Steph Brewer – Future Leader Award winner

Steph Brewer was the winner of the 2025 Future Leader Award in recognition of her outstanding leadership, innovation, and impact across KPMG’s Financial Services (FS) practice. Working alongside senior leadership, Steph has played a pivotal role in shaping and delivering the FS Regions strategy, driving growth, collaboration, and stronger client connections across the UK. Her efforts have contributed to double-digit growth in the regional practice over the past year.

A passionate advocate for inclusion and professional development, Steph co-founded the Women in Internal Audit Network in the North, creating a thriving cross-sector community that supports, connects, and uplifts women at all career stages. She also leads transformation initiatives within KPMG’s Internal Audit (GRCS) function, using technology and AI to enhance service delivery.

Steph’s collaborative spirit, curiosity, and commitment to empowering others exemplify the next generation of leadership shaping the future of financial services.

We had a few questions for Steph…

How does it feel to have won this year’s WIBF Award, and what does this recognition mean to you personally and professionally?

It was a real honour to win this years award, and I really wasn’t expecting it. The calibre of women shortlisted in my category, and across the other categories, was very high, so I was delighted to even be shortlisted. Since the awards, it’s been so nice how many colleagues have reached out with messages of congratulations and it’s been celebrated a lot internally.

What was it like attending the awards ceremony, and were there any moments from the evening that particularly stood out for you?

The WIBF awards ceremony was a great evening – we had a great group of KPMG attendee’s from across various teams and with KPMG colleagues / teams shortlisted in 6 categories, so it was a real reason to celebrate. On the night, my category was first up, and I absolutely was not expecting to win so was very unprepared to go up on stage (made slightly worse with a fractured foot). Across the night, I had the opportunity to meet so many people from across various roles, industries and organisations and I’ve kept in contact with some of them since. Whilst I’m immensely proud that I won on the evening, the event overall was a real celebration of everyone there, and everything women across all sectors have achieved.

You’ve played a pivotal role in shaping the Financial Services Regions strategy at KPMG. What has been the most rewarding part of driving growth and collaboration across the FS sector?

At the heart of our Regional business is our people, and this was a core part of our refreshed Regional strategy. With nearly a quarter of our FS community based in the regional offices, connectivity and collaboration was a real focus area for us. It’s been really rewarding to build my network, and collaborate with colleagues across all our capabilities in FS, as well as being out in the market connecting with FS organisations.

Your work has delivered impressive outcomes, from revenue growth to building stronger trade body relationships. What do you think has been the key to achieving such tangible impact?

Since stepping into my FS role, I was keen to establish a community internally and externally across the FS Regions. Internally, we brought together teams of people with the same focus and interest and I worked to ensure that everything we did was reflecting what is important to our clients, and tailored to their needs. There was a real appetite externally as well to be better connected with peer organisations, collaborate and come together – the regional pride is always inspiring. Everything I have been part of, within KPMG and beyond, has tried to encapsulate this spirit.

You helped establish the Women in Internal Audit Network in the North, which has already hosted successful events. Why was it important to you to create this platform, and what difference has it made so far?

This has been a fantastic initiative – bringing together women from across the Internal Audit sector and being part of a community that’s focused on connectivity, collaboration and supporting each other. It’s been great to connect with woman from a range of sectors and firms, and share insights across a range of topics. Our events so far have brought insights and experience from senior female leaders, networking, as well as focusing on developing the practical soft-skills that are invaluable across all career stages. Feedback to date has been very positive – I love that we have managed to establish something that’s valuable to everyone involved, regardless of seniority, and everyone has taken something from it. Big thank you to everyone involved, and that collectively helped get it off the ground.

What does being recognised as a Future Leader mean to you, and how do you hope to use this recognition to amplify your impact within KPMG and the wider industry?

On a number of levels this was a great achievement for me, and I was truly delighted to be shortlisted for the WIBF award – even to be nominated, especially considering the range of colleagues that were also put forward from KPMG and the diverse range of achievements each have demonstrated. When I look across the other women short-listed, in my category and the others, it really is an inspiring group to be part of.

I truly value the breadth and depth of knowledge and specialisms that we have across the firm, and working alongside so many of my colleagues has helped me achieve everything I have in my career. I have been fortunate to have some fantastic mentors, opportunities and experience in the time at KPMG. Being short-listed for external awards like these really does showcase the value that KPMG offers and I’m delighted to be included in an accolade like this.

 You’ve taken part in leadership development programmes across KPMG. How have these experiences shaped your leadership approach?

A key part of these programmes for me has been having the dedicated space and time to be involved and do the thinking. We often focus on the day-to-day role, the to-do lists, and don’t take the time for the personal development areas – KPMG has been great in providing me with programmes like these and help me explore my leadership style and approach. A key area is how I collaborate with others, how to drive high performance in my teams and build the trust across everyone I work with.

These development programmes have at times pushed me out of my comfort zone, but I’ve always learnt something to take forward. My role often pushes me out of my comfort zone, so it’s been useful to build reliance around that in a safe space – ‘Comfortable being uncomfortable’ is definitely my mantra these days in my role.

Looking at the financial services sector more broadly, what changes do you believe are most urgent to support women and underrepresented groups in achieving leadership roles?

In Financial Services, I do think we have taken strides forward to support women and underrepresented groups achieve leadership roles. I’m very fortunate that I get to work with some inspiring women inside KPMG and across the industry. A great example for me is Katie Clinton (Head of Regional FS in KPMG), who has been a phenomenal leader and mentor across my KPMG career – thank you.  Across the sector, we all could be doing more though – and real change will take time and takes collective responsibility.

This will hopefully be a generational shift as more diversity comes through education, and progresses through their careers, reaping some of the rewards of the initiatives that have started over the last 5-10 years, in particular. We need to think about how we support women across all career stages right from the start (and as part of their education), remove blockers, and support each other to make Financial Services as inclusive and supportive as possible.