve our diverse stakeholders.