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?

In the past two months, we have navigated significant challenges due to the ongoing war crisis, including urgent contracts, limited internet access and payment difficulties due to legal procedures. The essential role of each department in facilitating quick yet compliant decisions during the activation of Business Continuity Planning (BCP) has a significant impact on business. As a producer of infant formula and supplementary food for babies, our operations are critical. The legal team plays a vital role in balancing speed with safety.

To ensure efficiency and responsiveness, several actions were implemented to streamline agreement execution and decision-making processes. Rapid-use template agreements — such as simplified NDAs and purchase agreements — were made readily accessible, allowing teams to save time while maintaining service quality and compliance standards.

To support this, expedited evaluation protocols were introduced. These included pre-approved criteria defining what constitutes “acceptable risk” in urgent circumstances, enabling faster decision-making without compromising oversight. In addition, contractual safeguards were embedded into key documents, allowing for post-hoc due diligence and providing termination rights in cases of non-compliance.

A Decision Rights Matrix was also developed under the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) framework. This matrix clearly delineates which decisions can be approved at the country, regional, or headquarters level, ensuring clarity and reducing delays in both approvals and payment procedures.

Finally, conditional pre-approvals based on defined thresholds were established. This system streamlines the approval process by setting clear limits within which teams can operate autonomously, ensuring agility while maintaining governance controls.

Despite these obstacles, we successfully enabled the business to finalise and sign contracts, approve the payments and do the screening at a balanced speed. Even we did screening process for more than 10 charities, to approve donations of baby food in crisis situations. These legal frameworks supported Business to maintain operation and keep the factory running without interruption. Not only did we survive together, but we also experienced growth during this challenging period.

How can general counsel foster a corporate culture that supports ESG principles and compliance across all levels of the organisation?

Over the past three years, our legal team has actively participated in a Youth Program by bringing in legal interns from fresh graduate talent pools in alignment with Social Responsibility of Company. Many of these individuals struggle to find employment due to a lack of experience and the high unemployment rate in the country, which often leads to immigration of Youth.

To date, we have hosted ten legal interns, and upon completing their internship, many have successfully secured positions with well-known companies. This initiative not only positions Nestlé as a market leader that values social responsibility but also supports the development of a skilled, educated generation. By providing these opportunities, we help interns enhance their expertise and cultivate their leadership abilities, laying a strong foundation for their future careers.

What measures has your company taken to incorporate sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how can general counsel contribute to driving such initiatives within the organisation?

Since last year, I have been actively involved in a sustainability program focused on installing a solar plant. I am leading this project with the support of all relevant departments. Among various renewable energy options, solar energy stands out as particularly advantageous given Iran’s geographical conditions.

Sustainability requires a collective effort. We began by exploring options that comply with local regulations, selecting the most suitable one to ensure the company’s security. After identifying the right approach, I have taken the lead in preparing reports, participating in negotiations, and providing the company with comparative quotations, tools, devices, and all necessary requirements. The negotiations process was done in clear performance and liabilities, along with compliance rules and regulations. The final report enables Business to have a transparent comparison and clear risk assessment on Service providers and legal solutions.

I believe that a general counsel can play a crucial role in sustainability initiatives, given their comprehensive understanding of local regulations, legal options, contractual obligations, and the implementation process. As a member of the Legal and Compliance team, I am committed to ensuring that solar energy becomes an active part of our sustainability program, addressing the local electricity shortage crisis.

We have a responsibility to minimise our environmental impact while working towards a cleaner and brighter future. This initiative positions our company as a forward-thinking and socially responsible organisation, which is highly valued by our customers, employees, and the community. Leading the project by Legal ensures compliance with sustainability goals and managing risk and strengthening resilience.