Latest / Difference Makers Podcast / Young Difference Makers: Laura Mason on aligning purpose and performance to ensure that profit fuels justice
Transcript
- 0:00Laura Mason: My advice to young professionals who are looking to make a positive change in their community is to start by identifying the intersection between what you care about and what you're good at.
- 0:09Laura Mason: So positive change doesn't always come from grand gestures.
- 0:12Laura Mason: It often begins with using your skills to solve real problems in your own environment.
- 0:18Laura Mason: Hello, I'm Laura Mason.
- 0:25Laura Mason: I'm representing the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, and I'm a chartered accountant working for Grant Thornton in financial modelling and data analytics for public services.
- 0:37Laura Mason: But much of it felt a lot like corporate jargon without substance.
- 1:16Laura Mason: And I wanted to go deeper.
- 1:18Laura Mason: I was genuinely intrigued by how businesses operated, but I also knew that I wanted my work to have public impact.
- 1:25Laura Mason: That's what led me to pursue chartered accountancy and ultimately specialise in financial modelling and data analytics within public services consulting at Grant Thornton.
- 1:35Laura Mason: Today I work on large-scale public sector projects that shape the infrastructure and services that people rely on every day.
- 1:43Laura Mason: So from transport systems like the DLR or the Elizabeth line to energy and waste initiatives aligned with net zero goals, I use technical skills to help to deliver value-for-money outcome and drive innovations in public procurement.
- 1:57Laura Mason: So to conclude, I'd say that becoming a chartered accountant gave me the tools to translate complex financial data into meaningful insights and to make a real difference into how public funds are spent and services delivered.
- 2:11Laura Mason: So I'd say I'm making a difference in my community and my profession in different ways because, as part of my role at Grant Thornton, well, on top of my normal duties as a financial modeler and uh data analytics person, I also serve on the sustainability leadership group, where we recently celebrated a milestone of 20,000 volunteering hours for the year, uh, which is an achievement that reflects our collective commitment to purpose beyond profit through Grand Thornton.
- 2:48Laura Mason: I also coached unemployed women back into the workforce.
- 2:51Laura Mason: But then outside of my work at Grant Thornton, I also have personal contributions that extend from this platform into global advocacy.
- 3:01Laura Mason: For example, I acted as a young ocean advocate, uh championing maritime sustainability at forums such as the UNESCO Summer School, the EU Maritime Day, and the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon.
- 3:18Laura Mason: As an ICAS chartered accountant, uh I'm also a chartered management consultant and I graduated from Oxford University.
- 3:26Laura Mason: So I believe in using data with purpose, and my work in financial modelling and analytics in public services is grounded in this ethos.
- 3:34Laura Mason: So I work on multi-billion pound transport contracts and design funding for models that result in huge million pound impact projects.
- 3:45Laura Mason: But I'd say my influence goes beyond the spreadsheets.
- 3:49Laura Mason: So I also write thought leadership articles on electric vehicles, AI and financial modelling, or contribute to podcasts.
- 3:56Laura Mason: So we have a series of podcasts that are coming out on devolution, the future of entry-level jobs in an AI world, and data-driven public transport solutions.
- 4:06Laura Mason: So I'd say that social innovation is another passion of mine.
- 4:10Laura Mason: I co-designed an app to help new UK arrivals access council services via multilingual offline capable chatbot.
- 4:18Laura Mason: I'm also now developing a mental health chatbot to help improve access to care through faster triage and treatment pathways.
- 4:26Laura Mason: I'm also a younger member of Chatham House and have contributed to Global Policy Dialogue and the UN Women UK Conference as well as the Doha Forum.
- 4:37Laura Mason: So I've been on international international conference trying to raise the profile of young leaders in global advocacy.
- 4:49Laura Mason: And I've I've also been a fundraising trustee for three years where I've helped to raise £500,000, but not only in this role, in combining other roles for charity supporting children, health, and education.
- 5:02Laura Mason: And for ICAS, I'm on the London Area Network representing ICAS where I advocate for inclusive link leadership and fresh thinking in the profession.
- 5:12Laura Mason: So I'd say that for me, finance is a toolkit but changes the goal.
- 5:16Laura Mason: If I had to choose a standout moment and it's hard to choose just one moment, I'd say that being in the presence of people like Terry Cruz, Sir Bob Geldorf, Queen Rania of Jordan, and the UN food program leader David Beasley was extraordinary.
- 6:00Laura Mason: But what truly stood out to me was the courage that they embodied.
- 6:05Laura Mason: So David Beasley in particular left a lasting impression on me.
- 6:09Laura Mason: I heard about how he risked his life to deliver food through areas of conflict, negotiating with powerful leaders to reach those in need.
- 6:18Laura Mason: And I was deeply humbled that one man could have such an impact on millions of people.
