Sifting through almost 100 entries to select the winners of this year’s Consultant of the Year awards was no easy task. The judges had to whittle down the entries to nine winners: three in the “career stage” categories (young consultant, future leader and outstanding achievement) and six in specialist categories (change management, human resources, IT, marketing, performance improvement, and strategy).

This year’s entrants displayed “outstanding” consultancy skills, says Alan Leaman, chief executive of the Management Consultancies Association. He says the awards provide a chance to recognise and celebrate excellence in management consultancy, which is important for three reasons.

First, it motivates and challenges consultants to further develop their skills and experience. Second, it allows the industry to communicate how it adds value to the UK economy and society. And third, it inspires others who are considering a career in consultancy.

Leaman says. “This industry is judged on the quality of its people; therefore we want to attract really high-quality people.”

The judging panel reflects a careful balance of professional expertise. “There are people who know the consultancy industry very well and others who can see it from a client’s perspective.”

This year’s judges were: Alyson Gerner, commercial deputy director at the Department for Children, Schools and Families; Charles Tilley, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants; Christine Dyke, director of Partners in Development;

Dr Duncan Angwin, associate professor at Warwick Business School; Gianvito Lanzolla, senior lecturer in strategy at Cass Business School; Helen Bevan, director of service transformation at the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement; Joe Simpson, director, politics and partnerships at The Leadership Centre; Paul Vincent, managing director of Insight Sourcing Solutions; Peter Graham, senior lecturer in human resources and organisational behaviour at Greenwich University Business School; Peter Hill, former chief executive of the MCA; Sandra Macleod, group chief executive of Echo Research; and Lord Clement-Jones, co-chairman (global government relations) at DLA Piper.

Individuals entering the awards had to provide a personal statement, client testimonial and a list of projects they had worked on. Entries were judged against seven criteria: client focus, leadership, communication, teamwork, project management, critical thinking and specialist knowledge. Shortlisted entrants were interviewed by a panel of judges. “Being on the shortlist is a very strong achievement in itself,” Leaman says. “It means that your company really rates you, your clients rate you and an independent group of experts gives you a strong endorsement.

“Our congratulations go to the excellent consultants who were shortlisted and the outstanding individuals who won awards.”

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