How long have you worked in consulting, and how did you get into the industry?
I graduated in 1995 with a Postgraduate Diploma in IT, but initially I didn’t pursue a career in technology, a decision (according to the statistics) that a lot of women with STEM degrees make. Instead, I got a training and administration role which helped me develop strong people and organisational skills. After three years, I needed a change. Two opportunities came up – one for a training manager position at a brewery and another for a testing consultancy in Preston. I had a diary clash and couldn’t make the brewery interview, so I accepted the consultancy role.
That choice set the course for my future career. And one I truly love. Consulting has allowed me to combine technical knowledge with strategic thinking, solve complex problems and work with incredible teams to deliver meaningful change for clients. Looking back, I’m grateful for that twist of diary fate – it led me to a profession where I can make a real difference.
What have your different roles taught you?
That’s a big question – and I couldn’t cover everything – but I’ll outline some key lessons learned. The first one is that you grow through adversity – the toughest times and failures teach you the most. They may feel painful and difficult at the time, but you’ll emerge better equipped to deal with whatever life throws at you. Another is to grab every opportunity that comes along – you never know what will happen. The importance of self-awareness is important too – knowing what you’re good at and what you’re less proficient at, so you can build the right support network. And finally, the knowledge that you can’t please everyone, but be kind and authentic – people value honesty and transparency.
What attracted you to Valcon as a company?
Valcon is at a really interesting juncture. When I joined in late summer, we were at the point of communicating our new vision, so it’s been the perfect time to come on board. The company has a very clear strategy, and this appealed to me. I’ve been so impressed by Valcon’s commitment to make its capabilities – and its people – AI native. The forward-thinking culture resonates with me. The plans for expansion are inspiring – it’s been exciting to join a company that Is not only growing but doing so with purpose and clarity.
What have you learned in your first 100 days?
Firstly, the reasons I joined Valcon have turned out to be right. When you join a new company, you never know what you’re going to get. But Valcon has lived up to what the exec team said it was – ambitious, collaborative, inclusive and supportive. In the first 100 days, I have spent a lot of time speaking to our people, Valcon leaders, my leadership team and clients. These chats have sparked countless ideas of what we can do. Of course, we can’t do everything at once, but the future is exciting. The important thing I have learned is what a fabulous team of people we have – I’ve never worked anywhere that’s made me feel so welcome. Already, I have a huge sense of belonging and loyalty to the Valcon team. The culture of openness and collaboration is really special.
What are your plans for Valcon UK in your first year at the company?
I’m very ambitious for Valcon, and my goal is to support our vision of becoming a European powerhouse in data and AI-driven business transformation, by building on our consulting, tech and data capability. For me, that means continuing to invest in our people and ensuring every service we offer is AI-enabled, so our clients get the best in innovation and value. To support our growing team, I plan to open additional hubs across the UK – our London HQ has a strong base, our talent is nationwide.
Another priority is making sure every client gets maximum value, good service and exceptional outcomes. We already do great work but there’s always room to raise the bar. For now, my focus is on organic growth and fundamental to that is raising brand awareness and letting people know we’re here. Ultimately my aim is simple – to be the number one trusted partner for all current and future customers.
What do you think are the big trends in consulting in the next few years?
The obvious answer is AI! But it’s not just the latest buzzword – it’s a catalyst for profound business and technology change. We are now moving from experimentation to full-scale enterprise integration, and we’ll start to see agentic AI become mainstream. These systems will underpin every business function, and they will start to unlock new operating models. And organisations will need to manage the rising costs and environmental footprint of large-scale AI platforms. Roles in governance, regulatory compliance and ethics will be vital and new roles will emerge. It’s important to remember AI will augment, not replace, existing jobs and professions. It will help boost productivity at a time when populations are ageing. The next five years will be defined by AI-driven transformation, sustainability imperatives and hyper automation, and the businesses that harness it effectively will be the ones who get ahead.
What would you say to the 16-year-old Laura?
I would say that everything will turn out ok – I lost my dad at 13 years old, which I found really tough, particularly being a daddy’s girl. My teenage years were hard going, due to this massive loss. It wasn’t just the emotional side – overnight, my family went from being financially ok to having to manage on one salary. But this tragedy shaped me – it gave me resilience, courage, a strong work ethic and drive. In many ways, it made me a stronger person than I might have been otherwise.
And what’s your New Year’s resolution?
To look after my physical health better in 2026 – it’s so important to be fit, not just from a physical perspective, but it’s vital for mental health too. It’s difficult when you travel a lot and spend a lot of time living out of a suitcase!
