MCA AWARDS 2026 WINNERS RECOGNISED FOR DELIVERING IMPACT, INNOVATION AND RESILIENCE

• Resulting IT with NHS 24 wins MCA Project of the Year for a transformational programme benefiting more than five million people.
• Kate Kenyon of PwC named The Times Consultant of the Year after also winning Team Leader of the Year.
• Winners across 24 categories demonstrate consulting's role in helping organisations respond to cyber threats, fraud, energy security pressures, supply chain disruption and the adoption of AI.

LONDON, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- More than a thousand guests gathered at Grosvenor House in London for the MCA Awards 2026, recognising the consulting firms and individuals delivering exceptional results for clients, public services, communities and the wider economy. Hosted by broadcaster Amol Rajan and Tamzen Isacsson, Chief Executive of the Management Consultancies Association (MCA), the Awards brought together business leaders, government representatives, clients and national and international media to celebrate the UK's leading management consultants and the impact they deliver.

This year's winners reflected the scale of the challenges facing organisations across the UK and internationally. From strengthening cyber resilience and tackling fraud to accelerating the energy transition, transforming healthcare and harnessing artificial intelligence, the winning projects demonstrated the value of independent expert advice in helping organisations navigate change and deliver lasting results.

The awards attracted a record number of entries from nearly 50 consulting firms. Independent judges from business, academia, government and the media spent more than 200 hours interviewing finalists to identify the profession's leading projects and consultants. A total of 31 small, medium and large consulting firms were winners or highly commended with small firms winning a third (33%) of project categories, an increase from 2025.

Tamzen Isacsson, Chief Executive of the MCA, said:

"Tonight we celebrate the people behind the success of UK consulting. People who went the extra mile and achieved extraordinary results, who took on complex problems and delivered what many thought was impossible, and who overcame their own challenges to do incredible things. Our industry's reputation for growth and transformation is driven by one thing: people, and tonight we recognise the very best of them. From supporting charities and strengthening public services to improving security and helping organisations adapt to change, this year's finalists have shown the extraordinary impact that consulting can have across our economy and society. An industry powered by people delivers for people – millions of people."

Lord Leong CBE, Minister for Small Business and Enterprise, who presented the Rising Star Award, said:

"Congratulations to all the winners and finalists at this year's MCA Awards. The talent and achievements recognised tonight show how UK consulting drives innovation, helps businesses succeed and supports better public services for people across the country.

"Professional and business services is one of eight growth-driving sectors at the heart of our Modern Industrial Strategy. Worth more than £300 billion a year and supporting one in every seven jobs, the sector is central to our economic strength and future growth.

"From helping more British firms win business overseas and harness AI to boost productivity, to developing the next generation of apprentices and graduates, this year's winners and finalists demonstrate the expertise and ambition that will deliver opportunity in every part of the UK."

The MCA Project of the Year was awarded to Resulting IT with NHS 24 for a programme supporting Scotland's urgent care service. Selected from all project category winners, the project replaced ageing systems and launched a modern digital platform for NHS services in the country. Delivered on time with no disruption to live patient services, the programme improved the experience, time spent and access for patients across phone, webchat, self-help guides and app services.

Kate Kenyon of PwC was named The Times Consultant of the Year, having also won Team Leader of the Year. Judges praised her leadership in helping a major retailer get its finance operations back up and running after a serious incident affected the business. Leading a 16-person team under intense pressure, she helped the client regain control of important financial work, restore confidence in its systems and return to business as usual, while showing calm leadership and a strong focus on people.

Among the project winners, JCURV with Sainsbury's received the Performance Improvement in the Private Sector Award for delivering significant transformation at one of the UK's leading retailers. Jacobs with Tideway won the Social Value Award for a project that helped more than 1,200 unemployed people into work, while Enfuse Group with Inchcape Shipping Services secured the International Award for transforming operations across a global maritime business operating in more than 60 countries.

CF with Boehringer Ingelheim won Best Use of Thought Leadership for analysis showing chronic kidney disease (CKD) costs the NHS £8.2 billion a year, contributes to around 19,000 cardiovascular deaths and leaves two-in-five advanced cases undiagnosed. The work has informed national cardiovascular policy, been adopted by NHS England's prevention programme and strengthened the case for earlier diagnosis and treatment for more than seven million people living with CKD in England.

PwC with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero won the Sustainability Award for the Climate Finance Accelerator, which helps climate projects in emerging economies become investment-ready. Operating across ten countries, the programme has supported 238 businesses and mobilised more than $500 million across 60 deals, helping unlock private capital for the global energy transition.

Public sector winners also included Grant Thornton with Sheffield City Council, which won the People and Leadership Award for a pioneering workforce transformation programme, while CF with NHS South West London Integrated Care Board received the Strategy Award for delivering change benefiting 1.9 million patients.

Individual award winners highlighted the depth and diversity of talent across the profession. Sahil Shah of EY was named Rising Star, Tanushree Agarwal of Inner Circle Consulting won Young Consultant of the Year and Eleni Godwin of PwC received Apprentice of the Year. Dr Katharina Reusch of Capgemini Invent was recognised as Technology Consultant of the Year for her work in translating emerging AI technologies into tangible client value. Georgina Fraser of CBRE won Thought Leader Consultant of the Year, Vince Cuddon of PwC received the Inclusion Award, Alex Crompton of BAE Systems Digital Intelligence & Land was named Chartered Management Consultant of the Year and Caroline Cujic of KPMG won Experienced Leader Award.

Kindred Consulting received the Best New Consultancy Award. Judges recognised the firm's strong client relationships, commitment to learning and development, investment in its people and the sustainable growth it has achieved since its launch.

The awards also recognised a number of highly commended projects and individuals whose work delivered outstanding client outcomes, innovation, social value and leadership.

A full list of MCA Awards 2026 winners and highly commended entries can be found at MCA Awards.

Details of the MCA Awards 2027 are also available at MCA Awards 2027.

The Management Consultancies Association (MCA):

The MCA is the representative body for the UK's leading management consulting firms. For over 65 years, the MCA has been the voice of the consulting industry, promoting the value of consulting to business, the public sector, media commentators and the public. The MCA's mission is to promote the value of management consultancy for the economy and society. MCA member companies comprise over 50% of the UK consulting industry and work with the vast majority of the top FTSE 100 companies and almost all parts of the public sector.

Compliance with the MCA's entry criteria and adherence to the principles of Consulting Excellence mean that MCA member companies are widely acknowledged to provide high quality services to their clients. Many of their achievements are recognised in the annual MCA Awards.