During his time at Accenture, Niel Haupt has, according to sources, played a pivotal role in establishing processes and ‘transforming’ legal into a frontline function. The global management consultancy, now operating in 30 African countries, remains in growth mode across the region.

Fully supporting a multinational of Accenture’s nature from a legal and compliance perspective, Haupt concedes, is one of his biggest challenges, and getting a hold on the ‘intricacies’ of the global business was also a ‘steep learning curve’. When it comes to working with outside counsel, he points to the need for individual lawyers to understand their clients.

‘I think there should be more opportunity for the building up of a “relationship” with one or two lawyers who get to know our business’