More than half of respondents (54%) report that they have a seat on the board, or equivalent, while sixty percent now routinely advise the board on business strategy.
More than half (51%) of legal decision-makers say sudden changes to regulatory policy are either challenging or extremely challenging.
More than nine in 10 (94%) legal decision-makers occasionally or regularly assess ESG risk and compliance within their role. Eighty percent expect ESG considerations to become more important to their role in 2022.
The top three most pressing risk and compliance issues that legal decision-makers need to address in 2022 are new financial standards and taxation, changing ownership regulations and new health and employee welfare/employment standards.
More than four out of 10 (43%) legal decision-makers say their companies are planning to increase future investment in the growth of their company, with 35% holding investment firm.
Of the legal decision-makers surveyed who are looking to enter new geographies, 81% are looking to expand their operations in Africa. Almost half (46%) are looking to expand their investment in Southern Africa, 19% in East Africa, 18% in Central Africa, 16% in West Africa and 3% in North Africa.
Nearly half (48%) of the legal decision-makers we surveyed increased their investment in digital capabilities in 2021 compared to the year before. More than two-thirds (69%) see business model innovation as important, while four out of 10 (39%) see innovation as core to their business.
Please note: Throughout, totals may not equal 100% due to rounding
