2024 Winners | APM Awards
Company of the Year Award | TEAMWORK - MIGSO-PCUBED (UK)
MIGSO-PCUBED (MP) is a values-driven project management consultancy. In our 2024 submission we illustrate our contribution to the Project Profession using the ’T’ of our TRIPPLE values - TEAMWORK.
Judges comments: High praise here for a very thoughtful submission. MIGSO-PCUBED is a mature yet evolving organization, committed to broadening recruitment across diversities, providing ongoing opportunities for development and leadership, and sharing learnings. The panel highlighted the company’s consistent ability to meet and exceed professional standards, called attention to its staff awards system based on core values, and praised its hub network - which enhances operational agility across a broad geographic and demographic audience.
Small to Medium Enterprise of the Year Award | Iconic Project Management Ltd
Over the six years since Iconic was founded, the business has grown significantly to a team with five project managers and a turnover of >£1.5M. We are extremely proud of our apprenticeship scheme, investing in talented individuals at the start of their careers and nurturing them into exceptional project professionals.
Judges comments: Iconic is a young business that’s rapidly gaining traction in a competitive sector, despite the distractions of COVID. The judges were particularly impressed by their commitment to personal development and innovation. The panel highlighted Ionic’s quarterly thinking day as a great example of encouraging innovation and good practice - resulting in a free online tooL for SMEs that can’t afford to pay for a PM. Overall, a very polished team with a clear message - for just seven people, they pack a real punch.
Public Sector Organisation of the Year Award | Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S)
Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) holds a unique position in Government and the Defence Sector, equipping and supporting the UK Armed Forces. We employ over 11,500 people and deliver over 600 projects adapting at pace to emerging threats and world events.
We work with armed forces and industry partners to deliver an annual programme that exceeds £13 billion and includes some of the most complex programmes in the world.
Judges comments: A very strong entry, praised by the panel for innovative projects with tight deadlines and high uncertainty, and ambiguity. A sophisticated project environment, supported by robust training, led to effective partnerships with NHS and defence suppliers - and the team received particular praise for the organisation’s ability to manage complex defence projects in a challenging geopolitical landscape.
Engineering, Construction & Infrastructure of the Year Award | Bovarius Renewable Natural Gas Project - Shell
Shell’s second dairy-to-renewable natural gas (RNG) project, Bovarius, is part of a programme to build a new, sustainable, circular business.
RNG has a lower life-cycle carbon intensity than traditional natural gas and its lifecycle creates a circular economy while reducing harmful emissions in dairy farm operations.
The Bovarius project was completed ahead of schedule, under budget, exceeding production plans, and with excellent safety. The team’s efforts helped exceed project goals and demonstrated that innovation and collaboration are key to developing the business models and fuels of the future, to deliver more value for society and shareholders with fewer emissions.
Judges comments: A fascinating environmental project - and an opportunity to utilize core project skills in an entirely new environment. Shell has a particularly rigorous approach to project management, and the programme was faced with specific challenges when new stakeholders and physical areas were engaged: nevertheless, the project has already shown clear benefits in both the short and long term, with a committed team that will continue to bring learnings to future projects.
Social Project of the Year Award | The Scholarship Program - Royal Commission for AlUla
The Scholarship Project, birthed from Saudi Vision 2030, aims to transform AlUla into a cultural, heritage, and eco-tourism hub, enhancing local educational and professional opportunities.
It promotes economic diversification and sustainable development, balancing gender and specialization diversity to empower the local community. A unique governance model supports this initiative, allowing flexibility for students studying abroad, and providing extensive pre-departure training through AlUla Language Institute.
The project has successfully integrated over 1000 students, fostering a skilled workforce committed to regional growth. This transformative project highlights the effective alignment of educational initiatives with national development goals, and steps forward toward AlUla vision.
Judges comments: The Scholarship Programme is an exciting development in building people before place, which has already enjoyed great progress in achieving its outcomes. The project is designed to develop eco tourism and support local communities, identifying opportunities for growth both on an international level and among local people. The judges commended the team for their passion, their understanding of the need to leverage global expertise, and their well structured, inclusive approach.
Technology Project of the Year Award | Intelligent Project Prediction; Unlocking the Power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) capability - MIGSO-PCUBED
This submission describes an innovative and technology-based project combining the skills and experience of MIGSO-PCUBED, greyfly.ai and DHL.
Recent advancements have unlocked the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) capability to support data-driven decisions, to improve efficiency in project management and to improve project outcomes.
The Intelligent Project Prediction (IPP) platform uses advanced analytics and machine learning to predict project outcomes to enable better risk focus, to improve decision-making, and to enhance project management maturity.
Judges comments: An innovative and fascinating program, Intelligent Project Prediction utilizes AI to enhance project outcomes and predict performance. Results in the UK pilot, focused on delivery for DHL Worldwide, have been exceptionally positive to date, covering all areas of delivery, and paying particular attention to security and data privacy.
