- MCA publishes latest toolkit focuses on sharing best practice on creating inclusive cultures, flexible working and supporting career breaks
- Over 100 consulting leaders join MCA at launch event with speakers from large medium and small firms
- Over 16000 downloads of D and I toolkits from MCA website
The Management Consultancies Association (MCA) has launched the fifth in a series of toolkits aimed at sharing best practice to improve the diversity and inclusion in the consulting sector. The latest guidance focuses on workplace policies designed to aid the retention of staff from diverse backgrounds and help them to thrive within consulting. The toolkits have now been downloaded over 16,000 times and aim to improve the diversity and inclusion practices for MCA member firms.
The toolkit was unveiled at a launch event in Central London with key speakers from leading firms. Over 100 industry leaders will attend the event to discuss the toolkit’s recommendations and share experiences of implementing inclusive policies. The panel session will be chaired by Tamzen Isacsson, Chief Executive of the MCA.
The first four editions of the MCA’s D&I Toolkits covered attracting, recruiting, onboarding, and retaining diverse talent. The fifth edition, launched today, focuses on creating an inclusive culture, enabling flexible working, and supporting those returning from extended leave. MCA data from the MCA Member Survey 2025 suggests that female consultants and those from ethnic minority backgrounds are more likely to leave the industry than their male or white counterparts. This toolkit aims to address these retention challenges with practical advice and initiatives for firms of all sizes.
Tamzen Isacsson, Chief Executive of the Management Consultancies Association, said
The better we reflect our society, the better we serve it. For us this is fundamental. UK consulting has spent years earning its reputation as a leading employer of people from diverse backgrounds. We didn’t do that to tick a box. We did it to become a better industry. We’re committed to doing better, every single day and to look at where we are making progress and where we aren’t. As this toolkit shows, the more supported employees feel, the more likely they are to stay and to progress. The correlation between inclusion and retention is undeniable, and we hope that this new Toolkit helps more firms make progress on both fronts.
Diversity and Inclusion is a core principle of Consulting Excellence, which all MCA members are committed to. This includes supporting industry efforts to improve D&I, implementing best practices, and monitoring workforce diversity over time. The Chartered Management Consultant Accreditation also requires consultants to contribute to D&I within their organizations.
Flexible working is a central element of this edition, helping retain a diverse workforce. The 2025 MCA Member Survey revealed that flexible working has overtaken a competitive salary as the top driver of job satisfaction for the first time in six years. Embedding a culture that supports flexible working, while meeting client needs, is vital for high employee satisfaction and empowerment.
The toolkit also examines how to create an inclusive culture within firms and teams. It includes case studies on integrating inclusivity into workplace policies, ensuring accessible office environments, allowing flexibility in bank holidays, and planning culturally sensitive social events.
Supporting those going on and returning from leave is also a priority. The toolkit highlights advances in offering enhanced leave packages, including fully paid parental leave, enhanced carers leave, and unpaid sabbaticals. Tailored support programs for those returning from career breaks, such as returner buddy programs and coaching, have shown impressive results, including a 70% increase in working mothers returning to work in some firms.
For further information on the MCA Diversity and Inclusion Working Group and how to access the toolkit, please go to Diversity and Inclusion Working Group – MCA