Get to know Lourdes
It’s just after 1.30pm on a warm autumn afternoon in our Madrid office. Lourdes waves to a colleague walking past her window and apologises for being a few minutes late – it’s been a typically busy day.
Tell us about your role
In a nutshell, my role is to help DS Smith achieve its strategic goals across France, Italy, Portugal and Spain. That is to be the leading global supplier of sustainable packaging solutions, become a trusted and strategic partner to our customers and provide innovative packaging solutions for all their needs. A big part of that is making things happen - in the way we say, and within the timeframes and resources we specify. Plus, if I see an opportunity for growth, improvement or profitability, it’s also my responsibility to make sure we invest in the right resources to make it happen.
Tell us about your team
I work with several amazing teams across southern Europe, both within the packaging division and the whole DS Smith group. Our finance teams are passionate, understand our business and have a desire to deliver results. I also work closely with the Managing Director for our region and ambitious and result-driven colleagues in sales, operations and HR. Together we are supporting each other and achieving results. I’m lucky to have so many different, talented people around me!
![Lourdes with her team, Miles Roberts, our CEO, and Stefano Rossi, our Packaging CEO](/contentassets/64c327a444434a9584ae3fbe7f5a5ab5/lourdes-office-2.jpg?w=1554&h=545&mode=crop&scale=both&quality=70)
The manufacturing industry is traditionally male dominated. What is it like at DS Smith?
It’s true historically, but I see that changing. At the end of the day, we are all people. Being a woman in a traditionally male dominated industry is hard, but it can also be an advantage. I’ve always felt my opinion is carefully considered because I bring a different perspective. Not just because I may sometimes be the only woman in a meeting, but also because I’m from Argentina, and non-European. I’ve had opportunities to participate in several internal and external initiatives, including an event in Madrid to encourage young women to overcome gender bias, and as a role model for other female colleagues. These are the things I enjoy the most.
![Lourdes with her South Europe leadership team](/contentassets/8b50d8171ce54f868c6549f614ca2a0b/lourdes-team-photo.jpg?w=1600&h=900&mode=crop&scale=both&quality=70)
How do you find the work/life balance?
It’s one of the things I really like about DS Smith. We work hard but the balance is positive. I have a young family but I’ve always been supported and given any time I needed. I believe in the personal touch so I do travel a lot so I can meet as many of my team as I can. This affects me a little but, of course, that comes with the job I choose to do.
Tell us one thing you think DS Smith is really good at
For such a big company we have been able to retain the competitive edge that helped us to grow - primarily due to our significant flexibility and speed of response. I believe this has played a major part in allowing us to navigate all the turbulence and change of the last few years so successfully.