2026 is a year of opportunity for our economy. Growth is within our grasp. Huge gains from new technologies are waiting to be realised.

This survey makes one thing clear: the UK consulting industry is poised to play a critical role in shaping this future. Because consultants are not just there to support and serve – we have a duty to lead.

We can help lead in the age of digital innovation and AI, doing so in a way that is safe, ethical and brings benefits to all of society. This is a momentous opportunity for our industry. Tech companies are creating the new capabilities, but it is consultants who are implementing them, helping businesses adopt them, and ensuring society finds the value in them. This year we will cement our role as the go-to sector for AI adoption, with nearly four in five firms saying digital and AI will be their biggest drivers of growth, and three-quarters saying they will invest in these areas.

We can also lead clients for the long term. As this survey shows sustainability is less of a priority as business grapple with immediate and complex pressures. But consultants have the expertise, experience and ethics to help those companies to stay true to their values. It’s there in the principles of Consulting Excellence and Chartered Accreditation we all sign up to: we commit to ensuring that our firms operate in an increasingly sustainable way. Even in tough times, we can hold feet to the fire and keep targets on track.

We can also lead by example. We are an industry that is renowned for career-long training and development. We must therefore heed survey data which points to a concern around the quality of this training with the shift to hybrid working. As we witness an increase in people looking to careers outside consulting, we should listen carefully to a workforce that values variety and flexibility, but also appreciates the importance of in-person working.

Finally, we can lead with hope. This is an industry that has improved business performance and resilience in times of extreme volatility and intense pressure. It has embraced change and adapted as new technologies have disrupted traditional models. At a time when optimism often appears in short supply, we can bring the hope, the momentum and the confidence clients need to make decisions, break through the uncertainty, and fulfil the potential of the year ahead.