Enerpro, an offshore project management and construction specialist, has reaffirmed its commitment to Aberdeen with a significant investment. The company has relocated its headquarters to the city and invested £2 million in new premises in Aberdeen’s west end. This move also includes the creation of over 20 new positions, including two management roles. Managing Director, Mr Wade, explains the strategy behind the company’s investment: “Over the last 24 months Enerpro has tripled its turnover – much of which can be attributed to our activity in the North Sea. In itself, that illustrates the significant potential for our company within the UKCS as we work with our clients to address the energy trilemma, which of course includes supporting their decarbonisation strategies.” The new investment demonstrates Enerpro’s confidence in the future of the North Sea oil and gas industry, particularly with a focus on drilling rig upgrades for both mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs) and fixed offshore platforms. Mr Wade concludes: “The move to our new HQ in Aberdeen reflects our desire to invest in what we very clearly see as the on-going energy capital of Europe. The majority of our North Sea clients are here, the skills are here, and at…
AECOM, a world-renowned infrastructure consultancy, has announced its joint venture with Arup as the design and consenting service partner for the National Grid’s Great Grid Partnership. This partnership signifies a major step forward in the UK’s energy transition strategy. The Great Grid Partnership aims to deliver a comprehensive design and construction programme by 2030. This programme will connect clean energy sources to homes and businesses throughout England and Wales. This critical infrastructure upgrade forms part of a wider £9bn supply chain framework that will support future infrastructure projects beyond 2030. “We’re excited to work with National Grid and our partners to shape the energy transition in England and Wales through the delivery of modern, stable, and flexible grid infrastructure,” said Colin Wood, chief executive of AECOM’s Europe and India region. “Our unrivalled enterprise capabilities enable our teams to draw on a deep, global bench of expertise in grid design, positioning us to not only execute on National Grid’s ambitious objectives but to also meet the unprecedented demand for grid improvements in the region.” This major grid modernisation programme will deliver a fivefold increase in electricity infrastructure over the next six years compared to the past three decades. This significant undertaking…
The Nemetschek Group, a software provider for the architecture, engineering, construction, and operations (AEC/O) and media industries, today announced the launch of its AI Innovation Hub in London. This hub aims to accelerate the adoption of responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) across both sectors. The hub will centralise existing AI activities within the Nemetschek Group, fostering increased productivity and efficiency for internal processes, customers, and partners alike. Importantly, the initiative prioritizes the development and deployment of AI solutions grounded in ethics, trust, and sustainability. This aligns with the core principles established by founder Professor Georg Nemetschek and remains a cornerstone value across all Nemetschek brands. The AI Innovation Hub will focus on creating AI-powered products and solutions specifically tailored to customer needs throughout the entire building lifecycle, from design to construction and operations. Additionally, the hub will explore applications within the media and entertainment industry. Key Initiatives: By establishing this hub, Nemetschek Group aims to solidify its position as a leader in AI-powered software solutions, while remaining firmly human-centric, within both the AEC/O and media and entertainment markets. “Our mission has always been to lead the way in innovation, especially in AEC/O and media and entertainment industries, and this AI Innovation…
The Labour Party in the United Kingdom has outlined its manifesto for renationalising the railways should it come into power after the next General Election. This potential major project proposes a unified and simplified governance structure for the railways, placing passengers at the forefront. It advocates for bringing train operators under public ownership and control. Britain’s railways are an iconic part of the country’s heritage, enabling travel, connection, and economic opportunity for centuries. However, Labour recognises the current frustrations passengers face. Public ownership is seen as a practical solution to improve services where they have fallen short. Labour points to instances where even the Conservative government has brought franchises into public ownership, such as TransPennine Express. Additionally, they reference the public ownership of infrastructure established by the last Labour Government after the collapse of Railtrack. To achieve high service standards, a new body, Great British Railways, will be established. Led by rail professionals, it will be responsible for day-to-day operations, ensuring infrastructure and services work together, and driving innovation for passengers and freight users. Labour’s plan aims to improve the railways for both passengers and taxpayers. It envisions a decade of growth, innovation, and service improvements, with the railways playing…
Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) and multi-disciplinary professional services consultancy WSP have been appointed by Cardiff Council to provide programme and cost management services in support of the delivery of a new public transport system in the Welsh capital. Cardiff Crossrail, utilising tram-train technology, will provide reliable, sustainable, high-capacity, and high-frequency services. The project aligns with the council’s long-term vision to boost public transport use. The project team will work in partnership with Transport for Wales on the delivery of the scheme. Funding comes from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund with match funding from the Welsh Government. Over the next five years, RLB will collaborate with WSP to provide strategic support for Phase 1 of this complex programme. These services will include high-level programme management, cost analysis, and cost management. WSP will also support Cardiff Council in appointing a lead design organisation responsible for managing the design integration of each project area. Andy Stamps, National Head of Infrastructure for RLB UK said: “We know the role that great transportation systems play as drivers of regeneration, economic growth and social mobility of regions. Working with the teams at WSP, Transport for Wales and Cardiff Council, we are looking forward to helping provide…
