Top trends for independent consultants in 2026

This creates pressure to move beyond subjective claims about influence or insight. Melanie explains that benefits are often realised after an engagement ends, but that is no longer an excuse for vague value statements. Consultants need to translate softer outcomes into business language, asking ‘So what?’ and linking improvements such as confidence or new ways of working to time saved or costs reduced.

Rachel Lambert CMgr FCMI ChMC, co-owner and managing director of Studyflex, echoes this shift. 

“Clients are far less interested in polished frameworks or long reports,” she says, “and far more focused on practical impact.” The expectation that consultants can move quickly from insight to action is already established and will only intensify in 2026.

AI will raise expectations, not replace consultants

AI is a dominant force in shaping the consulting market, but not in the way many fear. Melanie believes that the increasing use of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude will make it harder for consultants to be valued if they rely on traditional deliverables. 

“They need to move away from presentations and reports to creating experiences and building the capability for change in their clients,” she says.

Rachel similarly expects AI-enabled tools to take over much research, synthesis and content development work. For independents, this should significantly reduce time spent on background tasks and free them to focus on judgement, facilitation and working directly with clients. The real shift, she notes, is not the technology itself, but how work is done: shorter cycles, live problem-solving with client teams and co-creation, rather than end-of-project delivery.

Zarina Naqvi CMC ChMC FIC, founder of Maxima Associates, frames AI as an assumed capability rather than a differentiator. Clients will expect AI-enabled working as standard, she says. 

“Consultants must show how they use it responsibly and transparently, and be clear that AI is being used as an assistant, not as a replacement management consultant.” 

Speed and visibility will define credibility

Another trend is the demand for faster delivery without sacrificing relevance. Zarina summarises client expectations for 2026 as “faster delivery, clearer value and measurable outcomes”. Long engagements and extended discovery phases are increasingly unattractive, particularly for clients under pressure on cost and capacity.