For the sixth year running, we’ve been named as one of the Financial Times Top Management Consultants in three categories: Public and Social Sector, Organisation and Change and People and Performance. We were voted for by our clients and peers.
This year, for the first time, we were genuinely nervous to find out if we had made the list.
Looking back at 2023, we can see many examples where our support has contributed to improved services, to people’s needs being met earlier and to teams being happier and more energised by their work. We’re proud of our impact.
Difficult as it is to admit, we like being recognised for it.
In practical terms, this kind of recognition helps us to recruit excellent people. It provides some validation for our approach. And it lifts our spirits when we’re struggling away with messy societal challenges. It’s not unreasonable to want these benefits to continue.
But without any false humility, the challenges we face in our work are nothing compared to those of our clients and the citizens they serve.
Needs in communities are increasing. Funding to meet those needs is decreasing. And now inflationary pressures have been thrown in almost as a cruel joke. These are their everyday realities. We share the burden for short periods but aren’t truly responsible for their challenges.
We were nervous we wouldn’t be recognised this year, not because we were questioning our impact. We just couldn’t imagine how voting in a management consultancy survey could possibly feature on any of our clients’ to-do lists.
Despite a mountain of competing priorities, people across the sector took the time to let someone else know that we had been helpful. We ranked higher this year than we ever have before.
We care about making an impact. But we also care about being a great partner. This result, for us at least, is a good sign we’re on the right track.
Thanks for having our back. We’ve got yours too.