Transformation Project of the Year Award | Core Valley Lines Transformation Programme - Transport for Wales
This entailed a £1.5 billion investment and once in a generation to deliver electrification amounting to 170km of track, installation of brand-new signalling across the network, controlled from a new purpose build Integrated Control Centre in Taff’s Well, the introduction of £800 million worth of brand-new trains, upgrades to stations, and the construction of two new railway stations.
Judges comments: The Core Valley Lines Transformation Programme is a £1.5 billion initiative aimed at revitalizing Cardiff’s economy and addressing socio-economic disparities in the South Wales Valleys. It involves electrifying 170km of track, upgrading signalling systems, introducing new trains, and enhancing stations, alongside building two new railway stations. The programme has had to overcome political negotiations, stakeholder management, and environmental impacts - as well as introduce innovative sustainable modular buildings. All our judges agreed this was a great submission, enhanced by exceptional levels of personal commitment.
Programme of the Year Award | The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) Programme - Health and Safety Executive, PA Consulting and Codec
In the wake of the 2017 Grenfell tragedy that took the lives of 72 residents, including 18 children, Dame Judith Hackitt’s report exposed how the regulatory system covering high-rise and complex buildings was not fit for purpose.
Following this, the Building Safety Act (2022) tasked HSE with establishing a major programme to design and deliver the new Building Safety Regulator. Collaborative working between 350+ FTEs across HSE, external partners and government departments led to a new regulatory organisation underpinned by 8 public-facing digital services to be successfully delivered to fixed legislative deadlines within two years.
Judges comments: This is a very strong project with a clear purpose and long term benefits, delivered on time and within budget. Challenging and very much in the public eye, it requires significant work to improve the safety of buildings in the UK - with immediate and long-term improvements already in place. A transformative programme that will have an impact long into the future.
APM Sustainability Award | Schools Water Strategy - Department for Education
The Department for Education’s Schools Water Strategy delivers multiple flood related projects.
The purpose of the strategy is to mitigate flooding experienced by schools through implementing resilience measures including nature-based solutions.
The strategy works with several significant stakeholders; Lead Local Flood authorities, Water Companies and the Environment Agency in order to ensure that schools and local communities are protected, taking into consideration existing green infrastructure such as natural habitats and green spaces. This not only keeps children in school but enables them to learn about the dangers of climate change and the importance of sustainable measures in practical outdoor settings.
Judges comments: Some real light bulb moments here. Developed to mitigate the effects of flooding in schools, the Department of Education’s project was designed to help schools implement resilience measures and enable future generations to learn about climate change and of sustainability. The submission included a clear organizational design, delivering fantastic stakeholder engagement and helping schools access funds to support ongoing sustainability.
PMO of the Year Award | AlphaPlus Consultancy Project Management Community (PMO) - AlphaPlus Consultancy Ltd
AlphaPlus Consultancy Ltd (APM Corporate Partner) is the winner of the Developmental Programme of the Year Award (2024 APM Education and Research Awards).
We are a project-driven small-size education service consultancy focused on effectively delivering worldwide, a diverse range of projects in standards, assessment, and certification, by providing our clients with high-quality innovative products and services (e-assessments Project of the Year Winner 2020), whilst growing rapidly (£4.4M of 20 employees in 2020, to £8.5M of 60 employees in 2024, and at the same time maintaining our company culture and values (Best company to work for Award 2024).
Judges comments: A small but perfectly formed team, Alpha Plus have achieved a lot in a short space of time. They were commended for balancing innovation with the need to meet multi-million programme delivery deadlines, and for building a remarkably positive culture through their development of people, systems and processes. The judges were particularly impressed by their work on Diversity, Educational Assessment, and Sustainability and Economic Assessments - aiming to achieve ISO14001 by end of the year. Congratulations to Alpha Plus!
Emerging Project Professional of the Year Award | Kiara Orchard, Sellafield Ltd
Having completed Project Management Degree Apprenticeship in 2023 and have since progressed to Assistant Project Manager, owning key work packages across multiple projects.
I have played a leading role in several company initiatives as a committed volunteer. I support the Calder Heat Exchanger Deplanting project, delivering the removal of 6 Heat Exchangers (weighing 360 tonnes and over 23m high) from the original reactor buildings. I have led critical work to characterise the Heat Exchangers and ground investigations to initiate the design of the Heat Exchanger Laydown Slab. I have also led on implementing Urgent Access Sanitary Supplies across Sellafield.
Judges comments: Engaging and passionate, Kiara has demonstrated an ability to work with and influence a wide range of project teams and customer stakeholders. She’s committed to using the full range of PM tools and behaviors to get the best out of a project team and to look after their well-being and development. Equally focused on personal growth, she plans to increase her knowledge and capability, giving back to the project management community and staying up to speed with the demands of the profession. Well done, Kiara!
Project Professional of the Year Award | Harriet Brennan, Deloitte
Harriet established Deloitte’s UK Office of GenAI (OGAI) to drive the use of GenAI tools across the company. She managed governance across UK workstreams and coordinated with North-South-Europe and Global counterparts. OGAI’s short-term benefit was developing a bespoke GenAI tool called PairD, which saved 10,000+ working days in FY24. Long-term objectives included deploying GenAI tools to clients and contributing to the ”AI for Good” initiative. Harriet implemented a fortnightly governance process and detailed plan management to monitor progress and achieve success.
