Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered membership organisation for the project profession, is proud to announce the appointment of Carolyn Brown as a new member of its Board of Trustees. Here, Carolyn shares her views on issues affecting the profession and how she will help APM achieve its strategic goals. Tell us about your professional background When I left university, I ended up working at Avis car rental and leasing. At the time, Avis was rolling out a new mainframe system and everybody in the company, even me who had just joined, had to complete the system training. As it turned out, I really enjoyed the training and I finished it very quickly, so they asked me to help with their training programme for the system rollout. That was really the start of my career in tech, because I very quickly became involved in, not just the training of the system itself, but also in the development and project management of the programmes that sat in the mainframe. Subsequently, I worked for Hilton International looking after software developers and systems for four years. I then became an IT Director for an international law firm and from there moved to…
Tech giant IBM (NYSE: IBM) and real estate services leader JLL (NYSE: JLL) announced a collaborative effort today, unveiling a global sustainability solution designed specifically for the commercial real estate (CRE) sector. This new offering combines JLL’s established sustainability services, including decarbonization strategies, with IBM’s cutting-edge Envizi technology. This powerful duo provides CRE organizations with a comprehensive solution for managing and reporting ESG data across their real estate portfolios. Addressing the Sustainability Data Gap The solution comes at a critical time. JLL’s research report, “The Green Tipping Point,” predicts significant growth in demand for sustainable office space within the next 24 months. However, another report by the IBM Institute for Business Value, “The ESG Data Conundrum,” identifies a concerning gap in integrating ESG metrics into core business functions across organizations. With IBM Envizi, CRE companies can bridge this gap. The solution empowers them to capture and manage crucial ESG data, enabling informed decision-making and transparent public reporting on their sustainability efforts. Enhanced Sustainability Performance for JLL Clients JLL recognizes the vital role robust data management plays in helping clients achieve their sustainability goals. This collaboration makes IBM Envizi a key component of their existing Sustainability Program Management solution. With the…
Savills, a leading global real estate advisor, has bolstered its Building & Project Consultancy (BPC) division with the appointment of Paul Harper as Director in its Technical Due Diligence (TDD) team. Based at the firm’s Margaret Street headquarters, Harper will play a pivotal role in expanding the team’s capabilities nationally and internationally. With over 25 years of industry experience, Harper brings a wealth of knowledge in providing TDD and development monitoring services to a diverse client base, including institutional investors seeking debt or equity funding. He has a proven track record in managing complex TDD processes across the UK and mainland Europe, with a particular focus on large-scale Build to Rent (BTR) and private for sale residential developments. Prior to joining Savills, Harper held senior positions at Colliers and JLL, as well as spending six years in central Europe with King Sturge. Paul Harper comments: “I am very excited to be joining Savills market leading TDD team. This continues to be an interesting time for the real estate sector, with due diligence now more important to clients than ever as they seek to make sustainable, future proofed investments.” Steve Page, head of the TDD team at Savills, adds: “We are…
MIGSO-PCUBED (MP), a global leader in project, program, portfolio, and change management consultancy, has announced the opening of its fourth UK office in Birmingham. This strategic expansion underscores the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional services to clients across the UK. Located in the iconic Alpha Tower, the new office will serve as a hub for MP’s growing client base in the Midlands. The company plans to create over 100 new jobs in the region over the next few years, contributing to the local economy and talent pool. “We are thrilled to establish a presence in Birmingham,” said Richard Siddle, MP UK General Manager. “This city is known for its vibrant business environment and rich history in innovation. Our new office will enable us to be closer to our clients in the Midlands, fostering stronger partnerships and delivering tailored solutions.” Pooja Jobanputra, Midlands Hub Director, added, “Birmingham’s dynamic ecosystem and central location make it an ideal hub for our operations. By expanding here, we are not only bringing new job opportunities but also establishing a strong local presence that will drive meaningful engagement with our clients and the broader community. This office symbolises our dedication to fostering growth and delivering exceptional…
The Association for Project Management (APM) has announced the appointment of Professor Mike Bourne as Managing Editor for the upcoming 8th edition of the APM Body of Knowledge (BoK). This crucial milestone signifies the project’s advancement to the writing phase. Professor Bourne, a renowned Professor of Business Performance at Cranfield University, brings a wealth of experience to the role. He boasts a distinguished career in developing project leadership programs and research projects. His extensive body of work includes over 100 publications, including “Moving goals and governance in megaprojects” and “Benefits Realisation: case studies in public major project delivery with recommendations for practice.” “I am thrilled to be a part of this project,” said Professor Bourne on his appointment. “I eagerly anticipate collaborating with APM and its members to deliver a compelling 8th edition of the APM Body of Knowledge.” Scott Walkinshaw, APM’s Head of Knowledge, expressed enthusiasm for Professor Bourne’s leadership. “Professor Bourne’s vast experience across various sectors, combined with his blend of practical and academic expertise, will be invaluable for the next edition,” he stated. Professor Bourne succeeds Professor Carl Gavin, who spearheaded the development and analysis of the 2023 BoK consultation with the project management community. He also…
