Event Report

On 28th March, The Legal 500 was delighted to be in Copenhagen again to host the GC Summit Denmark 2023. The event gathered leading general counsel and private practice practitioners from all around Denmark who provided their insight into cutting-edge legal topics and deliver outstanding panel discussions. The Summit opened with a keynote speech by Mette Rosholm, Executive Vice President for Procurement and Legal at DSB.

The first panel of the day was introduced to the audience by DLA Piper. Led by Chris Arnold, Jens Krogh Petersen and Nina Wedsted, partners at DLA Piper, the discussion focused on the new patterns of completing mergers and acquisitions around the world. Along with Tomas Krüger Andersen (ATP) and Robin Philip (DLG), they discussed the challenges in obtaining external financing, in a context of inflation and increasing interest rates. They also shared insightful comments on how companies can achieve their ESG targets whilst being confronted with negative global trends, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the energy crises and supply-chain crises.

Anne Cathrine Ingerslev, of Bruun & Hjejle, moderated the second session. The panel, which also included Peter S. Andersen (TDC NET), Martin Graa Jennum (European Energy), and Lars Eibeholm (SEB Denmark), discussed the growing market for sustainable finance. After explaining how the integration of ESG and sustainability into corporate decision-making has evolved into a strategic imperative, making sustainable finance a priority for boards and investors, the speakers expanded on the current opportunities, challenges and risks of sustainable finance.

The following session was hosted by Christian Halskov Sauer and Christina Rahbek, of Gorrissen Federspiel. They gave a comprehensive introduction examining, how in an era of growing focus on corporate sustainability, companies are increasingly entering into corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs), with the two objectives of accessing renewable energy and advancing their ESG agenda. Jacob Bendixen (Our New Energy) and Kim Nielsen (Energi Danmark) joined the discussion to elaborate on the legal, commercial, regulatory and reputational considerations of the evolving market standards, and made recommendations about how companies can develop a corporate PPA and energy procurement strategy to support their ESG goals.

To conclude the Summit, Monna Maria Nielsen, Richard Grint, and Ricardo Gomez, of FTI Consulting, chaired a panel on white-collar crime and investigations with Martin Lønstrup (Sandvik), and

Nicolai Ellehuus (Bang & Olufsen). They presented they main drivers and top challenges in investigations of white-collar crimes in the face of increased scrutiny of corporate behaviour and higher accountability. The speakers also explored the influence of the global economic and political landscape on white-collar crimes and corporate investigation, and offered guidance on promoting a culture of corporate compliance and being able to respond to emerging risks.

After a very compelling afternoon, attendees continued the conversation and enjoyed a valuable networking opportunity over drinks and canapes at the prestigious Skt Petri Hotel.

A huge thank you again to all our panellists for sharing their insights, and special thanks to Bruun & Hjejle, DLA Piper, FTI Consulting, and Gorrissen Federspiel for partnering with us on this successful event in Copenhagen.

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