Consulting Media Awards 2026
Consulting Firm of the Year
Recognising the UAE's best consulting firms, judged on evidence and verified client references.
- Free
- Platinum · Gold · Silver · Bronze
- 25 November 2026
- 3 December 2026
The award
One award, four levels
Each level has a standard to reach, so several firms can win at the same level and every winner has earned it on the evidence. Not every firm that enters wins.
Platinum
Exceptional, sector-leading results across every criterion.
85+ / 100
Gold
Outstanding results with clear, verified client impact.
75+ / 100
Silver
Strong performance with proven results in its field.
65+ / 100
Bronze
A solid record of quality work and satisfied clients.
55+ / 100
2026 timeline
Key dates
- 14 November 2026Nominations open
- 225 November 2026Nominations close
- 326 November – 2 December 2026Judging
- 43 December 2026Winners announced
Why enter
Recognition clients trust
- 1
Earned, not bought
Free to enter and judged on evidence. Clients know a Consulting Media award can't be paid for.
- 2
Seen by decision-makers
Winners are announced on Consulting Media and featured on our homepage and in The Consulting Media Brief.
- 3
On your profile, for good
Your level and citation appear on your firm's profile in the UAE Consulting Firms Directory.
- 4
A sharper story
Preparing a nomination makes you set out your results clearly: the same case you make to every client.
Judging
How judging works
Every nomination is scored by the judging panel against five weighted criteria. Scores decide the level: firms that reach the standard are named Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze Consulting Firm of the Year 2026.
- Impact on clients30%
Measurable results for UAE clients in the period.
- Achievements25%
Major wins, milestones, recognition and growth.
- Client endorsement20%
What the client references say when we contact them.
- Expertise and capability15%
Depth of team, specialisms and quality of delivery.
- People and responsibility10%
Developing talent, Emiratisation, ESG and ethics.
Judges declare conflicts of interest and don’t score firms they’re connected to.
We contact the client reference on every nomination before deciding.
Eligibility
Who can enter
UAE-licensed
An active UAE trade licence, mainland or free zone, and at least 12 months operating in the UAE.
Consulting firms
Strategy, management, digital, AI and data, people, finance advisory, risk and ESG. Audit, legal, recruitment, company formation and marketing agencies aren't eligible.
Every size
From boutiques to the largest practices. A client or partner can nominate a firm; we then contact the firm to confirm.
Rules
- Open to consulting firms holding an active UAE trade licence, mainland or free zone, that have operated in the UAE for at least 12 months.
- Management, strategy, digital, technology, people, finance advisory, risk and ESG consultancies are eligible. Pure audit, legal, recruitment, company-formation and marketing-agency services are not; multi-service firms enter for their consulting practice only.
- Nominations must describe work delivered in or from the UAE from December 2024 to November 2026.
- Each firm may submit one nomination. A client or partner can nominate a firm; we then contact the firm to confirm and collect the evidence.
- Every nomination needs at least one client reference we can contact in confidence during judging; a second reference is optional and strengthens a nomination.
- Entry is free. No one can buy an award or a higher level: sponsors, advertisers and guests get no advantage in judging.
- The judging panel declares any conflict of interest and doesn't score firms it is connected to.
- A level is only awarded to firms that reach its standard. Not every firm that enters receives an award.
- Nominations are confidential to the organisers and judges. For winners we publish the firm name, level and a short citation.
- False or misleading information leads to disqualification, and an award can be withdrawn.
Questions
Who can be nominated for Consulting Firm of the Year 2026?
Any consulting firm with an active UAE trade licence, mainland or free zone, that has operated in the UAE for at least 12 months. Firms of every size can enter.
Does it cost anything to enter?
No. Entry is free, and nothing in judging depends on payment, sponsorship or advertising.
What do Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze mean?
They are the levels of the award. The judging panel scores every nomination out of 100 against published criteria, and each level has a standard to reach. Several firms can be awarded at the same level.
What do we need to submit?
A short form that takes about five minutes: your firm's details and trade licence number, two eligibility confirmations, your biggest achievements, one client result, and one client reference we can contact. A link to evidence and a second reference are optional.
When are the winners announced?
Nominations open on 4 November 2026 and close on 25 November 2026. Winners are announced on 3 December 2026.
Will our nomination be kept confidential?
Yes. Only the organisers and judges read nominations. For winners, we publish the firm's name, its level and a short citation.
Can a client nominate a firm?
Yes. Choose "I'm a client or partner" on the form. We contact the firm to confirm it agrees to take part and to complete the evidence.
Free entry · Consulting Media Awards 2026
Is yours the UAE’s consulting firm of the year?
Nominations close 25 November 2026. Winners announced 3 December 2026.