Team size:   3 people

What are the most significant cases, projects and/or transactions that you and/or your legal team have recently been involved in?

Last year was marked by an important professional transition in my career. I moved from a role at one of the giants of the consumer goods industry, Unilever, and took the step toward joining one of the global leaders in animal nutrition, Nutreco.

During my last period at Unilever, I had the opportunity to be directly involved in the separation of the ice cream business and the creation of the world’s largest ice cream company in Ecuador, where I was part of the establishment team of The Magnum IC Company. I also participated first-hand in the process of divesting the ice cream business in Venezuela.

How can general counsel foster a corporate culture that supports ESG principles and compliance across all levels of the organisation?

General counsel play a critical role in shaping a corporate culture where ESG principles and compliance are not just formal requirements but part of the organisation’s identity. In my experience, this begins with positioning the legal function as a strategic partner — one that collaborates with leadership teams, operations and HR to embed ESG values into everyday decision making.

First, it is essential to ensure clarity and accessibility. Policies relating to sustainability, ethical conduct, data protection, anticorruption, and human rights must be translated into practical guidance that employees understand and can apply in their daily roles. Legal teams should support this by offering trainings, short toolkits and scenario-based discussions that make complex principles tangible and relatable.

Second, fostering a culture of accountability is crucial. This can be achieved by setting clear expectations for leaders at all levels, integrating ESG metrics into performance reviews, and ensuring that compliance obligations are supported by transparent reporting and follow-up processes. When leaders model ethical behaviour and decision making aligned with ESG principles, it sets the tone for the rest of the organisation.

Third, cross-functional collaboration is key. ESG challenges rarely fall within a single department, so legal teams must work closely with sustainability, procurement, operations and communications to ensure alignment. This includes reviewing supply chain risks, guiding responsible business practices, and assessing how regulatory developments affect long-term strategy.

Finally, empowering employees to speak up is essential for an authentic ESG culture. General counsel should champion robust whistleblowing channels, non-retaliation policies and open dialogue. When employees trust the system and feel safe raising concerns, the organisation becomes more resilient, transparent and aligned with its values.

In essence, general counsel foster an ESG-driven culture by combining legal expertise with leadership, education and collaboration. By doing so, they help build organisations where compliance is proactive, sustainability is integral to decision making, and purpose and performance reinforce each other.