Julio Planas Vidal  – GC Powerlist
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Mexico 2025

Financials

Julio Planas Vidal 

Vice president legal & sustainability, assistant general counsel | Element Fleet Management Corporation

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Mexico 2025

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Julio Planas Vidal 

Vice president legal & sustainability, assistant general counsel | Element Fleet Management Corporation

Team size: 15

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?

In periods of instability or crisis, my approach focuses on maintaining a balance between risk mitigation and business continuity taking into account that our business is now focused in intelligent mobilkity. I start by identifying and prioritising critical risks—whether operational, regulatory, or contractual—and ensuring the leadership team has clear visibility into potential legal exposures and available mitigation strategies.

At Element, I work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that our legal strategy is fully aligned with the broader business objectives. This means developing flexible frameworks and contingency plans that support decision-making under uncertainty while protecting the company’s reputation, assets, and stakeholder relationships.

I also emphasise proactive communication and scenario planning. By integrating legal insights into strategic and operational discussions early, we help the organisation navigate challenges confidently and remain agile. Ultimately, my goal is to ensure that legal is seen not just as a control function, but as a strategic partner that contributes to resilience wit specialised legal knowledge, long-term value creation, and sustainable growth.

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?

At Element, sustainability is not treated as a peripheral initiative but as a core driver of long-term value creation. Our commitment to environmental, social, and governance principles is deeply embedded across our operations, from product development and services management to governance structures and stakeholder engagement. We view sustainability as both a moral imperative and a business enabler, ensuring that our growth contributes positively to society and the planet.

To embed sustainability into our core business operations, Element has implemented a multi-layered strategy built on measurable goals, transparency, and accountability. Environmentally, we have adopted rigorous standards to reduce our carbon footprint, and improve energy efficiency. Our Sourcing policies prioritise responsible sourcing, ensuring that our partners adhere to ethical labor, human-rights, and environmental practices. On the social dimension, we invest in community engagement, inclusion, and employee well-being, recognising that human capital is central to sustainable performance. From a governance perspective, we have integrated sustainability oversight into our board and executive committees, embedding sustainability metrics into risk management, audit, and strategic decision-making processes.

The role of the General Counsel (GC) is central to advancing and safeguarding these efforts. As General Counsel, my responsibility extends beyond legal compliance to ensuring that sustainability principles are reflected in the company’s strategic decisions and operational conduct. This begins with developing a strong governance framework that aligns corporate behavior with regulatory expectations and stakeholder values. I oversee the integration of ESG considerations into corporate policies, contractual frameworks, and disclosure obligations, ensuring that our sustainability commitments are enforceable, transparent, and credible.

A key part of this role involves risk anticipation and ethical stewardship. Sustainability issues—such as climate change, data privacy, or social responsibility—pose evolving legal and reputational risks. The legal department leads in identifying these risks early, advising management on emerging ESG regulations, and ensuring that the company remains compliant across jurisdictions. By doing so, we help Element stay ahead of regulatory developments while promoting a culture of accountability and ethical conduct.

Moreover, the General Counsel serves as a bridge between the board, management, and external stakeholders on ESG matters. This involves fostering dialogue between legal, compliance, and sustainability teams to ensure consistent implementation of our policies and alignment with global standards such as the UN Global Compact, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and the Sustainable Development Goals. In collaboration with our sustainability officers, I help ensure that our public reporting reflects genuine progress rather than aspirational statements—reinforcing Element’s reputation for integrity and transparency.

Ultimately, embedding sustainability into Element’s DNA requires leadership, consistency, and cross-functional commitment. The legal function acts as both guardian and enabler—ensuring compliance while facilitating innovation and sustainable growth. By weaving ESG principles into every contract, policy, and decision, we not only mitigate risk but also create enduring value for our stakeholders and future generations

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