It often starts with a feeling. You receive a valuable gift from a supplier, or you see a colleague in a dangerous situation because they lack personal protective equipment – and a little voice in your head says, “Wait… is this OK?”
That voice? That’s compliance in action.
At KAEFER, compliance is not about ticking boxes – it’s about earning trust, protecting our people and doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. It’s about making values visible. And it’s driven by people who live those values every day.
Around the world, our Local Compliance Officers (LCOs) face different laws, customs and realities. And while the principles remain constant, the way we bring them to life depends on the people behind them. Our LCOs are not just interpreters of the rules – they are culture shapers. With empathy, resilience and a deep sense of purpose, they translate our global Code of Business Conduct into local action.
Let’s meet the people who make compliance human – and a lot more powerful.
Brazil: Balancing warmth with vigilance
In Brazil, the informal warmth that defines everyday life is often at odds with formal rules. But for Raquel de Almeida, KAEFER Teckma’s LCO, this isn’t a problem – it’s an opportunity.
“Shortcuts are part of the culture here. The ‘jeitinho brasileiro’ is often seen as clever, but integrity isn’t about finding loopholes – it’s about long-term respect. That’s why our role is to make ethics more relatable – something people can understand and embrace, not fear.”
Raquel brings decades of experience in HR and internal audit, shaped by frameworks such as COSO and SOX. But her real strength? Courage. Years ago, she uncovered an internal theft ring at a previous company. Despite threats and pressure to stay silent, she led the investigation with calm determination.
“I didn’t want to be a hero. I just knew I had to do the right thing.”
At KAEFER, Raquel now uses that same courage to foster a workplace culture based on ethics – ranging from mandatory induction training to open forums where people are encouraged to ask tough questions. She’s turning Brazil’s cultural tendency for ‘jeitinho’ into an open dialogue, and the change is happening: “People used to avoid me. Now they come to me before making a difficult decision. That’s progress.”
And of course, she doesn’t do it alone. Directors, project managers and HR partners all contribute to creating what she calls “a safe space for honesty”. Together, they ensure that compliance isn’t just a box to tick, but a value to live by.
Middle East: Navigating complexity with clarity
The Middle East region spans six countries, more than 9,000 employees and ever-changing legislation. From tax reforms to evolving environmental standards, the LCO here, Alexander Werle, is constantly on his toes.
“The key is communication,” he says. “If we stay connected and transparent, we stay compliant.”
As CFO of KAEFER Middle East, Alexander is also the Local Compliance Officer. When we took up the role three years ago, he quickly discovered that regulations often differ from actual local practices, and that bridging the gap requires diplomacy, clarity and trust.
In one of his first whistleblowing cases, Alexander drove 3.5 hours to investigate – and uncovered a dispute over oily masala. “It sounds funny now, but it was a turning point,” he says. “People were testing the system. That meant they were committed.”
He responded by teaching teams how to raise valid, constructive concerns. Today, reports are fewer – but much more actionable. “The message is clear: your voice matters, but so does accountability.”
From country managers to HSE leaders, Alexander’s compliance efforts are supported by people who believe in doing the right thing. Across the region, the team has improved many core processes through digitisation – introducing tools such as SAP, ESKER, SRM, MobileExpense and automated timesheet processing. These developments have increased efficiency, transparency and control across the board, even if they aren’t solely compliance-driven. Looking ahead, the team is exploring more targeted compliance tools, such as apps for policies and employee training. “We’re not chasing perfection,” says Alexander. „We’re building trust.“
Germany: Humanising rules
With GDPR, labour laws, works councils and Anti-Trust laws, Germany may be one of the toughest compliance landscapes around. But our LCO, Alexander Kling, sees it not as a jungle but as a garden. “Yes, there are a lot of rules,” he laughs, “but they’re there to protect us. My job is to make them accessible.”
Alexander is a familiar face at all KAEFER sites. He travels around, holding workshops, talking to teams and making sure that compliance feels human. During a recent foreman training session, compliance was expected to be the most boring topic of the day. Instead, people left saying they’d laughed the most – and learned the most.
Alexander’s background in the field gives him instant credibility. People know he understands the pressures of projects, the rhythm of daily operations. That trust makes all the difference.
He often compares the Code of Business Conduct to a family’s house rules: “They may seem strict at times, but they’re really there to protect what we all value – each other.”
APAC: One region, many realities
Spanning Australia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, Melizza Wong’s world as Compliance Officer is multilingual, multi-jurisdictional and constantly on the move.
“Every day, I screen customers, suppliers and new hires. And every quarter, we go deeper – auditing processes, monitoring compliance, and making sure our people are aligned with our values.”
To raise awareness, Melizza’s team has produced introductory compliance videos in eight languages. “It’s about making compliance relatable, whether you’re in a corporate office or on a construction site.”
Gift-giving, for example, is a cherished tradition in many Southeast Asian cultures, so the local team relies on local anti-corruption guidelines that are aligned with KAEFER’s values. “It’s a fine line to walk,” she admits, “but mutual respect is part of who we are. Even with hierarchical norms, our people show every day that respect and integrity can go hand in hand.”
After graduating from law school, Melizza found her passion not in the courtroom, but in the corporate world – where doing the right thing is less about argument and more about action. Her first role at Toshiba introduced her to compliance, and it quickly became clear that this was where she could make a real difference. Now, after two years with KAEFER, she’s continuing that journey with purpose and pride.
Her proudest moment so far? Achieving 100% compliance training completion in SEA and 99% across APAC. “It shows that people really do see compliance as critical to our success. We build trust not only with our customers and suppliers, but also with each other.”
One mission, many voices
Our Local Compliance Officers navigate different cultures, laws and languages, but they share a common approach: meeting people where they are. Listening. Educating. Empowering.
Their message is simple and powerful: Integrity builds reliability. And reliability is one of the foundations of KAEFER.
Compliance isn’t just about policies – it’s about people. People who speak up. People who care. People who lead by values, not just by rules. Doing the right thing makes us better – at work and in life.
So, the next time you pause to consider the right course of action, take a moment to reflect. That’s compliance in motion. That’s the KAEFER way.
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