Senior vice president and general counsel | Danfoss
Anders Stahlschmidt
Senior vice president and general counsel | Danfoss
What are the major cases or transactions you have been involved in recently?
The acquisition of Eaton Hydraulics and the formation of the Semikron Danfoss joint venture are among the major transactions I have recently supported.
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 part of the Danfoss DNA and is embedded across the Danfoss Group. Danfoss has approved Science Based Targets (SBTi) and aims to reduce its emissions by 90% by 2030 – and we are currently ahead of plan.
To achieve these goals, it is essential that both suppliers and customers share our level of ambition. This is also reflected in our legal agreements. As a legal department, we prepare policies outlining the sustainability requirements to be included in commercial contracts.
As an additional point, meeting sustainability targets is incorporated into the Group’s bonus programmes, which also apply to the legal department.
What emerging technologies do you see as having the most significant impact on the legal profession in the near future, and how do you stay updated on these developments?
AI – without a doubt. Danfoss Legal is actively engaging with AI and is currently in the process of integrating a legal tech system that goes beyond standard tools like Co-pilot.
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?
I have a very diverse team, made up of different nationalities, genders, and backgrounds. Even here in Denmark, the team is highly diverse – reflecting Danfoss’s belief that diverse teams deliver better results. Diversity and inclusion are considered not only in recruitment processes, but also in the day-to-day work and leadership of the department. It is essential to demonstrate that you truly believe in and live by these values.
The group has launched various initiatives – also covering the legal department – to ensure that diversity and inclusion remain a key focus. Some of these initiatives may be challenged by the current approach to DE&I in the US, but so far Danfoss is staying the course, because we believe it is the right thing to do.
In your opinion, what are the main trends that are salient in your country currently?
Right now, one of the key challenges is the tariffs imposed by the US government. As a result, the group is looking to accelerate localisation efforts. Danfoss has operations across the globe, but not all supply chains are short or local – this is something we are actively examining. It is likely that the era of globalisation as we knew it has come to an end, and to ensure resilience going forward, we need to become more local.
General counsel | Danfoss
Senior Vice President & General Counsel | Danfoss A/S
