The European
Turnaround Practitioner
of the Year
Award
2026
The European Turnaround Practitioner of the Year Award, established by EACTP, recognises outstanding professional judgment, leadership and integrity in challenging and high-impact turnaround situations. It reflects the standards by which our profession is defined and upheld.
THE 2026 OFFICIAL SELECTION
Celebrating Excellence in European Turnaround and Restructuring
Stewart Higginson
Operational Recovery
Roel Nizet
Stakeholder Alignment
Ioana Necula
Structural Renewal
David Hole
Fiduciary Integrity
Christian Klingler
Supply Chain Strategy
About The Award
The European Turnaround Practitioner of the Year Award, established by EACTP, recognises outstanding professional judgment, leadership, and integrity in challenging and high-impact turnaround situations. It reflects the standards by which our profession is defined and upheld. This inaugural distinction is not merely an accolade; it is the definitive recognition of technical mastery and value preservation within the European restructuring market.
THE GRAND FINALE
The 2026 Official Selection has been announced.
Finalists Recognition Gala — 3 June, Palazzo Cusani.
& Masterclass with Peter Charles — 4 June, PwC Tower.
THE BOARD ASSESSMENT
The Official Selection is the result of a comprehensive technical evaluation conducted by the EACTP Standards and Admissions Committee. Candidates are assessed not on market visibility, but on forensic evidence of execution. The Board applies uncompromising criteria: operational recovery, fiduciary discipline and structural impact under severe distress. This shortlist constitutes a formal citation of professional merit.
Alain Le Berre, CTP
Founder, Alpaha Consulting
EACTP President
Boudewijn Wellink, CTP
Partner, Eight Advisory
EACTP Board & SAC Member
Maria Pombo, CTP
Director, Be Rescued
EACTP Board & SAC Member
Timeline & Key Dates
31 March 2026
Nomination deadline
24 April 2026
Official Shortlist Announced
by 7 May 2026
Final decision
3 & 4 June 2026
Winner confirmation and Presentation at the TMA Europe Conference in Milan
Eligibility Criteria
The Award recognises individuals, not firms. Eligible candidates must:
- Be an active turnaround practitioner or investor in distressed businesses
- Have held a senior, decision-making role in one or more challenging turnaround situations
- Have a minimum of 10 years’ relevant professional experience
- Have led or played a decisive role in turnaround situations located in Europe (irrespective of personal geographic base)
- Not be a member of the Awards Committee or governing body
Assessment Criteria & Weightings
High-level overview to support transparency and credibility:
- Turnaround impact and complexity – 30%
- Leadership and decision-making under pressure – 30%
- Professional excellence, independence, judgment and ethical conduct – 20%
- Innovation, creativity or distinctive approach – 20%
Nomination Rules
- The Award is designed primarily as a form of peer recognition within the turnaround community.
- Nominations may be submitted by professional peers, clients, lenders, advisors or other stakeholders with direct knowledge of the nominee’s role and impact.
- Individuals who believe their work meets the criteria are also welcome to submit a nomination, provided that independent referees and supporting evidence are included.
- Initial Nomination Submission (Nominator Stage)
- Upon receipt and preliminary review , EACTP may invite the nominee to complete the formal submission process.
- Promotional or purely branding-driven submissions, unsupported claims or ethical breaches will not be considered.
- Nominators may request that their identity remain confidential.
The Nomination Requirements & Process
Following initial nomination, shortlisted candidates will be invited to complete the formal submission process.
The Nominee Submission must include:
1. Written Case Narrative
Up to 1,000 words outlining:
- Context and complexity of the situation
- The nominee’s specific role and decision-making authority
- Actions taken
- Outcomes achieved
- Professional significance of the mandate
2. Supporting Evidence (Minimum Two Items)
Supporting evidence may include, but is not limited to:
- Financial or operational performance metrics (before/after data)
- Court orders, restructuring plans, or formal approvals
- Board minutes or creditor confirmations (redacted as necessary)
- Independent stakeholder testimonials
- Media or press coverage
- Transaction summaries or public filings
- Independent professional references
All confidential information may be redacted appropriately.
3. Independent Referee Endorsements
Minimum two independent referees (300–500 words each), able to attest to:
- The nominee’s role
- The quality of judgment exercised
- Professional integrity
- Impact on stakeholders
4. Administrative completeness check by the EACTP Secretariat
5. Review and evaluation by the Awards Committee, applying the published criteria and weightings
6. Shortlisting and final determination of the Laureate
Governance & Adjudication
All nominations will be reviewed by an Awards Committee composed of senior, independent practitioners appointed by the EACTP. A structured and impartial review process will be applied, including conflict-of-interest safeguards.
Laureate Recognition
The European Turnaround Practitioner of the Year Award will be formally presented on 3 June 2026 at the Pre-Conference Dinner of the TMA Europe Annual Conference in Milan. Shortlisted nominees will be invited to attend the Pre-Conference Dinner as guests of the EACTP. Attendance to receive the Award in person is a condition of acceptance, subject only to exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Awards Committee.
Confidentiality & Shortlisting
Shortlisted nominees may be publicly acknowledged as finalists, subject to their consent. The Laureate will be formally announced at the Milan presentation.