In recent years as Legal and Corporate Affairs Manager, I have gone from having a traditional legal function to a strategic, transversal and integrated position within the business. This role allows me to lead in a coordinated manner the areas: legal, regulatory, compliance and sustainability. The increasing complexity of the regulatory environment – including tax changes, labelling requirements, compliance standards and ESG criteria – has demanded a proactive approach, anticipating risks and consolidating the legal team as a key partner in strategic decision-making. Currently, we actively participate in the design and implementation of commercial, marketing and operational initiatives, contributing to a preventive vision, aimed at sustainability, efficiency and the generation of value for the company.

Building strong relationships with internal areas is based on trust, the use of clear, non-technical language, and a deep understanding of the business. In high-pressure scenarios, the legal team acts as a facilitator: they provide technical-legal knowledge for informed decision-making, prioritising effective solutions without compromising regulatory compliance or corporate reputation.

One of the main challenges for legal teams is balancing operational efficiency with proper risk management. Business areas require agile responses, but also well-founded ones. To address this duality, we have adopted legal tech tools for contract management, the monitoring of legal processes and compliance programs. We also promote the development of soft skills within the team, especially in effective communication, negotiation, multidisciplinary analysis and strategic vision, promoting a more comprehensive legal profile that is adaptable to the current challenges of the business environment.

Finally, sustainability and compliance are strategic pillars for the company, and the legal team has assumed a leading role in their implementation and supervision. We are integrating ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria into our internal policies, commercial agreements, and due diligence processes with third parties. From a legal standpoint, we not only ensure compliance with current environmental and ethical regulations, but also anticipate reputational and regulatory risks associated with operations. We participate by leading the updating of codes of conduct, anti-corruption frameworks, and responsible procurement policies. In this way, we contribute to making the company’s sustainable commitments solid, measurable, and legally viable, promoting a responsible and resilient business culture.