MCA picks Amol Rajan to present 2026 awards gala
Amol Rajan has been announced as the master of ceremonies at the 2026 Management Consultancies Association Awards. The journalist and broadcaster is the latest in a long line of top BBC talent to helm the event – which takes place on the 12th of October.
The Management Consultancies Association’s independent jury are currently picking their way through a record number of entries from member firms for the annual MCA Awards. When it finally comes time to announce who is best in class, at the awards gala at London’s Grosvenor House, the prizes will be presented by the incumbent host of quiz night institution University Challenge.
Amol Rajan arrives in the hot seat after a storied career in journalism. Having previously become the youngest editor in Fleet Street history, by assuming the top job at The Independent, he has since become a leading figure in British broadcasting, presenting a wide range of major BBC programmes, also including Radio 4’s Today programme.
MCA CEO Tamzen Isacsson said, “We are delighted to have received a record number of entries from member firms this year, which reflects the ambition and quality of consulting happening across the UK. We are also pleased to be welcoming Amol Rajan as our awards presenter in October. Well-known for his insight and respected knowledge, he is the perfect choice to lead an evening celebrating the very best of our profession.”
Amol will not be the only familiar name from beyond the consulting industry helping with this year’s MCA Awards. The organisation’s jury include 55 independent judges drawn from academia, the media, government and the private sector. Judges for the 2026 Awards include Maryam Moshiri, chief news presenter at the BBC; and Dame Penny Mordaunt, former secretary of state for defence.
The MCA is the representative body for the UK’s leading management consulting firms. For nearly 70 years, the MCA has been the voice of the consulting industry, promoting the value of consulting to business, the public sector, media commentators and the general public.
Each year the MCA Awards attract submissions from small, medium and large consulting firms from across the UK. Every submission is independently assessed, with judges required to sign a strict code of conduct and follow a robust marking and interview process with clear guidelines and criteria. The MCA does not participate in judging decisions; its role is limited to setting the award categories, defining the judging criteria and recruiting the judges. All final decisions are made independently by the judging panels in line with the established process.
