XTPMedia named Independent Business Consultancy of the Year at the UK Business Awards 2026 Regional Awards
XTPMedia is proud to announce that it has been named Independent Business Consultancy of the Year at the UK Business Awards 2026 - Regional Awards.
The award recognises the remarkable progress made by the consultancy since its launch in April 2025 and acknowledges its growing reputation for helping organisations build stronger, higher-performing strategic partnerships through trust, collaboration and leadership.
Founded by Pieter Johnson, XTPMedia was established with a simple but ambitious vision: to help organisations unlock greater value from their partnerships by placing trust at the centre of commercial relationships.
Just over a year later, that vision has evolved into a growing body of research, thought leadership and practical consultancy that is influencing organisations across both the public and private sectors.
A major milestone in XTPMedia's first year was the publication of Pieter's white paper, Trusted Partnerships – Unlocking the Value in Strategic Alliances. The paper explores how trust can become a measurable driver of organisational performance and has generated significant interest from senior leaders, practitioners and academic institutions in the UK and internationally.
The research has also led to a series of published articles, keynote discussions and the continued development of practical frameworks that help organisations strengthen collaboration, improve strategic alliances and create long-term value.
Reflecting on the award, Pieter Johnson said:
"When I founded XTPMedia, I wanted to create a consultancy that challenged conventional thinking about organisational performance. We invest enormous effort in contracts, governance and process, yet the quality of the relationships between organisations often determines whether partnerships truly succeed.
Receiving this award is incredibly humbling. It reflects the confidence our clients have placed in us, the encouragement of colleagues and friends, and the willingness of organisations to embrace a different way of thinking about partnerships.
I am especially grateful to Amanda, whose belief and support made it possible to turn an idea into a business, and to every client and partner who has joined us on this journey."
The award represents an important milestone in XTPMedia's journey, but it also marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Building on the success of the white paper, the consultancy is continuing its research into trusted partnerships, expanding its advisory services and developing new thought leadership to help organisations create stronger, more resilient strategic alliances.
As businesses and public sector organisations navigate increasing complexity, technological change and the growing influence of artificial intelligence, XTPMedia believes that trust will become an even more important competitive advantage.
This recognition reinforces the consultancy's commitment to helping organisations build partnerships that deliver lasting value—not simply through better contracts, but through stronger relationships, shared purpose and mutual success.
17th July 2026
The Trust Gap in AI Partnerships
AI adoption in organisations grew by over 100 per cent between 2023 and 2024. The evidence suggests that Trust has not kept pace.
For those who build partnerships, this is not just a technology problem.
When AI is integrated thoughtfully into strategic alliances, the benefits are substantial. Cycle speed, data use and outputs all increase to benefit the customer.
14th July 2026
In Procurement Magazine Feature
This article was published in In-procurement Magazine June 2026. In this article, we discuss how public sector buyers can use the UK Procurement Act to build trust into strategic partnerships rather than assuming it will be there after the contract is awarded.
As well as thought leadership and practical guidance for senior procurement and commercial teams across UK public services, it sets out a clear, evidence-based case for treating trust as a measurable performance driver in complex programmes.
7th July 2026
XTP announces new book ‘Constant Endeavour - RAF Coastal Command’
XTP announces the release of Constant Endeavour – RAF Coastal Command, the first book from author and consultant Pieter Johnson. The audiobook and ebook examine RAF Coastal Command through the works of leading historians, authors, and researchers, offering an accessible account for aviation enthusiasts, historians, and general readers interested in the air war at sea.
1st July 2026
Trusted Partnerships: Navigating LGR and the Regional Shift
LGR is unsettling in practical ways. Those working in highways and transport know that geography and governance will change. New structures, hierarchies and cultures are coming. What is less clear is what the “other side” will look like in day to day service delivery.
26th June 2026
Aerospace Magazine Feature
Aviation is built on trust, but could trusted partnerships give it the tools to do what it does so well in the cockpit at a more organisational and strategic level? PIETER JOHNSON discusses the organisation’s recent white paper on the subject.
Trusted Partnerships - Accelerated cycles in a safety critical world
9th June 20 2026
The Partnership Edge - Top 3 Management Podcast
The Partnership Edge Podcast: Trust in Strategic Alliances has achieved immediate recognition. It has reached number 3 in the Goodpods Top 100 Management Weekly chart and secured a place among the platform’s leading management shows.
This reflects strong early engagement from leaders and practitioners across sectors.
3 in Top Management Weekly Chart
7 in Top 100 Management Monthly chart
40 in Top 100 Business Weekly chart
67 in Top 100 Business Monthly chart
This early success shows a growing demand for deeper, experience based insight into how trust accelerates collaboration, unlocks value and improves long term partnership performance.
13th May 2026
XTP LinkedIn Blog
WHEN DID SPONSORSHIP BECOME THE QUALIFICATION FOR EXPERTISE?
Our blog on why thought leadership is not the sole source of large organisations.
16th April 2026
XTP launches new podcast
'The Partnership Edge - Trust in Strategic Alliances'
Drawing from the Trusted Partnerships white paper, discover lessons from leaders who've mastered trust in complex ecosystems.
Hear how top alliance leaders apply The Six Trust Behaviours, the Trust Clock, The Balance of Fairness and the Balance of Power
and how the Trusted Partnership Charter principles transform relationships and drive greater outcomes.
Listen, learn and adopt proven strategies from experienced guest speakers
31st March 2026
How PR professionals can embed trust
Pieter Johnson was recently interviewed by the award-winning journalist Christian Koch for CIPR Influence, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations digital magazine and a hub for the PR industry's best blogs.
"How PR professionals can embed trust in client relationships" talks about how to make trust the cornerstone of every partnership for PR and comms professionals.
The article is currently accessible to CIPR members, with plans to expand its reach soon.
17th March 2026
Trusted Partnerships
White Paper
We are delighted to announce the release of the XTP White Paper - Trusted Partnerships - Unlocking The Value In Strategic Alliances.
You can access a copy by clicking on the picture.
5th Feb 2026