- 6:24Laura Mason: And if I take that to the rest of the speakers, it's all true that all these individuals could have stayed in their comfort zones, they could have continued to have successful careers without making themselves vulnerable and stepping up into danger or controversy.
- 6:42Laura Mason: But instead they chose to become powerful voices for others.
- 6:45Laura Mason: They used their platforms to advocate for justice, for equity, and more humanity.
- 6:50Laura Mason: That kind of leadership, which is rooted in service and sacrifice and conviction, is what inspired me the most.
- 6:57Laura Mason: It reminded me that real impact is often required when stepping outside the line and speaking up and standing firm even when it's hard.
- 7:06Laura Mason: How I plan to apply the lessons from the summit to my work is through the transformative ideas that I've heard.
- 7:18Laura Mason: And one of the most transformative insights that I gained from the summit was the idea of using business to amplify impact.
- 7:25Laura Mason: It's not just about doing good, it's about making a compelling business case for doing good to amplify and scale change.
- 7:32Laura Mason: So as someone who works in financial services, as a chartered accountant, I know that cash is king, so we need a business case to make profit viable because otherwise change will be smaller in scale.
- 7:46Laura Mason: I think that profit isn't necessarily a selfish driver, it's also something that amplifies impact.
- 7:54Laura Mason: And whether that's in sustainability, equity, or innovation, I think the most effective change happens when purpose aligns with performance.
- 8:02Laura Mason: And in the realm of artificial intelligence, for example, I learned that reskilling an employee can save $49,000 compared to hiring externally.
- 8:13Laura Mason: Which means that it's profitable for companies to actually teach their task force how to use AI rather than hire someone who's already competent.
- 8:22Laura Mason: They'll save a lot of money, the saving is there, and that would prevent a lot of hardship that comes from making someone redundant, for example.
- 8:30Laura Mason: And that's not just a social good, it's a strategic advantage.
- 8:34Laura Mason: Similarly, for energy efficiency, it's not just about climate goals, it's about directly reducing operational costs through energy savings, making sustainability a smart financial decision.
- 8:47Laura Mason: And these lessons have reshaped how I approach my work in public services consulting at Grant Thornton.
- 8:53Laura Mason: I'll try to embed this impact into the core of the finance strategy project that I work on.
- 8:58Laura Mason: I'll try to highlight how investments in people and the planet and innovation can drive long-term value.
- 9:05Laura Mason: And whether it's designing procurement strategies or building funding models, I'll aim to show that doing the right thing is also doing the smart thing.
- 9:13Laura Mason: In 10 years' time, I will try to continue to make an impact.
- 9:24Laura Mason: I see myself leading transformative projects that sit at the intersection of finance, technology, and public services.
- 9:34Laura Mason: I want to continue using data and financial modelling to shape systems that deliver real-world impact.
- 9:40Laura Mason: Whether that's improving transport infrastructure, accelerating the energy transition, or designing funding models that unlock investment in mental health and climate resilience.
- 9:51Laura Mason: I envision myself championing ethical AI and inclusive innovation, building tools that make public sector decision making more transparent and responsive.
- 10:00Laura Mason: I also hope to mentor the next generation of change makers, helping them seize finance not just as a technical skill, but as a powerful toolkit for social progress.
- 10:10Laura Mason: So ultimately, I want to keep proving that performance and purpose can and should go hand in hand.
- 10:15Laura Mason: So positive change doesn't always come from grand gestures.
- 10:34Laura Mason: It often begins with using your skills to solve real problems in your own environment.
- 10:39Laura Mason: Whether you're a data analyst or an accountant or even an engineer, your expertise can often be a powerful tool for impact when applied with purpose.
- 10:49Laura Mason: Don't wait for permission or perfection.
- 10:51Laura Mason: Start small, test ideas, and build momentum.
- 10:55Laura Mason: I also think that collaboration is key.
- 10:58Laura Mason: Some of the most meaningful change happens when diverse minds come together.
- 11:02Laura Mason: And it's also about communicating.
- 11:05Laura Mason: You should always show how doing good can drive value.
- 11:08Laura Mason: And if you can make your case, you'll bring others along with you.
- 11:12Laura Mason: And I'd say most importantly, you can stay curious and stay committed because change takes time, but your voice and action matters more than anything.
- 11:22Laura Mason: Going forward, I'll carry this mindset into my work, whether it's building a financial strategy for public services or designing tools for social innovation or mentoring future change makers.
- 11:33Laura Mason: I want to keep asking how I can use my skills and my platform and my voice to create space for others and try to drive meaningful change.
- 11:42Laura Mason: One Young World has reminded me that the answer often lies in stepping up, even when it's uncomfortable, as well as leading with purpose.