Introducing the Finalists: Change Management Consultant of the Year 2016

Consultant's from five different firms have made the shortlist for the year's MCA Awards. The category recognises consultants who demonstrate exceptional performance in change management; for example managing change, organisational change and restructuring, cultural change, Target Operating Model initiatives, and internal communications.  The summaries of all the shortlisted entries can be found below:


Crystal Contreras, Accenture

Crystal Contreras is a Senior Manager from Accenture Consulting's recently launched Human Capital Team, which houses their Change Management, Learning & HR practitioners within their Communications, Media & Technology organisation.

As one of Accenture’s most experienced global change management experts, Crystal has worked on some of Accenture’s most complex and exciting transformational projects for over a decade. Recognised for her expertise in driving cost savings and improving organisational performance, Crystal has driven new global Sales & Marketing ways of working, allowing clients to rapidly evolve their customer experience, gain a single view of the customer and grow their sales capability.


Ben Coulson, Arup 

Ben Coulson is Arup’s go-to person for operational readiness (OR) projects.

On intense, complex projects to open facilities at Heathrow, Dubai and Mumbai, Ben has repeatedly shown a rare ability to mobilise the cooperation of a small army of representatives from airlines and other stakeholders, harness their input and put the facility on course for a smooth and timely opening – not an easy task when opening day is up to a year away.

As one of a very small community worldwide with this body of experience (and as a speaker at the first global OR conference in March), Ben has come to be recognised as a global expert in OR, spearheading Arup’s rise in the field.


Lisa Calmiano, CSC 

Lisa Calmiano is a remarkable change consultant with a track-record in embedding change within organisations facing formidable challenges.

Prioritising her clients’ needs, Lisa is a trusted expert who has the ability to facilitate new, successful ways of thinking. Bringing leadership, cross-industry knowledge and creative communicative tools, Lisa has delivered transformational change in both her professional and personal life. For example, in the past four years alone, Lisa has:

  • Individually driven wholesale change to the charity Crisis.
  • Streamlined a complex, unionised organisation within Network Rail.
  • Enabled a national breakdown assistance provider to grow in a saturated market.
  • Repurposed RBS in Scotland to improve its standing amongst both staff and customers. 

Caroline Kennar, Deloitte

Caroline is a Senior Manager in Deloitte’s Organisational Transformation and Talent practice. 

Working alongside an internal client counterpart, Caroline led the Change Management and Communication-related activities for Global Business Services for one of the largest transactions ever to take place in the sector.

Over a ten-month period, Caroline and her team engaged with business, functional and other programme stakeholders to ensure the seamless communication of people-related impacts to a global audience of around 14,000 individuals. In addition, Caroline led the team in providing communications support post Day 1 – transaction day – to individual markets in delivering their local integration plans.

The communications provided contributed to the successful achievement of:

  • Approx. 12,000 people being on-boarded on Day 1
  • Approx. 1,500 people being off-boarded on Day 1
  • Approx. 15 delayed markets being prepared for local Day 1

Tim O'Hanlan

Dr. Tim O’Hanlon has led change management programmes since 1988. His experience spans 46 countries and sectors as diverse as aerospace, automotive, finance, health, fast moving consumer goods, retail and telecommunications. He builds rapport and gets to grips with the challenges faced by his clients in a manner that transcends hierarchies. His analytical approach helps overcome resistance to change and his client testimonials provide clear evidence of an impressive track record of success. As partner and COO of GE Healthcare Finnamore, Tim uses his international experience of implementing effective quality management systems as a driver for effective, sustainable change.


The winners will be announced at our Awards Ceremony & Dinner, held at the Park Plaza Westminster on 21 April 2016. All MCA awards are judged by an independent expert panel of judges who have experience of working in the public and private sectors, universities, consultancy or journalism.