Team Size: 3

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

Effective crisis management begins with foresight and preparation. It is essential to anticipate the potential impact of any legal action and to understand how such actions may affect the company operationally, financially, and reputationally. To ensure readiness, I have established a Legal Risk Meter and a Compliance Matrix covering contracts, regulatory matters, and corporate governance. These tools provide a structured framework for assessing potential risks across key business areas—operations, legal, finance, and commercial—allowing the company to respond swiftly and strategically to any dispute or unexpected event. The Legal Risk Meter is fully aligned with the organisation’s primary commercial and operational risks, as well as the Group’s Golden Rules, which safeguard essential aspects such as key performance indicators, investment protections, penalties, payment terms, and intellectual property. This alignment ensures that every legal response supports broader business priorities while maintaining compliance and protecting the company’s core assets.

What are the major cases or transactions you have been involved in recently?

One of the most significant projects I have been involved in was the due diligence and integration process following the acquisition of our group in Mexico by a French corporate entity. This transaction presented several legal challenges, particularly around the company name change and associated risks that could have led to contract breaches, regulatory non-compliance, or even temporary billing suspensions. To mitigate these risks, we implemented a proactive legal strategy that prioritised communication, contract reassignment where necessary, and the use of standardised legal documents for all suppliers and service providers. We also engaged in direct negotiations with clients to ensure continued payment obligations and prevent service interruptions. These actions helped preserve business continuity, safeguard relationships, and ensure a smooth transition during a complex period of corporate change.

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?

The legal department plays a central role in advancing the company’s sustainability agenda, particularly through the ESR (Socially Responsible Company) certification process. Our contribution includes drafting and enforcing internal policies, designing compliance procedures, and facilitating key governance committees such as the Equality and Non-Discrimination Committee and the Ethics Committee. To ensure accountability, we are developing KPIs to measure the effectiveness of these initiatives over time. Beyond policy work, the legal team has spearheaded a programme to donate surplus food to non-profit organisations in alignment with national “Stop Food Waste” objectives. This initiative not only complies with relevant legislation but also strengthens our community impact by building partnerships that allow for quick and efficient food redistribution before expiration. All donations are supported by tax-deductible receipts and documented through periodic operational reports to monitor reductions in surplus. Through these initiatives, the legal department ensures that sustainability is not only a compliance requirement but a practical and measurable component of the company’s broader operational and ethical framework.