After reading Maths at Newnham College, Cambridge, Louise began her professional life as an actuary before working in the tech industry, building new software and then freelancing as a software risk consultant.
In 2007, Dr Pryor became Director of Actuarial Standards at the Financial Reporting Council. Under her leadership, the Council succeeded in shifting actuarial regulation in the UK and leading the development of the first set of technical actuarial standards, delivered by a fully independent standard-setting body, anywhere in the world.
In 2012 Dr Pryor turned her attention to the emerging threats around climate risk and sustainability. She has since been heavily involved in the sustainability activities at the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. She was elected as a Council member, and in 2021 she was appointed President.
Dr Pryor was recently Chair of the London Climate Change Partnership, an organisation working on adaptation to climate change in London.
She is currently Chair of the Ecology Building Society and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. She also leads the Actuaries Carbon Collaboration, which works on issues around carbon emissions and offsets.
Addressing students from the Faculty of Science and Engineering, who formally received their degrees during the ceremony, Dr Pryor said:
“I’m delighted to be here today accepting this award, which is a huge honour. I’m particularly thrilled to be associated with ARU, which does such fantastic work in the field of climate change.
“As long as you are prepared to learn and adapt, you will be able to make the new world a better place. Life is full of possibilities, and with your degrees in your hands and your habit of learning, you will be able to embrace them.”
Professor Watkins said: “With a keen focus on sustainability, Dr Pryor is a bold and fierce champion of positive change. She will be a powerful role model to all our students.”
