Acorn Awards 2026: Megna Natali, Restaurant Associates

Position Finance manager, Restaurant Associates

Age 28  

Nominator Lizzie Barnett, communications manager, Restaurant Associates

Megna Natali joined Compass Group as a finance assistant and progressed rapidly through Eurest, 14forty and Restaurant Associates, building experience across multiple sectors and contracts. 

Now, as finance manager, she oversees complex client accounts, navigating international accounting and compliance challenges while supporting commercial performance. 

Her impact has been both operational and strategic. Natali redesigned the budgeting process within 14forty by developing a financial planning tool that improved efficiency and strengthened operational engagement with financial targets. She also uncovered supplier billing discrepancies and secured significant cost recoveries and future savings for the business. 

Alongside this, she has helped improve contract performance across multiple accounts, including supporting the turnaround of a contract with a major global financial services corporation into a profit-making position after previously operating at a monthly loss.  

Natali is known for her approachable and collaborative leadership style and she mentors junior colleagues, supports DEI initiatives and regularly steps into wider leadership responsibilities; for example, when several senior finance leaders were absent, Natali helped lead the wider team, ensuring client deliverables, communication and operational priorities remained on track. 

Outside work, she volunteers with organisations including food waste charity FoodCycle, working as a host serving meals to vulnerable community members. She has also worked with Birmingham’s adult social day care organisation the Alderman Bowen Centre, assisting with maintenance of the site by painting the main hall and the fences in preparation for the winter months.