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Keynote SpeakerLaura Empson

Academic, Speaker, Advisor: Leadership in Professional Service Firms

Laura Empson is Professor in the Management of Professional Service Firms at Bayes Business School, University of London, and holds Research Fellowships at both Harvard Law School and the University of Cambridge. She has dedicated 30 years to researching professionals, professionals, and the professions, and is a globally recognised expert... Read more

Watch Laura Empson in action

Popular Talks by Laura Empson

  • Collective leadership: Understanding the leadership ecosystem in professional organizations
  • Power of partnership: Realising organizational and individual potential
  • Leadership and culture: Reinvigorating professionals and their organizations
  • Governance of professionals: Growing and growing up
  • Future of professional work: Leading collectively through uncertainty

Biography

Laura Empson is Professor in the Management of Professional Service Firms at Bayes Business School, University of London, and holds Research Fellowships at both Harvard Law School and the University of Cambridge.

She has dedicated 30 years to researching professionals, professionals, and the professions, and is a globally recognised expert in their leadership and governance. Her research also explores organisational and cultural change; growth and leadership transitions; mergers and acquisitions; professional careers; partner evaluation and reward systems; and the future of professional work.

Her research has been funded by a series of prestigious awards from the EU and UK government. Laura Empson has been nominated for The Thinkers 50 Leadership Award for her research on collective leadership.

In addition to dozens of publications in leading academic journals, she has published several books with Oxford University Press – her first was Managing the Modern Law Firm (2007) and her latest is Leading Professionals: Power, Politics, and Prima Donnas (reprinted in paperback, 2022). She writes regularly for Harvard Business Review and presents the podcast series, Leading Professional People.

Laura Empson advises many of the world’s leading law, accounting, and consulting firms. From 2013 to 2016 she served on the Board of KPMG LLP (becoming Chair of the Independent Non-Executives).

She was previously Associate Professor at the University of Oxford. Before becoming an academic, Laura worked as an investment banker and strategy consultant. She has a PhD and MBA from London Business School.

Ready to invite Laura Empson to your event?

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What clients say about Laura Empson

“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
“Definitely the best speech I have ever heard at our partner conference.” Partner, Big Four firm
“All of our partners were highly impressed with your ability to quickly grasp our somewhat unique leadership dynamics, the values that bind us together and the risks that we face going forward. Thank you for your insightful work.” CEO (EMEA), Consulting firm
“Prof Empson's speech was excellent. 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, International law firm
“I have been particularly impressed by your ability to get ‘under the skin’ of our firm, to identify some of the peculiarities of our leadership dynamics, governance structure, and organizational culture. You have brought a highly original and perceptive insight into some particularly complex problems.” Managing Partner, Big Four firm
“All of our partners were highly impressed with your ability to quickly grasp our somewhat unique leadership dynamics, the values that bind us together and the risks that we face going forward. Thank you for your insightful work.” CEO (EMEA), Consulting firm

How to book Laura Empson as a keynote speaker

How do I book Laura Empson for a keynote speech?

You can book Laura Empson through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Laura's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.

What are Laura Empson's speaking fees?

Laura Empson's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Laura tailored to your event.

What topics does Laura Empson speak about?

Laura Empson speaks on Business & Management, Future of Work, Leadership, Leadership & Motivation, Organisation. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Laura to align the content with your delegates and goals.

Is Laura Empson available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book Laura Empson for events worldwide, subject to Laura's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.

Does Laura Empson deliver virtual or online keynotes?

Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Laura Empson is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).

How long is a typical keynote by Laura Empson?

Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Laura can accommodate.

Can Laura Empson tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?

London Speaker Bureau will brief Laura Empson on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Laura can offer.

What languages does Laura Empson present in?

Laura Empson delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.

What makes Laura Empson a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

Laura Empson's areas of expertise include Business & Management, Future of Work, Leadership, Leadership & Motivation, Organisation. To get a clear sense of Laura's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.

What kind of events can Laura Empson speak at?

Laura Empson can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Business & Management, Future of Work, Leadership, Leadership & Motivation, Organisation is relevant. Details of Laura's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.

Does Laura Empson offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?

Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Laura Empson is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

How far in advance should we book Laura Empson?

We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Laura Empson, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Laura's current availability for your dates.