A new research project, “Retrofit Revisit,” sheds light on the long-term effectiveness of home energy retrofits, providing valuable lessons for future efforts to improve the UK’s housing stock. Led by Marion Baeli of 10 Design and Julie Godefroy of CIBSE, the study examined ten retrofit projects a decade after their initial upgrades. “Retrofit Revisit” was supported by Innovate UK, Historic England, and various industry partners. It focused on diverse housing types across the UK, many of which were considered pioneering “deep retrofit” examples a decade ago. These projects aimed for significant reductions in carbon emissions. The findings are encouraging. Despite some minor fluctuations over time, the retrofitted homes continue to outperform the non-retrofitted housing stock in terms of energy efficiency. Residents also reported increased comfort, particularly during cold weather, and lower energy bills. Marion Baeli, Principal – Sustainability Transformation at 10 Design said:“In publishing “Retrofit Revisit,” our goal is to boost confidence in the lasting benefits of retrofitting while also emphasizing the insights gained from building performance evaluations and identifying areas needing further research to ensure the reliability and longevity of building fabric and operations. Through this collaborative research effort, we aim to support the nationwide retrofitting of existing homes…
CIBSE Certification has launched a new scheme to assess the competency of individuals offering management system specialist services. CIBSE is aware of the challenges facing organisations and consultants operating in the Built Environment, as they drive to implement effective management systems and address challenges e.g. decarbonisation, net zero and the Building Safety Act. In response, CIBSE Certification has launched a new scheme to assess the competency of individuals offering management system specialist services. Kieran O’Brien, Director of CIBSE Certification said: “This scheme should help organisations easily find suitable resources, as they deal with increasing costs, skills shortages, frameworks to manage competency of staff and suppliers”. He went on to add “Consultants can utilise the scheme register offered by CIBSE to demonstrate their capabilities and engage with potential customers”. CIBSE Certification has for many years run accredited schemes and registers for the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme, Low Carbon Consultants, Display Energy Certificates, and Energy Performance Certificates since 2007, and offers management system certification to ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, and 50001. The new Management System Specialist scheme where certified individuals appear on a register will provide invaluable support to help both organisations and consultants engage, as they work together to address Industry…
Project management and integration company Camm-Pro has announced the appointment of five key individuals to its Board of Directors. This strategic move comes as the company experiences a period of sustained growth and expands its project portfolio across various sectors within the energy industry. Strengthening Expertise Across Key Areas The new appointments directly address Camm-Pro’s focus on project delivery excellence and strategic expansion. Positioning for Growth with Robust Governance Managing Director of Camm-Pro, Simon McBain, said: “It is extremely gratifying for me to welcome these individuals to the board. Collectively they bring a wealth of commercial, financial and technical expertise, and their complementary skillsets will safeguard the robust governance of the business, while supporting our growth plans. “The appointments form the cornerstone of our strategy to successfully position Camm-Pro for controlled growth. Combined with our ISO9001 accreditation, we are well-placed to deliver our technical and commercially aligned solutions to an ever-expanding number of projects and developments across the energy sector.” With this strategic expansion of its Board, Camm-Pro positions itself for a future marked by continued growth and industry leadership.
Savills, a leading real estate advisor, has announced the appointment of Steven Brown to its Building & Project Consultancy (BPC) division in London. Brown joins as a Director and will spearhead the firm’s expansion into the growing living sector. Brown brings over 20 years of experience in project management, planning, and delivery across diverse sectors. He has a proven track record in the UK, Middle East, and Australian markets. Most recently, he specialized in multifamily build-to-rent (BtR) developments, working with prestigious clients like British Land, Get Living, Grainger, and Grosvenor Estates. Leading Savills’ Living Sector Growth Based at Savills’ Margaret Street head office, Brown will lead the London living sector team. His focus will encompass residential, BtR, hospitality, and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) projects. Steven Brown comments: “I am delighted to have joined Savills to head-up this exciting new growth area for the division. As we know, confidence is returning in the living sector after a period of sustained cost inflation, constraints on finance and regulatory uncertainty. I believe Savills, as a market leader in residential asset advisory services, is the ideal platform to support investor and developer clients through the project feasibility, design and construction phases of their developments….
The Association for Project Management (APM) has received exciting news, being shortlisted in three categories for the prestigious Memcom Excellence Awards 2024. Celebrating Excellence in the Membership Sector Organised by Memcom, a leadership network dedicated to the professional membership sector, the annual awards recognise outstanding achievements and innovative practices within membership organisations. The awards celebrate the dedication and creativity that fuels the success of these organisations and the individuals who lead them. APM’s Shortlisted Categories: APM’s strong showing in the Memcom Excellence Awards signifies its commitment to excellence across various areas: A Commitment to Value and Impact The Memcom Excellence Awards ceremony will be held on September 26th, 2024, in London. This event serves to celebrate organisations like APM that demonstrably enhance value for their profession and contribute positively to society as a whole. APM’s shortlistings are a testament to their dedication to excellence in both internal initiatives and industry leadership.
