Women in Costs Conference: insights from a rising star

In January, Lauren Evans, a trainee Costs Lawyer at Furley Page, was awarded the Rising Star Award by Women in Costs. Women in Costs (WIC) is a lawyer led organisation with a mission to ‘empower women to reach their full potential and achieve career satisfaction’.

Following her talk at their annual conference in Manchester, Lauren shares her reflections on receiving the award and delivering a presentation to a live audience.

I was invited to speak at the Women in Costs Conference on the theme of ‘Empowerment Through Technology’, which formed the basis of my application that won the Rising Star Award 2026.

My presentation addressed various aspects of technology, such as social networking, integration with practice and the enhancement of work. I also discussed the dangers of not embracing technological change, such as falling behind or facing competency challenges if you are unable to adapt to aspects of the role.

A daunting prospect – how should I prepare?

Standing on stage and delivering a talk to nearly 200 people was definitely out of my comfort zone. Prior to this, the extent of my public speaking was probably my interview at Furley Page, where I gave a 10-minute presentation to three people – quite a leap!

That said, giving the talk reflected what I was encouraging others to do, to try something new. I told myself what I would say to someone else in my position: small steps are essential to growth, and confidence develops over time. It is often said that the key to success is preparation. In this case, the WIC team offered extensive support to ensure I was in a good position to deliver my speech. From Erica Bedford (WIC founder and a costs barrister) helping me shape the direction of my talk, to mentoring support from Victoria Weinrich-Cooke, I had a great deal of guidance along the way. As with any skill development, having the right people around you is conducive to growth and success – which is why working within a supportive and adaptable team is so important. A big thank you to everyone on the WIC team who helped make the conference a success.

This also leads me to the support and encouragement I received from my team at Furley Page LLP. From posting about my talk and colleagues asking about it in the office, to supportive messages in our WhatsApp group chat, I felt valued and confident from the outset. I was encouraged to write this blog and given the time and space to attend the conference, which has made me particularly grateful to be part of such a supportive firm.

The importance of adaptability and skill building

Whilst this all sounds positive, in a professional context why does this matter? It matters because across the development of the costs industry – or any industry for that matter – being adaptable and developing a broad skill set can be the difference between thriving and falling behind. Think of it as future-proofing yourself for potential changes.

Examples of an adaptable mindset:

• Being open to working differently
• Thinking about ways technology might enable you to work more efficiently, such as leveraging AI or integrating a new platform
• Becoming more comfortable with technology
• Accepting a level of discomfort when trying something new

This mindset does not have to be limited to technology. For me, it applied to public speaking and my career more broadly, and applying these adaptability skills has increased my confidence as a costs professional. Things that you might once have thought impossible may be closer within reach than you realise – you simply have to be brave enough to go after them.

Final takeaways from attending the conference

One of the most significant takeaways from the conference was the value of connection – recognising that people are at the heart of our profession and that we need to support and uplift each other.

Something Erica said to me has really stayed with me: the idea of extending a ladder to junior talent from a senior position, helping to create an inclusive and supportive community. More than that, it instils those same values in junior professionals themselves, who carry them forward in their careers and ensure the next generation of professionals are given a voice and the opportunity to be heard.

This really captures the value of a community like Women in Costs. It helps ensure that these values remain embedded within the costs industry, so that women – and others who may otherwise be overlooked – are given visibility and opportunity.