Project Professional of the Year Award
Finalists for this category have now been announced.
Recognising project professionals in all sectors making a significant contribution to the outcomes and benefits of their project(s) and/or programme(s) through excellent project delivery.
Successful project professionals drive and lead the creation of an environment that makes things happen. They carefully balance technical and management skills whilst also juggling different views and perspectives, backgrounds and personalities. They progress and focus team performance to deliver benefits to their client and other stakeholders. Judges are looking for project professionals who can demonstrate these skills in abundance to deliver significant project and/or programme benefits.
This award is open to project, programme or portfolio managers and practitioners of any age, with more than three years’ experience in their project management career.
We require entrants to this category to produce a submission of up to 1,000 words (in English) based on the judging criteria through delivery of a project or programme where their involvement has been greater than six months. Entrants may also submit up to four pieces of supporting evidence - images or graphics only (no text apart from captions). Evidence must support information already included in the submission and must not introduce additional elements. Please see further details on the ‘Supporting evidence’ tab of the Awards platform. Video and audio are not accepted as part of the submission.
The Project Professional of the Year category is a two-stage judging category, the first stage is the written submission mentioned above and the second stage requires all finalists to present virtually to a panel of judges.
Project professionals from across the globe may apply. In this category we also encourage nominations (with the individual’s approval) from employers or colleagues. Please note that we can only accept one entry per nominee.
Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on 18 November.
Congratulations and good luck to all our finalists...
Finalist | 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. The programme was completed on time, creating £8.3m revenue in FY24 and projected £60m Return on Investment in FY25.
Finalist | Tom Edge, R&D, Network Rail
Network Rail (NR) R&D are proud to nominate Tom Edge for the Project Professional of the Year.
He manages two complex, but very successful, programmes of R&D work. Tom has used his exceptional skills in project, stakeholder and change management; as well as his long experience in the operational railway (Tom joined NR as a frontline apprentice in 2005) to deliver projects that have realised substantial benefit.
He has overcome technical, operational and political challenges to realise project benefits. He has built a committed, motivated and talented project team that have the capability to tackle even the most challenging projects.
Finalist | Ehsan Gerami, Mott MacDonald
Ehsan Gerami’s leadership in the Star Salford Academy project epitomises excellence in project management.
With over a decade of experience and a PhD in Construction Management, Ehsan led the £18.8 million project to timely completion, utilising innovative construction methods and fostering team collaboration.
His strategic approach resulted in a significant reduction in delivery time and substantial cost savings, while successfully managing the engagement with the local community through apprenticeships and educational programs.
Ehsan’s commitment to sustainability and stakeholder satisfaction has set new benchmarks, earning the project a shortlist for the ICE Civil Engineering Award and establishing lasting client relationships.
Finalist | Laurie Oxford, CPC Project Services
Laurie Oxford is a Senior Project Manager at CPC Project Services who has been part of the company since 2018.
Laurie was seconded into Heathrow Airport’s Surface Access team working on Heathrow’s ANPR Camera Upgrade and Systems Upgrades for the Terminal’s Drop-Off Charge, Laurie successfully delivered the project and identified further opportunities to improve the scheme which resulted in enhanced revenue which will be used to develop sustainable transport options at Heathrow as part of Heathrow’s surface access strategy.
Laurie’s leadership navigated team changes and challenges, maintaining project delivery and stakeholder engagement.
Finalist | Georgina Stalker, National Nuclear Laboratory
Georgina was pivotal to the successful completion of the Periodic Safety Review allowing the Nuclear facility to remain functioning and operational for the next 10 years.
Having delivered the project on time to the regulator, with no quality issues and heavily under budget, the customer says this is the first time they have ever signed a change control on receiving funds back from a project into the business.