Team size: 6

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

I have been working across business functions, managing and integrating acquisitions and setting up employment law, IT, compliance and commercial contracts frameworks consistent with our global approach. I oversaw the acquisition and integration of two companies in Australia, and the integration of an IT services business in Ukraine, acquired shortly before the invasion and commencement of the current war. We took measures to enable continued operation of that business through a government-sponsored scheme to aid contractors in the IT industry.

I have also been involved in the restructuring of our established legal functions in Spain and Latin America to align more closely with the business.

We have adopted contract management tools. To more effectively address internal client needs and further assist integration, the UST internally-developed CMS was extended across the regions.

As SME, I have led various AI and data privacy initiatives, updating policies, processes, DPA templates, privacy notices, and incident response.

I have advised our HR and business operations on TUPE projects in the UK and across Europe.

I am also involved in the reviewing of our Europe external counsel panel, identifying and engaging firms most suited to UST’s requirements, and finding resources for new jurisdictions.

Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting?

Advising companies during periods of extreme business crisis led to some of my most notable achievements while learning to adapt. I experienced the “dot com bubble” bursting while at the tech company whose results were said to trigger it. I had been hired in part to support EMEA M&A expansion and integration. Instead of acquiring, we pivoted to divesting entities in Europe and finding ways to generate value, as well as avoiding further losses of jobs.

As CLO for a US-listed global automotive OEM based in Brussels, I helped navigate the 2008-9 financial crisis. The company’s viability was threatened by a 60% drop in revenue, as well as an EC cartel fine estimated to be – worst case – nearly equal to that revenue. The lead firm I chose, following an extensive selection process with 17 contenders, applied the strategy we jointly researched and agreed on, eventually succeeding in winning a historic refund of about two thirds, equal to €205m.

As Compliance Counsel for a global UK PLC, I was given the opportunity to implement an ABC (Anti-Bribery and Corruption) program to comply with the UK Bribery Act. This involved going onsite to locations in sometimes remote locations in China, Malaysia, Germany, Turkey, Argentina and seven African countries to assess risk and provide training, which had great impact on the organisation. The changes were tangible and led to improved business conditions and reputation. The program was successfully validated and audited by external counsel.

What strategies do you employ to ensure the successful digital transformation of a legal department while maintaining compliance with your country’s data protection laws?

I joined UST, a digital transformation company, in part to be able to apply the deep knowledge in this area of law acquired as privacy counsel and GC in prior roles, and o tcontinue to learn. This begins with working with key teams: DPO, information security, legal operations, contracts, finance, HR. We seek to implement and evaluate novel AI tools and systems, whether it is a new or existing CMS, AI legal review tool, HR tool, or electronic signature system, assessing risks and drafting DPAs. We regularly review global, national and US state law privacy requirements, the EU AI Act and other key regulatory developments.

What is a cause, business or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

I am passionate about data privacy and AI and finding the balance to guide organisational conduct while enabling business growth. Privacy law is becoming more important and relevant, with AI advancing and the global trend to regulate, often following the models set by GDPR in UK/EU and CCPA in California. I enjoy helping businesses use technology, inclusive of AI, to implement process improvements and understand what is needed to be able to mitigate risks and avoid liability. I also enjoy the challenge currently posed by AI that humanity must meet head on. I am fortunate to work for a forward-thinking company that has made integrating AI part of its business model.

In all areas of legal work, including acquisitions and employment matters across many jurisdictions, I gain satisfaction from educating and communicating the need to adapt behaviour and improve processes within a company and seeing the resulting positive effect on the business and its reputation, and its people.