What has been the number one challenge that has impacted you over the past year?

Although business for Accor was very good, the geopolitical situation in the wake of Covid-19 has had an impact on legal operations in Northern Europe and on collaboration with our colleagues in the affected areas.

Do you have an example of a time when you have come up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works that did not result in a large expense?

Not quite sure this is innovation, but I often turn to common sense. This inevitably results in simple solutions with limited expenses.

What would you say are the unique qualities required to be successful as an in-house lawyer in your industry?

Cognitive flexibility and emotional agility. Due to the cost-of-living crisis many countries are facing, resulting in soaring energy prices and record-shattering inflation rates, business must constantly adapt. A lawyer needs to tap into experience, knowledge and creativity to guide and guard business through uncharted territories. How do you cater to leisure travellers and hotel work spaces, holistic hospitality and well-being, the digitalisation of the guest experience, hyper-personalisation and AI? The regulatory landscape is increasingly complex and business in the future will need to rely on legal for strategic thinking.