Who I help

Economic development agencies. Government bodies. Professional services firms. SME’s.

How I help

Project management. Stakeholder Engagement. Communication. Business Analysis.

Sectors

Public sector. Higher education. Energy.

“For me, it’s about facilitating meaningful change that can be sustained”

Kirsty Ness is a Consultant based in our Edinburgh Office. She works closely with organisations to support them in driving impactful and sustainable transformation. Her role involves supporting clients through complex challenges, providing practical solutions, and helping teams deliver meaningful change. From analysing data to facilitating training and workshops, Kirsty thrives on solving problems and delivering results that matter.

With a passion for collaboration and a focus on the human side of change, Kirsty brings clarity, structure, and empathy to every project. Whether it’s tackling intricate issues or helping organisations work smarter, she ensures solutions are tailored to each client’s unique needs and goals.

The reward of seeing real results

What motivates me most is seeing the tangible impact our work has on organisations and their people; it’s incredibly rewarding to help navigate complex challenges and achieve lasting results. The variety is also great as it keeps me on my toes – one day I might be delivering presentation and communications skills training, and the next I’m supporting the creation of a new clinical trials unit!

Overcoming the fear of change

The greatest challenge in delivering transformation projects is helping organisations and individuals overcome the natural human aversion to change – even the word ‘change’ is most often interpreted negatively. People can feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or resistant, which is why I focus on the people side of transformation rather than just the mechanics. It’s about creating trust, fostering open conversations, and ensuring everyone feels heard and involved. Consistent and transparent communication plays a huge role, as does building a positive and supportive culture where change feels less like something being done to people and more like something they are part of. By understanding each organisation’s unique context and tailoring the approach, I help make transitions feel not only achievable but also an opportunity for growth and progress.

The potential of emerging technologies

I’m really excited about diving deeper into how emerging technologies can help organisations work smarter, not harder. It’s fascinating to see how tools like AI can transform ways of working while keeping the human element front and centre. I’m also looking forward to learning and developing from team members with deep capability and expertise in areas I’m just beginning to immerse myself in – I’m very fortunate that there’s no shortage of opportunities for this at AAB.

Collaboration is key

Collaboration is our superpower. Consulting often requires bringing together cross-functional teams, and I find that incredibly rewarding. Working in this way demonstrates how individual strengths combine to deliver outcomes greater than any one person could achieve alone. I really enjoy the collaborative nature of our work as every project is a chance to learn from people with different backgrounds, skillsets, and experiences – whether that’s working closely with clients to understand their unique challenges or bouncing ideas around within the team.

Balancing the detail with the bigger picture

One of the things I pride myself on is my eye for detail. I really relish the opportunity to dive deep into a complex problem, ensuring no stone is left unturned to make sure all the bases are covered. At the same time, I always make sure to keep the bigger picture in mind. I find a lot of fulfilment in finding that balance – being thorough in my analysis while still staying aligned with the overarching goals.

Practical solutions, not generic frameworks

I’d say the biggest misconception about consulting is that we parachute in with generic solutions or theoretical frameworks that don’t reflect the reality of the client’s world. For me, consulting is about collaboration and co-creating practical, tailored solutions that align with the client’s culture and challenges. When done right, it’s less about “telling” and more about facilitating meaningful change that can be sustained long after our involvement ends.