Legal team size: Six

Major legal advisers/ external counsel: Anjarwalla & Khanna as well as Bowmans Kenya

What country you are based in? Kenya

Looking forward, what trends do you foresee in the legal landscape over the next 5–10 years that companies should prepare for?

The growing impact of artificial intelligence will not only continue to affect the business environment, but also how legal services are provided. Among other things, AI will provide in-house, as well as external, legal teams with an opportunity to provide more services without necessarily having to increase their headcount or budget. However, if companies turn to AI for legal services without the oversight of legal counsel, this could lead to harmful consequences if business decisions are made based on inaccurate AI legal advice.

Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting?

I have had the privilege of being part of teams that have successfully negotiated high value transactions with multinational companies, international institutions, and various governments. This has given me invaluable experience in the art and science of negotiation in a cross-cultural context.

How does your team contribute to the overall business strategy of the company?

The legal team continually provides strategic legal advice to our Group companies on various matters affecting their businesses. This includes the impact of Finance Acts on excise duties and other taxes payable, as well as how the latest developments in areas such as data protection, privacy, and competition law, in the various countries in which the Group operates, will impact how transactions are structured and/or how companies should best operate.

How are you bringing the legal department closer to your business colleagues?

I champion a business partner concept whereby each member of the legal department serves as a business partner for several of our Group companies in order to be the first point of call in case any has a legal matter that needs to be addressed e.g. in respect of a commercial contract or business dispute. In addition, each department member is encouraged to spend a day or two each week working from the site premises of their Group companies so that they can directly engage with the teams they support and agree on the practical actions to be taken to address legal issues as they arise.