Team size: 16

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?

Our Legal, Compliance, and Security team plays a strategic role in supporting resilience across the Americas region encompassing 13 countries, over 470 hotels, and a dynamic development pipeline. With a multicultural team fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, and deep sector knowledge, we are well positioned to anticipate legal risks and align closely with business objectives in fast-changing environments.

During the COVID-19 crisis, which strongly impacted our segment, we adopted a dual approach of agility and structure. We conducted early risk assessments, established rapid response teams, and collaborated with other departments to ensure business continuity. A key legal challenge was the management of force majeure claims and renegotiation of contracts to preserve flexibility while protecting long-term business interests. At the same time, we responded swiftly to shifting regulations across jurisdictions and provided clear legal guidance to support operational compliance. Open and assertive communication with hotel owners, partners and suppliers allowed us to resolve challenges collaboratively and preserve essential relationships.

We also supported the company’s digital transformation, embedding legal oversight into innovative solutions and ensuring adherence to privacy and data protection standards, helping the business stay agile and compliant.

Our legal strategy is fully integrated with Accor’s business strategy. Beyond managing crises, we help accelerate growth by customising legal frameworks to local realities, allowing for more efficient negotiations and risk management. Legal is not just a gatekeeper—it is a trusted partner in enabling decisions and advancing business goals.

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

Two recent initiatives exemplify this approach. The first is the “Turbo Project,” an Accor’s global transformation initiative that led to the creation of two dedicated divisions: Premium, Midscale & Economy and Luxury & Lifestyle. This structure enhances focus, agility, and alignment with each segment’s market dynamics. The Americas’ legal structuring of this major global reorganisation was led by my team and I, ensuring clear governance, contractual consistency, and compliance across jurisdictions.

Additionally, our team led legal efforts on a landmark $79 m transaction with Royal Holiday group, covering 17 hotel management agreements across Mexico, Argentina, Puerto Rico, and the USA. This high-impact deal strengthens our asset-light growth strategy in key resort destinations. Our role spanned due diligence, complex cross-border negotiations, stakeholders’ alignment, and preparation for post-closing phases such as antitrust clearance, rebranding, and operational integration.

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practises into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practises within the company?

Sustainability is another legal focus. As general counsel, I work to embed ESG commitments into our policies, guidelines and contracts by introducing strong environmental and social conditions to ensure the hotel owners, partners, supplier and employees’ responsibility and accountability and promote ethical conduct. My team also supports ESG practises implementation, ensuring legal compliance while fostering innovation and minimising risk exposure.

How do you prioritise diversity and inclusion within your legal department, and what initiatives have you implemented to foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment?

Equally important is our commitment to diversity and inclusion. We lead mentoring programs connecting senior leaders with emerging talent from underrepresented backgrounds and actively support initiatives such as RiiSE, which promotes gender equity and eliminates workplace barriers. We are also deeply involved in Canal da Mulher and the Acolhe Program, which assist women victims of violence by offering accommodation, psychological support, and professional training to promote their autonomy and empowerment.

These initiatives strengthen our legal function, enrich our culture with diverse perspectives, and reflect our commitment to resilience, inclusion, and responsible growth. Through every challenge and opportunity, our focus remains clear: enabling Accor to move forward with confidence and integrity.