In an increasingly complex global environment, how are you helping your organisation navigate risk while still supporting growth?

In an increasingly complex global environment, my role is to enable my organisation to take the right risks, with decisive speed. Our legal team works closely with our business teams and clients to understand and manage legal risks and implement practical solutions with speed. In addition, we are involved early, not only when problems occur.

This allows us to shape outcomes, not just manage issues. This enables faster decisions with legal input, reducing the need for reactive, last-minute interventions.

How has the role of General Counsel evolved in recent years, and where do you see GCs creating the most value today?

The role of General Counsel has evolved from primarily a guardian of risk to a strategic trusted business partner and enabler of transformation. Today’s GC must deeply understand the business model, go-to-market strategy and commercial realities to give advice that is timely, relevant, and which helps the organisation navigate complexity whilst enabling growth. In addition, familiarity with AI is essential. Beyond understanding the legal and regulatory implications, GCs are expected to embrace AI as a tool to enhance efficiency and decision-making, whilst ensuring its responsible and ethical use across the organisation.

How has AI changed the legal function recently (including in the past year), and how are you approaching it within your team?

AI is evolving rapidly and it has shifted from experimentation to being embedded in everyday legal work. We operate a hybrid AI stack, bringing together in-house innovation, enterprise tools and solutions from trusted partners. AI is embedded across our entire legal workflow now and we have a range of hybrid tools supporting matters such as legal intake, contract review, contract drafting, engagement of external law firms, as well as IBM ‘Ask’ engines. AI has changed what the business rightly expects from the legal function. Culturally, our approach is open and experimental. AI is treated as a productivity and thinking tool, not a replacement for legal judgement. By embracing AI responsibly and confidently, our legal team becomes faster, more scalable and more strategic – better positioned to support our business in a rapidly changing environment.