What are the key projects that you have been involved in over the past 12 months?

Last year, I had the privilege of being involved in the negotiation of a joint procurement framework agreement (JPA) with the European Commission for the supply of Veklury (remdesivir) to participating member states. The JPA ensures continued rapid and equitable access to Veklury for COVID-19 patients. I led Gilead’s tender response and also supported the contract negotiations with the Commission.

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?

I have had some really fantastic experiences as a member of our local Crisis Management team during periods of crisis (including the COVID-19 pandemic and a more recent flood event that impacted our operations), and I also sit on the leadership team which often finds itself navigating periods of instability. My primary objective in times of crisis is to act as a calm and steady influence, helping to issue-spot legal matters that may threaten business continuity (stabilising contractual obligations, safeguarding regulatory compliance etc.), and also having a broader regard to reputational impact and the importance of clear and calm communication. It is vital during such times that Legal is fully embedded within cross-functional response teams, helping to shape decisions that are legally sound and commercially viable.

Strategically, I ensure that my legal approach mirrors the organisation’s broader resilience goals. I support the organisation’s risk radar—proactively monitoring changes in law, supply chain impacts, and reputational vulnerabilities.  It is critical that your legal strategy is aligned with the business’s goals and values, or else you will always be fighting to earn credibility and trust.

What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?

An in-house counsel must be more than just a legal expert; they must be a strategic partner to the business. In my view, some of the most critical attributes to earn this credibility include commercial acumen, agility, and emotional intelligence. The ability to translate complex legal issues into clear and pragmatic advice is essential, as is the capacity to influence cross-functional decisions, often at a very fast pace. Equally important is resilience, the ability to lead calmly through ambiguity and change, and lastly, a forward-thinking and solutions-focused mindset is vital to not only mitigate risk but also unlock opportunity and anticipate future challenges.

In my industry in particular, I think above all else, you must have a strong sense of purpose. Remembering that behind every contract, every regulatory submission, and every compliance call, there are patients whose lives depend on what we do is what truly defines success in this role.