Team size: 5 – 8

What are the key projects that you have been involved in over the past 12 months?

Over the past year, I have led and supported several strategic legal initiatives focused on compliance, efficiency, and digital transformation.

A core area of work has been preparing the Group for imminent regulatory changes, particularly the NIS2 Directive and the AI Act. I worked with internal teams to assess compliance gaps, adjust policies, and implement measures to align with these evolving requirements.

I also led the standardisation of our contracting process by developing a set of tailored templates for recurring business activities. This has improved consistency, reduced negotiation time, and enhanced risk management across the organisation.

Another key project involved a comprehensive GDPR compliance review of our relationships with our partners. This involved clearly defining roles under data protection laws, refining contract language, and allocating obligations in a legally sound and operationally practical way.

Finally, I have actively supported the Group’s digital transformation project, working alongside IT to provide legal guidance on system implementation and digital tools, ensuring compliance is integrated from the outset.

These projects reflect a broader strategy to align legal operations with business goals, enabling the legal function to act as a partner in risk management, innovation, and long-term growth.

What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?

Agility is essential. A modern in-house counsel must combine legal expertise with strategic insight and business awareness. Strong communication skills are equally important, enabling counsel to translate complex legal concepts into actionable advice for diverse stakeholders. Beyond legal knowledge, understanding the company’s goals and risk landscape allows for more proactive, commercially aligned support. Embracing technology — including AI-powered tools — is now critical to increasing efficiency, managing compliance, and supporting digital transformation. Ultimately, today’s in-house lawyer must be a forward-thinking, collaborative advisor who enables business success while managing legal and regulatory risk effectively.

What strategies do you employ to ensure the successful digital transformation of a legal department while maintaining compliance with your country’s data protection laws?

Successful digital transformation starts with embedding compliance into the design of legal processes and tools. I work closely with IT and data protection teams to assess risks early, ensure privacy-by-design, and align technology adoption with regulatory requirements. We prioritise secure platforms, implement robust access controls, and conduct DPIAs where necessary. Training and awareness are also key to fostering a compliance-first mindset. By balancing innovation with legal rigour, the legal department can evolve efficiently while upholding data protection standards and maintaining stakeholder trust.

What is a cause, business or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

I’m passionate about fostering innovation that balances consumer needs with sustainability. With our industry’s scale (FMCG) and impact, we have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to promote environmental stewardship, fair supply chains, and conscious consumption, creating long-term value not just for business, but for people and the planet.