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 organisational resilience?

Managing legal risk begins well before any crisis arises. At Bolttech, we embed legal risk management within our overall risk management framework and develop and implement legal risk mitigation strategies that align with our risk appetite and business goals. To achieve this, the Office of the General Counsel employs a business partnership mindset where team members are integrated into key business units to deliver strategic legal advice that aligns with business goals. Additionally, the team works proactively with business development and strategy teams to foresee legal requirements and embed legal considerations into strategic planning. Furthermore, at Bolttech, we emphasise that managing legal risk is a collective responsibility.

How do you balance being a legal risk manager with being a strategic business enabler, and where do you see the biggest tensions?

I make it a priority to understand the company’s vision, strategy, and key objectives. By aligning my legal advice with these broader goals, it allows my advice to not only mitigate risks but also support the business’s ability to achieve its ambitions. We strive to position ourselves as partners who help the business succeed by identifying risks early and offering actionable solutions – where possible, instead of saying “no,” we strive to work toward “yes, but here’s how we can mitigate the risks.”. It is also important to translate legal concerns into business-friendly language, explaining how managing risks supports long-term objectives like revenue growth, brand reputation, or operational efficiency, which helps to foster trust and collaboration between the legal team and the business teams.