We are incredibly proud to have had four Akeso finalists representing us at the prestigious MCA Awards earlier this week. It was a fantastic evening of celebration that brought together the best and brightest across the industry, and to see our team members recognised for their hard work and dedication was an honour.
- Rebecca Barnes: Rising Star, Winner
- Shivam Sharma: Rising Star, Highly Commended
- Dr Luke Taylor: Inclusion Award, Highly Commended
- Fred Weller: Young Consultant of the Year, Finalist
Their dedication and passion for transforming healthcare and life sciences, whilst advancing inclusion in the workplace and beyond continues to inspire us all. We are so proud of their accomplishments and the impact they’ve made in delivering sustainable benefits to our clients.
Rebecca Barnes: Rising Star, Winner
Rebecca was the deserving winner of the ‘Rising Star’ category at the MCA Awards 2024! The judges described her as “one to watch – an incredible consultant who stood out for her breadth of expertise and authenticity” amongst her fellow talented finalists, and we feel incredibly lucky to have her as part of our team.
Rebecca’s dedication to delivering outstanding client results, excelling in internal initiatives, and championing equality and diversity has also led her to win her team’s ‘Most Valuable Person’ award two years in a row in her previous role. As Co-Chair of the Women and Carers in Consultancy network, Rebecca has been a driving force for inclusive leadership and development, creating a supportive environment for colleagues. Her compassionate, values-driven approach has made a real impact, from representing citizens’ voices in projects to leading on sensitive political initiatives. Well done Rebecca – we can’t wait to continue to see you rise on your consulting journey!
Shivam Sharma: Rising Star, Highly Commended
The judges described Shiv as a Consultant whose “work ethic and humility really impressed, demonstrating his ability to work on big impact projects in the health sector.” From making an immediate impact by supporting a major public sector procurement worth over £250m, to leading national engagement strategy design and execution for a high-profile client project, Shiv has consistently showcased his ability to tackle complex problems, innovate solutions, and build strong client relationships, resulting in tangible outcomes and public sector savings.
Dr Luke Taylor: Inclusion Award, Highly Commended
The judges awarded Dr Luke Taylor highly commended for the Inclusion Award for “using his inspirational work in bringing change to the consulting community.” Luke’s journey took a significant turn with a dual cancer diagnosis, leading to physical and cognitive impairments. Despite these challenges, he returned to work, advocating for accommodations, and fostering a culture of support within Akeso. His experiences inspired him to emphasize intersectionality and accommodate diverse needs in his advocacy for EDI, spearheading policy overhauls, establishing an EDI network and embedding inclusive practice into the firm’s competency framework.
Fred Weller: Young Consultant of the Year, Finalist
Fred was shortlisted as a finalist for his accolades and achievements in his impressive consulting career to date. From developing and implementing innovative clinical models in some of the country’s most disadvantaged regions, to working on-the-ground with clients managing complex commercial challenges to deliver public sector financial improvement, Fred’s approach is characterised by his desire to work in a wholly collaborative manner with his clients, driving to the heart of the problem by actively listening, learning, and most importantly challenging as a critical friend.
Thank you to the Management Consultancy Association for an unforgettable evening, and congratulations to all the nominees, finalists, and winners! It was a true celebration of excellence, and we had an amazing time connecting with so many brilliant minds.