What we're looking for
We're looking for an outstanding Rising Star whose impact is exceptional, someone operating at the highest level professionally, while also demonstrating purpose, leadership and influence beyond what we’d normally expect at this stage of a career.
The judges look for excellence in delivery, the ability to inspire confidence and drive change, and a contribution that elevates the profession.
This individual will also represent ICAS at the One Young World Summit.
Overall Winner 2026: Jemima Jacobs CA
Jemima Jacobs CA, Vice President – Audit Supervisor, Bank of America, has successfully built a career combining finance and technology and is now working in internal audit at Bank of America. She applies strong accounting expertise alongside deep knowledge of technology risk, cybersecurity and governance to support organisational resilience. Beyond her role, she serves as trustee and audit committee chair at the Meningitis Research Foundation, driven by her own recovery from life-threatening illness. She contributes strategic oversight, raises awareness and undertakes fundraising challenges, demonstrating leadership and a strong commitment to social impact.
Jemima will represent ICAS and Chartered Accountants Worldwide at the One Young World Summit in Cape Town, in November.
Overall Winner 2025: Laura Mason CA
Laura Mason CA, Assistant Manager, Public Services Advisory, Financial modelling & Data Analytics, Grant Thornton, bridges finance, data and public service to create lasting impact. With experience in transport, energy and climate resilience, she has shaped multi-billion-pound procurement projects and designed tools to allocate government funding effectively – including £10m for offshore wind in the Celtic Sea. A chartered management consultant as well as a CA, Mason goes beyond spreadsheets, building Power Query tools for national funding, writing thought leadership on AI and EVs and speaking on public service innovation.
Mason is also using her position to drive social change, co-developing chatbots to improve access to mental health care and local services for recent arrivals who don’t speak English. As an advocate for marine sustainability, she has spoken at the UN Ocean Conference, EU Maritime Day and Unesco events, championing ocean health and seaweed recycling. She’s raised more than £500,000 for global health and education causes and represents ICAS as a London Area Network member, amplifying diverse voices in the profession.
Whether building financial models or influencing climate change and policy dialogues, she demonstrates that being a CA today means leading with purpose, innovation and impact. Her career shows how finance can be a tool for public good – making her a true changemaker and a powerful voice for the future of the profession.
