About

A lawyer with a proven track record of adaptability and versatility and solid experience of creating value via business process improvements, Oscar Lira Valdes boasts a career of 15 years leading teams that cover legal, sustainability, contract management, human resources and investment projects. In charge of the legal department at Pacific Hydro, a global clean energy solutions provider, since December 2015, Lira has undertaken an impressive overhaul of the legal function, establishing interdisciplinary committees to address problems arising from across the company. In addition, Lira was appointed to lead the contracts, procurement and bidding department, achieving the implementation of a strict compliance policy. However, not all of Lira’s achievements have been operational or legal, he has also made considerable impact on Pacific Hydro from a commercial point of view: ‘I have also taught my lawyers to solve problems from a business perspective’, he adds. Adding immense experience to the legal team, Lira has been able to increase work efficiency, whilst significantly reducing external spend. Prior to joining Pacific Hydro Lira spent eight months at U. Central developing a corporate structure and dealing with government institutions. His first in-house role was with CODELCO, the world’s largest copper producer, where he was responsible for provision of direct advice to the CEO and board of the company. As one source said: Lira’s biggest value adds probably come from his ‘experience, dealing with people-negotiating, and solving problems fast and being a [business] partner’.