How has your role as in-house counsel evolved over the past few years, particularly in response to shifting global or regional dynamics?

I have held the position of Legal Manager at Heineken for the past four years. The role is inherently dynamic due to the continuous evolution of regulations originating from both the USA and the EU, as well as the internal policies of multinational corporations. As a Legal Manager, it is essential to remain adaptable and consistently up to date with legal and regulatory developments. In my case, I completed a master’s degree in Corporate Law in 2020 and am currently pursuing an MBA at Centrum to broaden my expertise in the corporate and business management field.

Can you describe a time when legal had to balance risk mitigation with enabling business innovation?

On a day-to-day basis, commercial teams propose business ideas as part of efforts to explore new ventures. Based on my experience across different sectors—including mining, hydrocarbons, consulting, and currently, the brewing industry—a similar pattern can be observed. One specific case involved the intended launch of a beer product with a particular composition aimed at securing tax benefits. However, this was flagged by the Legal Department, and it became necessary to reach a middle ground in the product’s formulation in order to avoid potential legal and customs classification risks.

How do you build and maintain strong relationships with key internal stakeholders, especially in high-pressure or fast-moving scenarios?

Maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders is essential across all industries, and the brewing industry is no exception. In fact, due to the nature of the business, the brewing sector often lends itself to fostering excellent stakeholder engagement. Heineken is deeply committed to sustainability initiatives, including environmental protection, the development of renewable products, the use of green energy, and, more broadly, advancing the company in alignment with societal well-being. At Heineken, we actively engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, with a strong focus on supporting the communities surrounding our operations.

What do you consider the biggest challenge for in-house legal teams today, and how are you addressing it within your own team?

The greatest challenge currently facing legal teams relates to the dynamic and constantly evolving regulatory landscape. At Heineken, we address this by relying on specialised legal advisory services, working closely with various law firms—primarily with Estudio Muñiz as our lead counsel—to provide support on regulatory, corporate, consumer protection, and competition matters.

How do you cultivate legal talent internally, and what skills do you see as most essential for the next generation of in-house lawyers?

Internally, legal talent is cultivated through continuous training, the encouragement of academic development, and by requiring members of the legal team to provide training to their colleagues on legal matters as well as on Heineken’s corporate policies.

One particularly important area we promote is training in artificial intelligence. We firmly believe that legal professionals must be part of this new technological revolution, aiming to enhance and, where appropriate, automate legal advisory services—always maintaining sound human judgment and prior evaluation.

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company? 

Regarding sustainability matters, I must begin by saying that I am fortunate to work at Heineken. Our company has numerous policies related to sound commercial and corporate practices that ensure the predominant use of renewable energy sources. From a legal standpoint, it is essential to be involved in the approval chain for communications, advertising development, and regulatory updates that may impact these initiatives, in coordination with the Corporate Affairs team. It is the responsibility of the Legal Department to clearly communicate the applicable legal boundaries within our jurisdiction so that the corporation, in its transnational nature, remains fully informed of local regulatory requirements.