“I often apply a “green, amber, red” framework or what I call the “Daily Mail test”: if this decision were on the front page tomorrow, how would it reflect on us?”

An interview with Zaheed Hussein, Group General Counsel & Company Secretary (for trading subsidiaries) at Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) in UK. 

What are the biggest external forces or trends currently shaping your role as General Counsel and how are you responding to them? 

Politics and geopolitics are increasingly influential in shaping the GC role whether through regulatory shifts, trade policies, or broader socio-political movements. My approach is to take a long-term, strategic view: understanding the broader implications of these developments before advising the business. For example, when assessing the impact of tariffs, I consider not just the immediate legal implications but also the potential reputational and operational consequences over time. 
 
How are you balancing the increasing demands of legal risk management with the expectation to drive business value and strategic insight? 
 
It starts with understanding the organisation’s risk appetite particularly within the regulatory boundaries of our operations. As a charity, reputation and stakeholder trust are paramount. I often apply a “green, amber, red” framework or what I call the “Daily Mail test”: if this decision were on the front page tomorrow, how would it reflect on us? This helps frame legal advice in a way that supports both compliance and strategic decision-making. 
 
What’s one lesson or insight from your in-house journey that you wish you’d known earlier and would share with a fellow GC today? 
 
Build relationships across the organisation – internally and externally – regardless of role or whether someone is a direct client of legal. Everyone brings unique experiences and perspectives that can enrich your understanding and approach. While lawyer-to-lawyer discussions are valuable, broader insights often come from unexpected places. And since a GC can’t be everywhere, strong relationships help extend the reach of the legal function, enabling others to act as your eyes and ears across the business.