How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

The legal area can definitively help the organisation to manage and cope with periods of instability or crises as we may be the beacon that guides and helps finds solutions to the issues that might arise. As the legal system is majorly based on common sense and general customs, we are trained to apply that type of thoughts to find solutions so, in a crisis, this type of thinking can help the organisation to solve the issues. We are also used to negotiate – everything- so good communications skills, ability to convince, and resilience, as within a same day you “win” or “lose” several times, are key capabilities that general counsel can bring to the organisation and that are particularly useful in periods of instability or crises.

What role does the legal department play in promoting and ensuring corporate social responsibility in your organisation?

As the general counsel, my role in promoting and ensuring Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is both strategic and integral to the success of our initiatives, as the legal department plays a central role in ensuring that all our CSR activities, from social impact programs to environmental sustainability, and compliance with national regulations.

For example, through the Tienda Inglesa Foundation we are deeply committed to promoting employment opportunities for vulnerable populations, with two programs. “Trayectorias”, launched in 2018, focuses on labour inclusion for young people in situations of socio-economic vulnerability. As of today 868 participants from various organisations of Montevideo, Canelones, and Maldonado have taken part in the program and b) “Sin Límites” , launched in 2019, supports the labour inclusion of people with disabilities, and features a personalised process for each candidate; currently, 60% of our stores are part of the Program. These programs not only provide job opportunities but also offer training for job seekers, helping to ease their entry into the workforce and facilitate a smooth onboarding process and also ensure that we foster a highly diverse workforce, supported by specialists in the field.

The legal department also plays a key role in embedding our CSR values throughout the organisation. We help develop and enforce internal policies that guide our practices in environmental responsibility and social inclusion. Our aim is not merely to comply with the law, but to lead by example by integrating these values into our corporate culture. For example, since July 2023, we have an agreement with the Banco de Alimentos de Uruguay (Uruguayan Food Bank) to donate bakery products to organisations that support vulnerable communities near our stores in Montevideo and Canelones.

We have also implemented changes in the packaging of our fresh products we sell, as well as internal campaigns for collecting plastics for recycling and repurposing commercial banners to give them a second life.

Ultimately, my role is to oversee the proper implementation of these initiatives, coordinating with various internal teams and external organisations, while ensuring compliance with both legal requirements and our company’s values at every stage. It is a significant responsibility, one that I undertake with deep professional and personal commitment.