Available to book

Speaker & professional services expert

Laura Empson

Effective Leadership

Leadership Development

Future of Work

Transform leadership dynamics with Laura Empson, speaker and professional services expert. Laura works with organisations to enhance governance, manage change, and develop effective leadership strategies, delivering research-backed insights trusted by Harvard, Cambridge, and global professional firms.

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Trusted by Thomson Reuters, Harvard, Cambridge

Laura Empson

Oxford, United Kingdom

Starting from

£11k–25k

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Book Prof. Laura

Oxford, United Kingdom

Starting from

£11k–25k

Send an email

loading@getapeptalk.com

Give us a call

+44 203 835 2929

Enquire Prof. Laura Now

Instant quote

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•

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Laura Empson's biography

Harvard University

Educator

Academic

Thought Leader

Business Leader

Author

At a glance

Professor of Management at Bayes Business School
Director of the Centre for Professional Service Firms
Research Fellow at Harvard Law School

Laura Empson is a Professor in the Management of Professional Service Firms at Bayes Business School, University of London, and Director of the Centre for Professional Service Firms. With 30 years of research funded by prestigious government awards, her work focuses on leadership, governance, organisational change, mergers, professional careers, diversity, partner evaluation, and the future of professional work. Laura aims to translate her academic findings for practitioners. In addition to her role at Bayes, she holds Research Fellowships at Harvard Law School and the University of Cambridge's Judge Business School. She advises leading professional organisations and serves as a non-executive director and governmental advisor. Since 2007, she has developed a strong interest in professional organisations, motivated by her experiences as an investment banker and strategy consultant, where she encountered poor leadership. This led her to explore why capable individuals often make unwise decisions. Laura remains intrigued by professional organisations, which often defy conventional management principles and thrive in complexity. She is dedicated to applying insights from her research to help these organisations and their employees tackle significant challenges.

Prof. Laura's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

Collective Leadership Systems

In her session, Laura Empson delves into the collective leadership ecosystem, addressing many professionals' reluctance to embrace leadership roles. Often, individuals believe leadership is confined to formal titles, viewing their primary responsibilities as serving clients and managing teams. Empson challenges this notion, exploring how leadership can thrive in such environments. Attendees will learn how to recognise their leadership purpose and foster a culture of shared leadership within their organisations.

Change Management - Navigating Growth

Laura Empson addresses the challenges of change management, highlighting the delicate balance between rapid growth and maintaining organisational integrity. Leaders often fear that exponential growth may jeopardise their success. Through her research, Empson presents a model that illustrates how firms evolve through various stages, where each crisis can catalyze transformation. Attendees will learn how to navigate these challenges and leverage opportunities for sustainable growth.

Future Of Work: The Generational Divide

Laura Empson highlights the profound changes in the professional landscape, where traditional norms are being questioned and new realities emerge. Leaders often express frustration with older colleagues resistant to change and younger professionals with differing values. This generational divide poses significant challenges for the future of work. Empson aims to equip attendees with insights into these challenges and strategies for fostering collaboration, ultimately preparing their organisations for an uncertain future.

Rebuilding Collective Culture and Purpose

In her session, Laura Empson will explore the importance of rebuilding collective culture within organisations. She will discuss how senior professionals can reconcile individual needs with those of the collective, fostering a thriving workplace in today’s evolving professional landscape. The pandemic has led many to reassess their connections with their organisations, prompting a reflection on the beliefs and behaviours that unite their communities. Attendees will learn strategies to strengthen their organisational culture and enhance collaboration.

Why we recommend booking Prof. Laura

Book Laura Empson to gain unparalleled insights into leadership and organisational change. Her extensive research and practical experience will empower your team to navigate complexity and ambiguity effectively, driving success in professional service firms.

Check Prof. Laura's availability

Trusted by Thomson Reuters, Harvard, Cambridge

Testimonials

Laura is one of a small handful of academics in the world who can speak with genuine authority and credibility about what makes professional service firms tick. Her ability to bring well-researched insights to relatable real-life issues and to speak about them in an inspirational way makes her an ideal choice for audiences of 'hard-to-impress' professionals.

Global Senior Partner, Law firm

Prof Empson's speech was excellent. It was not full of jargon or 'consultant' speak. Refreshingly honest. She understands our firm dynamics. Practical and directly applicable to the way we work with one another. I walked away with action points that will definitely change how I manage my practice and interact with colleagues and clients.

Partner, Law firm

Definitely the best speech I have ever heard at our partner conference.

Partner

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How do I book Laura Empson for my next event?

Email laura.empson@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience. As speaker agents, PepTalk can secure Laura Empson for commercial and corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity brand endorsements & partnerships, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about Laura Empson's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. Please note, for media interviews, autographs, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Laura Empson directly.

What is Laura Empson's speaking style like?

Laura delivers insightful, jargon-free presentations with authority and credibility. Her honest, practical approach resonates with professionals, offering actionable advice that inspires change and directly addresses real-world business challenges.

What topics does Laura Empson specialise in?

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