Beyond regulatory compliance, integrity and transparency strengthen trust

Leaders League:   As Vivofácil’s chief legal officer, what would you say are the most critical priorities today in terms of compliance and risk management in the home help sector in Spain?

Patricia Toral Jaramillo: In recent years, compliance and risk management have become a strategic pillar within the sector in Spain. Today, one of the most critical priorities is to have robust due diligence processes that allow companies to gain a deep understanding of partners, suppliers and third parties, as well as clear action protocols aligned with corporate values and with demanding standards of social responsibility and business ethics. This is compounded by the need to consolidate an internal culture of compliance that goes beyond the mere existence of policies or one-off training initiatives and is instead grounded in a genuine and visible commitment from senior management. When leadership acts with consistency ‒ and by example ‒ compliance ceases to be perceived as a bureaucratic burden and becomes a driver of trust and sustainable growth.

At Vivofácil, we understand that integrity and transparency not only protect the organization but also strengthen the trust of clients and collaborators. For this reason, we promote relationships based on social responsibility, regulatory compliance and best practices.

In an increasingly demanding regulatory environment, what strategies do you consider key to ensuring that a compliance program is truly preventive and not merely reactive?

A compliance program is truly preventive when it is naturally integrated into business management and does not merely react to incidents once they have already occurred. This requires starting with a dynamic, data-driven risk analysis, embedding compliance into key decision-making processes, fostering an ethical culture driven by senior management and providing practical training tailored to the specific risks of each department. Leveraging technology and early detection mechanisms also makes it possible to anticipate deviations and act before they materialize, turning compliance into a tool that shapes behavior and delivers real value.

When leadership acts with consistency and by example, compliance delivers real value to the business

What risks in terms of personal data protection do you consider most critical for companies such as Vivofácil, especially as regards handling sensitive information?

When it comes to personal data protection, particularly in the processing of sensitive information, the main risk lies in a lack of anticipation. For this reason, our approach is grounded in prevention as a guiding principle. Having a living risk map that is regularly updated and reviewed, together with ongoing training programs and effective internal communication channels, enables employees to identify and manage risks at an early stage. It is also essential that the compliance team operates autonomously and has the necessary resources to respond immediately to any incident and minimize its impact.

What regulatory or compliance trends do you think will have the greatest impact on corporate strategy at Spanish companies in 2026?

The regulatory environment will be deeply shaped by the advance of artificial intelligence and digitalization. The European Union is driving new regulations in areas such as cybersecurity, transparency, algorithmic governance and the evolution of the GDPR, alongside the consolidation of remote work and stronger protection of employees’ digital rights. These trends will require Spanish companies to strengthen their ability to adapt and anticipate change, integrating compliance as a core element of their corporate strategy in an increasingly complex and sophisticated context.