The UK government is putting its pedal to the metal on transport innovation, launching a new round of the Transport Research and Innovation Grant (TRIG) competition. With a £1.3 million pot up for grabs, the competition aims to unearth and fund cutting-edge projects that can transform the country’s transport landscape. Decarbonisation, Aviation and Technology Minister, Anthony Browne, said: “As part of our plan to improve transport across the country, we’re continuing to back the TRIG competition which has funded hundreds of cutting-edge projects over more than a decade. “Today’s competition launch means projects in their early stages can win tens of thousands of pounds to help improve transport and support skilled UK jobs in the process.” Funding Innovation Across the Transport Spectrum: Organisations and academics can now apply for grants of up to £45,000. This year’s competition prioritizes projects focused on specific areas: TRIG: A Proven Catalyst for Progress: The TRIG competition boasts a decade-long history of success. Over 400 companies have received funding exceeding £14 million, leading to a diverse range of solutions. From improving accessibility to revolutionizing freight delivery, TRIG-backed projects are making a real difference. Erika Lewis, Chief Executive at Connected Places Catapult, said: “Innovation is at the…
The Association for Project Management’s (APM) North East Regional Network has unveiled the finalists for its inaugural Project Management Challenge competition. Since November, teams and mentors from across the region have been diligently working on conceptualising, planning, and delivering projects, gaining valuable hands-on experience in the process. The competition is open to organisations across all sectors with graduate, apprentice, or early-career staff with project management responsibilities, as well as higher education institutions with students enrolled in project management-related courses. Oluwadamilola Oyelude, Team Project Manager for Project for Good, a team representing Teesside University, commented on the experience: “Participating in the APM Project Management Challenge has been an incredible journey filled with excitement, collaboration, and personal growth. From the strategic planning phase to the final report submission, I’ve cherished every moment of tackling challenges alongside my teammates and am immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished together.” Jack Moon, Group Project Manager from Nexus Rail and mentor to the organisation’s team, shared the benefits of participating: “I have personally enjoyed overseeing the project and it has been great to watch Neve, Sam and Steph who are young PM’s at the start of their career plan and lead on this project which will…
A leading academic has called for a fundamental shift in how project management is taught at universities to ensure graduates can address pressing issues like climate change and digital transformation. Professor Christine Unterhitzenberger, Professor of Project Management at the University of Leeds, argues that sustainability and digitalisation need to be central to project management degrees if the profession is to deliver the changes society needs. Professor Unterhitzenberger highlights the lack of clarity surrounding how the goals set at the recent COP28 climate change conference will be achieved. Project, programme, and portfolio management (P3M) professionals will be critical in filling the gaps and delivering change, she says. Universities, therefore, must equip the next generation with the knowledge and skills necessary for this challenge by embedding sustainability into project-related courses. “What’s clear is that there’s no plan for how COP28 targets will be met. It will require substantial transformation of business and society and the project profession will have to play a crucial role. “At the moment, I feel the project profession is waiting for someone else – maybe the government – to put legislation or policy in place and then we [the project profession] follow. As a profession, we need to…
The Association for Project Management (APM) has announced the appointment of new Regional Network Leads and Deputy Leads to champion its local volunteer networks and deliver a wider range of activities for project professionals across the UK. These appointments mark the latest development in APM’s broader volunteer strategy for 2024. Previously known as Branches, the Regional Networks will provide a more flexible and collaborative structure, fostering closer ties between APM and project management communities nationwide. The new selection process for Network Leads and Deputy Leads reflects APM’s commitment to increasing accessibility and awareness of its volunteering opportunities. The recent recruitment campaign has already attracted over 500 applications, with some positions still available. Commenting on the new Network Teams, APM’s Head of Events and Volunteer Engagement, Manuela Impellizzeri Kemp, said: “We’re proud to have such a broad and diverse range of volunteers leading our outreach and specific interest activities. They are a vital link between APM and our thriving project communities and we’re grateful for their commitment to supporting the profession. We hope you can join your local event this year and say hello to your new teams.” The new Regional Network Leads and Deputy Leads are:
The University of Winchester‘s MSc Project Management programme has secured accreditation from the Association for Project Management (APM), the world’s sole chartered membership organisation for the project profession. This accreditation grants Winchester graduates a significant advantage in pursuing Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) status via the Recognised Assessment route. All students will also receive complimentary membership of the APM, gaining access to their extensive resources. The University welcomes the accreditation, which facilitates access to industry leaders and strengthens links with professionals in the field. The one-year programme, led by Caroline Tite, has proven popular with graduates from diverse disciplines, including arts subjects. “The course offers students a wide range of possibilities and provides a valuable opportunity to enter this growing field,” said Ms. Tite. Project management skills are increasingly sought-after in today’s digital age, not just in traditional sectors like manufacturing, construction, and engineering, but also in healthcare, education, tourism, and any organisation undergoing change. The APM describes project management as a “golden thread” that drives quality, efficiency, and effective strategic change across all sectors. Their research shows the UK project management sector generated a substantial £156.5 billion of the UK’s annual gross value added (GVA) in 2019, representing 8.9% of…
