How can general counsel foster a corporate culture that supports ESG principles and compliance across all levels of the organisation?

Sustainability and integrity are at the core of DS Smith’s business. While all corporate functions share responsibility for achieving our ESG objectives, the leadership of the legal department has a unique and critical role to play.

First and foremost, by engaging in continuous horizon scanning, we ensure that the company remains fully informed of all applicable legal standards and emerging regulatory trends.

Secondly, we must cultivate strong internal relationships, enabling us to collaborate effectively across departments and develop pragmatic, unified approaches to the challenges posed by a constantly evolving legal landscape.

Finally, in our role as day-to-day advisors, we must embed the perspective that legal and compliance considerations are not obstacles, but essential enablers of sustainable and responsible business growth.

Based on your experiences in the past year, are there any trends in the legal or business world that you are keeping an eye on, of which you think other in-house lawyers should be mindful?

I believe the key challenge we are all facing in the business world is the rapid pace of technological development. For many lawyers — especially those whose education is rooted in legal philosophy and the civil law tradition—keeping up with these changes can be a real struggle. Familiarity with basic office software is no longer sufficient to effectively manage a legal function or to serve as a strategic partner to the business.

As such, we need to challenge ourselves and build capabilities on the IT front. This is essential preparation for what lies ahead: increased litigation related to cybersecurity, the practical use of smart contracts enabled by blockchain technology, and the integration of AI models to automate compliance systems.

Even if math and technical subjects weren’t our focus in school, it’s never too late to expand our perspective. A growth mindset and a willingness to adapt are now critical attributes for in-house lawyers navigating this evolving landscape.