Categories 2026

Judging Criteria & Categories

Please refer to the judging criteria, which highlight the importance of including throughout your submission: quantifiable outcomes, qualitative feedback, and evidence of sustainability and legacy.

• Quantifiable outcomes
• Qualitative feedback
• Evidence of sustainability and legacy

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PROJECT

1. Best Use of Thought Leadership

Demonstrate the impact of a thought leadership initiative or approach by a consulting firm.

Impact may include:

• Supporting excellent client service and projects
• Stimulating wider debate in management and public policy
• Building brand and marketing strength

Show how your work broadens understanding of what consultants achieve and demonstrates commitment to R&D and knowledge creation.

Judges will assess:

• The quality and originality of the thought leadership
• Evidence of its impact within and beyond the consulting firm

2. Change and Transformation in the Private Sector

Demonstrate a structured and sustainable transition from a current state to a desired state.

Focus on major, sometimes fundamental and far-reaching, changes in how an organisation operates—not just improved performance of existing processes.

Examples include:

• Organisational change and restructuring
• Cultural change
• Target Operating Model initiatives
• Fundamental re-engineering of approaches
• Post-M&A activity

Note: If your project centres on significant, organisation-wide transformation, this is the right category. Entries where the primary focus is on enhancing efficiency or optimising existing processes are best suited to the Performance Improvement category, which celebrates excellence in those areas.

3. Change and Transformation in the Public Sector

Demonstrate a structured and sustainable transition from a current state to a desired state in the public sector.

Focus on major, sometimes fundamental and far-reaching changes in how an organisation operates, rather than just improved performance of existing processes.

Examples include:

• Organisational change and restructuring
• Cultural change
• Assistance with major policy initiatives that improve outcomes for society and provide value for money

Submissions should show that sustainable change is deeply embedded and long-lasting, with clear evidence of impact.

Note: If your project is primarily about driving large-scale transformation, this is the ideal category. Projects focused on targeted efficiency or process improvements are encouraged to enter the Performance Improvement in the Public Sector category, which recognises outstanding achievements in those areas.

4. Commercial Impact

Demonstrate work that helps clients to improve their value.

This could include:

• Supply chain improvements
• Excellence and innovation in procurement and supplier management
• Outstanding use of financial analysis and risk management (including compliance and regulatory issues)
• Implementing new commercial models and/or new business strategies

Consultants must show the sustainable difference made and the return on client investment.

5. Technology Transformation

Demonstrate a successful consulting project that has delivered a fundamental technology transformation for a client.

Highlight:

• Clear, sustainable benefits delivered for the organisation
• Use of innovative techniques
• How technology has brought cost benefits, improved internal processes, or generated new opportunities for the client

Note: If your project showcases how technology has enabled new ways of working, unlocked value, or supported broader business change, this is the right category. Projects where technology has primarily supported efficiency or process improvements are welcome and best placed in the Performance Improvement category.

6. International

Demonstrate successful project work overcoming organisational, cultural, regulatory, and geographical barriers in any sector or service line carried out in an overseas market.

This could be:

• A project carried out by a team of consultants from around the world working with the client
• A consulting team working on a project with the client in one or several countries

7. Performance Improvement in the Private Sector

Demonstrate sustainable performance improvements in the private sector in existing business areas.

Improvements could include:

• Cost reduction
• Process design
• Capacity sharing
• Quality assurance

Projects need to show:

• Return on investment in the consulting work
• Benefits of greater efficiency
• Improvements in the bottom line and positive impact on the business

Note: Entries that involve major organisational transformation should be entered under Change and Transformation in the Private Sector.

8. Performance Improvement in the Public Sector

Demonstrate sustainable performance improvements in the public sector in existing business areas.

Improvements could include:

• Cost reduction
• Process design
• Policy making
• Service provision
• Support functions

Projects need to show:

• Return on investment in the consulting work
• Benefits of greater efficiency
• Positive impacts on citizens

Include both quantitative and qualitative benefits, such as improved user experience, increased trust, or enhanced staff morale.

