Leading with empathy

Louise has been the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of PwC’s Global Sustainability team for thirteen years, as part of a flourishing career with PwC spanning more than three decades. During her time as COO, the Sustainability network has grown from around 300 people to more than 10,000. That doesn’t even include the thousands of sustainability specialists working in PwC’s other divisions, as PwC works to embed sustainability in everything it does.

Given Louise’s impressive track record in professional services, it might surprise people to learn that she initially had her heart set on a different industry altogether. She originally studied hotel management and wanted to work in that field. Her university course included a year in industry, and during that time she decided that since she had a natural flair for mathematics, she’d be better off working on the finance side of the hotel business. This led her to join PwC UK and train as a chartered accountant. After starting work in audit, Louise realised that wasn’t quite the right fit for her, but she really enjoyed PwC’s culture and decided she wanted to stay but explore something new. This involved a move from Audit into PwC UK’s tax practice, and then an international secondment to PwC Australia. Back home in the UK, she spent the next decade working in the corporate finance division, specialising in the food sector.

Her flair for trying new things continued, and Louise took on a temporary cover role supporting the UK Advisory line of service leader. That role became permanent and she stayed to continue supporting him on the “One Advisory” strategy for the UK firm and their working relationship continued to grow and evolve. When he was elected as the Territory Senior Partner (Chair) of PwC UK back in 2008, he asked her to support him as his Chief of Staff – a position she held for three years. It was during this time that Louise participated in PwC UK’s Advisory Womens’ Leadership Programme, through which she gained valuable skills and connections.

Next came Louise’s first experience working in sustainability as she became project manager for The Fire Station – a Grade II-listed building from 1879 whose use was included in the lease for PwC UK’s nearby offices close to London Bridge. Working in partnership with other organisations, PwC UK transformed the derelict site into a social enterprise hub housing the Brigade bar and bistro (PDF)Opens in a new window that provides apprenticeships and qualifications to help homeless people back into work. This ambitious initiative brought together Louise’s hospitality background, project management skills and corporate finance expertise. It also piqued her interest in social enterprises, as she loved knowing that her work was having such a positive impact on the homeless community. Inspired, she decided to make the move to PwC’s Global Sustainability team.

That was in 2011, when sustainability was beginning its ascent up the corporate agenda. It became much more of a mainstream corporate issue in 2015, following the ratification by all 193 United Nations member states of both the Paris Agreement on climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals. Almost overnight, sustainability started becoming a top priority for organisations across the world. Since joining PwC’s Global Sustainability team, Louise has significantly expanded the team in both size and scope. The network now supports clients across a wide range of areas, including climate change, nature, social enterprise and just transition (working to make sure that people aren’t adversely affected by efforts to meet net-zero targets).

Louise believes in the blend of strong but compassionate leadership. She’s highly conscious that people are more than their jobs. And she’s acutely aware that some people on her team may have caring responsibilities outside work. She’s keen to offer the same wonderful support that she benefited from during her career, and prides herself on aiming to be a role model for many people across the PwC network.

Outside work, Louise’s life is entering a new chapter, as she’s recently become an empty-nester during university term time. She’s seized the opportunity to take up golf again. She also enjoys watersports such as kayaking and paddleboarding, as well as going for walks with her dog. Additionally, Louise contributes to good causes outside her work as well as within it. Every year, she raises money for a bowel cancer charity by doing a 100km walk in memory of her brother. And she’s involved in organising a large event for the Sport Beats Cancer initiative on behalf of Cancer Research UK.

It's safe to say that Louise is working hard to change the world for good. And she’s having a remarkable impact.

1. From your experience, how do you sum up Inclusion & Diversity at PwC?

We recognise that everyone has an opinion based on their different life experiences and backgrounds and make sure we allow that to be heard and taken into account.

2. What should others know about PwC’s commitment to Inclusion and Diversity?

Our commitment in this area is longstanding and steadfast.