Judges comments: Always informed and well-prepared, Harriet has demonstrated exceptional project management skills, innovative approaches, and a focus on delivering quality results that benefit the organization, the team, customers, and wider stakeholders. Her technical competence, strategic approach, and leadership were key factors in overcoming challenges and achieving project objectives.
Chartered Project Professional of the Year Award | Charlotte Blewitt, National Highways
As a Chartered Project Professional, I’m accountable for and involved in supporting nationally significant road improvements projects in the identification and embedment of efficiencies.
This work has been vital in enabling National Highways to deliver the latest Road Investment Strategy to budget, on time and to a high quality for our customers. Striving for continuous improvement, transformation and maturation of National Highways processes and ways of working is a strong passion in all of the work I do.
Responsible for realising multi-million pounds of efficiencies and achieving right first time behaviours.
Judges comments: Equally strong on professional development and project delivery, Charlotte has shown a deep understanding of ethical practice. Thoroughly committed to sustainability, she consistently focuses on the importance of personal and team carbon footprints through forums, site visits, and team socials. A clear and concise communicator, she frequently goes outside her day to day role to secure funding for a project - and show how it positively impacts society. An impressive talent and one to watch for the future!
Safe Project Management of the Year Award | 2 Million Construction Hours without a Lost Time Injury on HMNB Devonport 10 Dock Redevelopment - Babcock International Group
Babcock International Group’s Major Infrastructure Programme (MIP) has been established to oversee a portfolio of significant design and construction of facilities and infrastructure at Devonport Royal Dockyard (Devonport).
The MIP 10 Dock Redevelopment Project is delivering an Astute Class submarine overhaul facility. The project has completed all enabling works, including demolition of existing buildings and cranes, services removal, roads and networks enhancements, wall and floor stabilisation, and the introducing of temporary accommodation. Over two million construction hours have been achieved within the CDM site so far, and all without a single Lost Time Injury.
Judges comments: A very impressive entry from Babcock- with a result that’s hard to ignore: two million hours without Lost Time Accidents. Located on an island site, within a large military dockyard, the Project Management Plan set out clear safety objectives - not only for the workforce, but also contractors, customers and the public. Particular praise from the panel for integrating Babcock’s best in class ethos, which will drive a culture of safety across the organization in future.
Innovation in Project Management Award | Intelligent Project Prediction; Unlocking the Power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) capability - MIGSO-PCUBED
This submission describes an innovative and technology-based project combining the skills and experience of MIGSO-PCUBED, greyfly.ai and DHL.
Recent advancements have unlocked the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) capability to support data-driven decisions, to improve efficiency in project management and to improve project outcomes.
The Intelligent Project Prediction (IPP) platform uses advanced analytics and machine learning to predict project outcomes to enable better risk focus, to improve decision-making, and to enhance project management maturity.
Judges comments: We all have a lot to learn about the future impact of AI - and this submission has a lot to tell us about its successful implementation in Project Management. MIGSO-PCUBED showed they were at the cutting edge, using AI to deliver positive results in project reporting, and helping to predict performance without relying on PM instincts. This project’s innovative use of AI has made a demonstrable difference to effective project delivery in two specific areas – the quality of the data and the ability to manage budgets and prevent overspend. Building confidence in the robustness and value of AI and in addition, by reducing failures and wastage has made a significant contribution to sustainability.
Project Management Challenge Award | Synergy, Babcock International Group - APM South Wales and West of England Regional Network
Team Synergy (Babcock, Devonport Plymouth) worked with Ash Rescue Centre, a Dartmouth based charity, providing a permanent and holistic retirement home for horses, donkeys, and other animals, whilst at the same time creating and sustaining habitats that encourage wildlife, birds, and native plant species.
Ash Rescue had no way of monitoring or tracking sponsorships, and hence the team delivered a customer relationship management system which links to their website and payment system. The charity has already reaped multiple benefits from the implementation of the new software and have seen an astounding increase in sponsors since project handover.
Judges comments: If you want evidence that skilled project management can be applied anywhere look no further than Team Synergy’s work for the Ash Rescue Centre in Dartmouth. The charity provides a permanent retirement home for horses, donkeys, and other animals, whilst at the same time creating habitats for wildlife and plants. With no way of monitoring sponsorships, Synergy developed a new customer relationship management system, linked to the website and payment system, that’s delivered an astounding increase in sponsor revenue.
Overall Project of the Year Award | Core Valley Lines Transformation Programme - Transport for Wales
This entailed a £1.5 billion investment and once in a generation to deliver electrification amounting to 170km of track, installation of brand-new signalling across the network, controlled from a new purpose build Integrated Control Centre in Taff’s Well, the introduction of £800 million worth of brand-new trains, upgrades to stations, and the construction of two new railway stations.