Note: Entries that involve major organisational transformation or policy change should be entered under Change and Transformation in the Public Sector.

9. People and Leadership

Demonstrate the successful delivery of people-related initiatives.

This could include:

• Leadership and cultural change
• Organisational development
• Performance management initiatives
• Training and development
• Recruitment, retention, motivation, or talent management

10. Social Value

Demonstrate work that has enabled clients and consultancies to achieve excellent and sustainable benefits for wider society.

Impact could be financial or non-financial, generating long-term positive outcomes for:

• The organisation
• Community
• Wider society

The winning entry will show how they improved economic, social, or wellbeing outcomes.

Note: This category focuses on broader societal and community benefits. Projects primarily focused on environmental sustainability should be entered under the Sustainability Award.

11. Strategy

Demonstrate the development of a new strategy, or a major contribution to a critical aspect of a client’s strategic plans and approach.

This could take place in the context of:

• Corporate strategy, recovery, or turnaround
• Business strategy
• Market analysis and strategy
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Policy formulation
• Shareholder value creation and management
• Corporate venturing

12. Sustainability Award

Demonstrate work that has enabled clients and consultancies to deliver sustainability benefits for organisations and/or wider society in the UK or overseas.

The work must be explicitly linked to at least one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

Examples include:

• Plastic reduction and/or recycling
• Carbon reduction of operations or supply chains
• Ensuring provision of clean water and sanitation in developing countries
• Promoting clean energy
• Climate action and/or protecting life on land and sea
• Other projects that align with the UNSDGs

Submissions should state:

• How the project aimed to have a positive impact
• What the positive sustainability impact was, on whom or what aspect of operations or organisation
• Over what period of time
• What the legacy of the project is expected to be

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INDIVIDUAL

13. Young Consultant of the Year

Recognises excellent performance in any service line by an individual who has been a consultant (with one or more firms) for between 3+ and 5 years and is under 35 years of age (by entry deadline).

14. Apprentice of the Year

Open to those currently undertaking or recently completing an apprenticeship in consulting (within the last 12 months). Recognises great potential and positive impact in the workplace.

15. Rising Star

For individuals with 1 to max 3 years of consulting experience (by entry deadline) in their first job. Recognises great potential and early positive impact in the sector and workplace.

16. Team Leader Consultant of the Year

For consultants who demonstrate exceptional performance in building and leading project teams and working effectively with clients in that role.

17. Thought Leader Consultant of the Year

Open to consultants in any service line who have made a significant personal contribution to thought leadership in their specialist field.

This might be in the form of:

• Research papers
• Blogs
• Engagement in management and public policy debates
• Contributions to a wider understanding of the role and value of consulting

18. Technology Consultant of the Year

Recognises an individual consultant who has demonstrated exceptional performance and effectiveness in the advancement of the application of new technologies, methodologies, and approaches in business. The individual has to demonstrate outstanding achievement and commitment.

19. Inclusion Award

For individuals excelling at championing and building inclusive workplaces and who are visible advocates, demonstrating the impact of their work in their firm and with clients.

20. Experienced Leader Award

Applications are welcome from individuals coming to consulting as a second career who have a minimum of 3 years consulting experience and can demonstrate an outstanding record of performance with clients, delivering tangible impact and results in a wide variety of projects.

21. Chartered Management Consultant of the Year

Awarded to a Chartered consultant who has shown they have all the qualities and experience that quality management consultants embody. Recognises consistent excellence, professional ethics, and industry leadership. Open to individuals from an MCA Member firm.

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OVERALL

22. Best New Consultancy (Non-members can enter)

Open to all consulting firms which have been operating for less than 7 years and have not been part of any other consultancy firm in the past (i.e., a new entrant). The consultancy must demonstrate their client focus, delivery excellence, commitment to their people, and operational excellence via a presentation to the judging panel.

23. The Times Consultant of the Year

Judges will select a winner who has demonstrated the most exceptional performance from the individual category winners.

24. Project of the Year

Judges will select a winner from the project category winners which has demonstrated exceptional performance in any category.