Key team members: Raquel Sofia Lemos, Soraia Almeida, Marta Taborda, Ana Paula Reis, Pedro Fortuna e Giovanni Cunha

Team size: Six

Jurisdictions your role covers: Portugal, Cape Verde, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, United Kingdom, France and Spain.

What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

Given that the Group is strongly committed to achieving carbon neutrality and entering new geographies/new markets, I would say that what has occupied Legal the most are contracts associated with investment, both within and outside the country.

What factors influence your team’s decision to use external legal services versus handling matters in-house, and what criteria are used to evaluate their performance?

We use external services whenever the complexity, specificity, or impact justifies it. In this case, 97% of our outsourcing work consists of sponsoring Cimpor’s litigation. More than just performance assessment (which is considered established), I guide, monitor and track outsourcing performance.

How does your team contribute to the overall business strategy of the company? Can you share an example of a recent legal-led initiative that had a significant impact?

I serve as a member of Cimpor’s management committee, where I contribute to the company’s overall strategic direction and decision-making processes. In parallel, I lead a legal team that provides day-to-day support across Cimpor’s business operations. This includes advising on corporate, commercial, regulatory, and compliance matters, as well as ensuring that legal considerations are fully integrated into the company’s activities and long-term objectives.

What are some of the biggest legal or regulatory challenges currently facing your industry, and how is your team preparing to address them?

Reducing CO2 emissions is one of the issues that impacts Cimpor’s industrial activity. Legislative and regulatory changes in compliance are increasingly taking up Legal’s day-to-day activities.

How do you approach talent development and knowledge sharing within your legal team? Are there any specific practices or programmes in place?

Training is a key indicator of our team’s commitment to growth and excellence. The initiative often starts with the team itself, which actively seeks out opportunities to develop new skills and stay current with industry trends. This proactive approach is fully supported by management, which plays a crucial role in creating the right conditions—whether through resources, time allocation, or access to relevant programs—to ensure that continuous learning is both encouraged and achievable.