New chief exec for consultants' body MCA

Alan Leaman is the new chief executive of the Management Consultancies Association.

Leaman's background is as an expert PR adviser and media strategist. He joins from the Association of British Insurers, where he served as director of corporate affairs.

He was a senior associate director at Hill & Knowlton, and was chief speech writer and head of office for Paddy Ashdown between 1988 and 1993.

His focus at the MCA will be developing its voice on key issues through the media, and strengthening the association's position on professionalism and integrity.

'Whilst businesses may already be reacting to tougher times in the UK economy by tightening their belts, consultants continue to provide valuable advice on areas such as cost reduction and restructuring. During a downturn, those businesses which execute consultants' advice will ultimately create more value and more jobs,' said Leaman.

'Over the last 50 years, management consulting has been at the forefront of business change - advising clients in good times and in bad.'

Further reading:

Professionalism: protecting the profession's good name

Visit Management Consultancy's website