Consultancy Challenge 2026 - Final presentations and awards
Building on the success of previous years, the Company-based Consultancy Challenge at Nottingham University Business School expanded in 2026 to include both selected undergraduate and master's students. Previously open only to students on the Business School's master's programmes, this year's competition provided an opportunity for students from across different levels of study to gain valuable consultancy experience.
The Consultancy Challenge enables students to work in teams to address real-world business issues set by local partner organisations, providing an experience similar to a micro-internship. Each participating organisation works with two student teams, encouraging a diverse range of ideas, innovative solutions and fresh perspectives. Throughout the challenge, students are supported by academic mentors, the Business School's Professors of Practice, alongside company representatives who provide professional insight and guidance.
Developing professional skills
The competition began with an induction where students met their teammates and mentors, received their consultancy briefs and explored the challenges ahead. This was followed by targeted workshops focused on consultancy skills, teamwork and project management to help participants perform at their best.
Over the following three weeks, teams conducted research, analysed key issues and developed recommendations for their client organisations. Regular meetings with mentors provided valuable support and feedback, helping students refine their thinking and strengthen their final proposals.
The challenge culminated in a final presentation event, where each team presented their recommendations to a panel of business representatives, mentors and fellow participants. Following each presentation, teams took part in a question-and-answer session, allowing organisations to explore the research, insights and proposed solutions in greater depth.
Celebrating student success
Students, Professors of Practice, mentors and company partners came together at an awards ceremony to celebrate the achievements of all participants and reflect on another successful year of the Consultancy Challenge.
Dr Thanaset Chevapatrakul, MSc Company Consultancy Challenge Coordinator and Director of Student Recruitment at the Business School, opened the awards by thanking the participating businesses for their continued support and collaboration.
Professor Andrew Bacon, Associate Dean for External Engagement and a Professor of Practice, also praised the high standard of work produced by the students and highlighted the positive impact their recommendations could have on participating organisations.
Awards and winners:
Hallam
Professor of Practice: Keith Burgess
Business School support: Sally Cleere (Postgraduate Careers Consultant)
Winning team: Team five
Francesca Frize, Shivangi Malhotra, Dhinesh S, Zhang Keyuan and Frederic Clayton
ApplyU
Professor of Practice: Abi Hunt
Business School support: Dan Gill (Operations Manager)
Winning team: Team 11
Noor Fatima Bhatti, Abdul Aziz Al Kindi, Akshay Gandhi, Thomas Marshall and Dong Jiayi, Rahul Hansaraj Khaniya
Capital One
Professor of Practice: Professor Andrew Bacon
Business School support: Matilda Stickley (Senior Learning Development Consultant)
Winning team: Team two
Frances Quashie, Wang Jingyi, Gao Jiaman, Varad Yogeshwar Jadhav, Scott Aspley and Paras Lalit Ghaghda
Notts County Foundation
Professor of Practice: Robert Carroll and Laura Bond
Business School support: Bernadette Dooley (Careers Advisor)
Winning team: Team eight
Li Gengyan, Deng Zijun, Devan Sapp, Yuvraj Jayprakash Purohit, Ling Mingcong and Ashutosh Girish Shinde
Winning canvas
Capital One
Frances Quashie, Wang Jingyi, Gao Jiaman, Varad Yogeshwar Jadhav, Scott Aspley and Paras Lalit Ghaghda
Arthur Gunn (MSc International Business) reflected on his experience of taking part in the Consultancy Challenge:
"I wanted to participate in the Consultancy Challenge because I had never done anything like it before and was keen to push myself out of my comfort zone. The experience did not disappoint. The mentors were incredibly supportive, offering valuable insights to help us look at the problem differently when we felt stuck or unsure.
"Taking part strengthened my teamwork and analytical skills, particularly when researching companies, interpreting data and presenting evidence-based solutions. The challenge provided a realistic insight into consultancy work and has sparked my interest in pursuing a career in consultancy or data analytics. It also taught me a great deal about collaborating effectively within a team.”
More information:
Find out more about the Business School's company-based challenges and discover how they benefit both students and partner organisations by providing practical experience, fresh business insights and valuable industry collaboration opportunities.
Posted on Thursday 30th July 2026