What are the most significant cases and transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

Over the past 12 months, the legal team has been involved in numerous major client contracts concluded with Loomis customers which are primarily found in the banking sector and the retail industry; with the goal of ensuring intended goals are achieved within an acceptable contractual and regulatory framework. The team also dealt with various litigation and regulatory proceedings, many of which are first-time cases and set precedents for the security industry.

Our legal work has also included helping our company identify potential roadblocks and mitigating risks, defending potential claims against the company and pursuing legitimate counterclaims, avoiding measures of public authorities (labour and anti-money laundering), and putting forward various legal opinions considering the company’s business strategy, goals, culture, and values.

Aside from this, the legal team consistently works with other teams, such as human resources, operation and risk management departments. This cooperation is based on a holistic risk analysis approach, considering Loomis’ high ethical security standards and organisational principles in all areas of cash management operations of the company. These collaborations, past experiences and practices, which have been proven to reduce operational risks, help us develop a more inclusive perspective within the company and make the legal team’s advice and efforts more effective.

What strategic priorities are guiding you and your team in 2024?

The core function of the team will remain the same: to provide our business with strategic and more importantly, applicable advice tailored to support our organisation; and ensure compliance with regulations by identifying any areas of improvement, defending and protecting the interests of the company. In this respect, it is crucial to understand the business activities and details of the operations of the company before your colleagues knock on your door to ask your opinion. Therefore, maintaining trustful, collegial, and respectful interactions with internal clients will continue to be essential to meet the company’s expectations of the legal team.

Besides that, recent studies forecast that the main challenges the legal teams will face are leveraging technology to increase efficiency, managing costs in an inflationary environment, and focusing on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance issues. No doubt, we will continue to concentrate on these areas. Furthermore, in line with one of the company’s aims, the legal team’s major focus will be training employees on all levels, as well as the promotion of a business culture emphasising the value of ethics and morals to ensure that they can manage the risks associated with the company.

Do you have a cause, business-related or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

I feel lucky that I have had the privilege of working in sectors as varied as textile and clothing, automotive, construction, retail, and fertilizer industries, each with unique challenges and lessons learned. I think as a legal professional, the most meaningful takeaway for me from each is the ability to adapt and evolve.

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, “that’s how I’ve always done it.” is no longer a good enough rationale. Therefore, staying curious, remaining open to new ideas and embracing the new way of doing things without losing my own values are essential aspects of my personal and professional growth, and these qualities inspire me to keep going and grow.