From Corporate Law to Board Leadership, Reflecting on Resilience and #GiveToGain

Laura Ryan leads Legal and Risk for OCS across the UK and Ireland. She joined the business in 2016, after 10 years in private practice as a corporate lawyer. What began as an opportunity to establish an in-house legal function has evolved into a board-level role with responsibility for Legal, Risk, Compliance, QHSE and Sustainability. 

Laura studied law, completed her professional training in 2007, and qualified into corporate law at a time when the sector was still heavily male dominated. Her career now spans almost 20 years, split between private practice and in-house leadership. On International Women’s Day 2026, she reflects on resilience, leadership and what this year’s theme, #GiveToGain, means in practice.

Early Ambition and the Realities of Corporate Law

Laura knew from an early age that she wanted to become a lawyer. As her career developed, corporate law appealed because of its intellectual challenge and the commercial environment it sits within. She was drawn to problem solving, negotiation and high-stakes decision-making. 

Her early experience reflected the realities of the profession at the time. Most of her colleagues and customers were male, and there were few senior women to look to for affirmation that a different leadership style could succeed. 

Without visible female role models in her immediate environment, Laura relied on self-belief and a clear understanding of her own strengths. She learned early that confidence does not have to be loud to be effective.

Facing Doubt and Choosing Conviction

As she approached qualification, Laura made it known that she wanted to specialise in corporate law. At that point, she was told by a senior female colleague that corporate was ‘no place for a woman’ and questioned how she would balance a future family with such a demanding path. 

The comment was presented as practical advice. For Laura, it became a defining moment. 

Rather than step back, she chose to pursue the area of law that genuinely interested her. She believed that long-term fulfilment would come from doing work she valued, not from following a path shaped by expectation. 

Looking back, she sees that moment as a lesson in resilience and clarity. 

It reinforced the importance of recognising your own strengths, understanding what motivates you, and having the courage to pursue it even if the path feels uncertain. That decision ultimately led her to OCS and to a role she describes as the most rewarding of her career.

Building Something New at OCS

Laura joined the business as it was expanding and evolving. Having worked previously as an external adviser, she understood its ambition and culture. When she was invited to establish an in-house legal function, it required a significant shift in mindset. 

Her original plan had been to remain in private practice and progress towards partnership. Moving in-house meant redefining what success looked like. 

She built the legal function from the ground up, introducing processes and controls to manage risk and support growth. Over time, her responsibilities broadened. She joined the board and took on oversight of risk, compliance, QHSE and sustainability, helping to shape governance and resilience across the UK and Ireland business. 

Laura describes her leadership style as collaborative and grounded in emotional intelligence. She listens carefully, draws on a range of perspectives and believes that stronger decisions emerge when different voices are heard. For her, leadership is about influence, clarity and accountability rather than volume.

Influenced by Women Around Her

In her early career, Laura did not have professional female role models in corporate law. Today, she draws inspiration from the women she works alongside at OCS. 

She speaks about driven, articulate and passionate colleagues who lead with purpose and integrity. Their example reinforces the value of diversity of thought and the impact of inclusive leadership. 

She also admires female founders and business leaders who are vocal about diversity and purpose-led organisations. Those perspectives align with her belief that businesses perform better when they reflect the people and communities they serve.

A Message for the Next Generation

As a leader and a mother, Laura’s advice to her daughter and to young women starting their careers is direct and grounded in experience.

She has seen how varied perspectives strengthen decision-making. Inclusive leadership is not symbolic, it improves performance, resilience and outcomes for colleagues and customers. 

What #GiveToGain Means at OCS

For Laura, #GiveToGain is about shared responsibility. Progress in gender equality is not driven by women alone. It depends on colleagues across the business giving time, support, knowledge and sponsorship to remove barriers and create opportunity. 

Giving might mean mentoring a colleague, challenging outdated assumptions, or ensuring diverse voices are heard in key decisions. In return, organisations gain stronger teams, better insight and more sustainable performance. 

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect, but also to act. Laura’s journey shows what can happen when conviction meets opportunity, and when businesses create the conditions for people to thrive. 

By giving support and opening doors for others, we strengthen our organisation and move closer to our mission of making people and places the best they can be.