Emma meets Mike Bourne, professor of Business Performance at Cranfield University and Managing Editor of the APM Body of Knowledge 8th edition.

Mike says a lot has changed in the five years since the previous edition of the APM Body of Knowledge was published. The conversation focuses on what makes for a great project professional in 2025, how to get your head around systems thinking, how to approach AI and what sustainability really means for projects.

Buy the APM Body of Knowledge 8th edition here.

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Adam meets Dhruv Patel, an APM Honorary Fellow and Chief Executive and Founder of the Nisai Group. His company specialises in the delivery of online education services to learners around the world, particularly what it calls ‘non-traditional students’. 

Dhruv shares his experience of project delivery in the education sector, as well as the role of technology and some leadership lessons, too.

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Emma meets Paul Kidston and Carolyn Browning to discuss project controls. The pair are co-authors, along with others, of the new APM book, Project Controls in the 21st Century, available at apm.org.uk/book-shop/project-controls-in-the-21st-century/

Listen on to find out why project controllers should actually be called ‘truth tellers’ and how, in project controls, you need to have both an eye for the technical details and be able to step back and join the strategic dots. But what really matters is the ability to be adept at the people side of things, like communicating well, problem-solving and being a leader who creates the best kind of project culture.

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APM Chief Executive Professor Adam Boddison OBE is joined in conversation by Pierre Le Manh, President and CEO at the Project Management Institute (PMI). Headquartered in the US, PMI is a worldwide professional organisation representing the project profession.

Pierre is an experienced CEO who has worked across several sectors. He was born in France into a “family of entrepreneurs” and moved to the US 12 years ago. He has also spent time working in Paris and London. With Vietnamese heritage on his father’s side, Pierre shares how his multicultural background has given him an appreciation of the diverse strengths of different cultures across PMI’s international community of members.

Listen on to hear him chat with Adam about his career journey, growing the recognition of the project profession and why leaders need to stay calm in a crisis…

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Emma meets Ashleigh Hargrave, Interim Head of Strategy Projects and Management at the King Edward VI Foundation in Birmingham, and David Kitchiner, Head of the Portfolio Office at the RSPB, to find out what it’s like to be leading project management within these two charities, both of which are APM Corporate Partners. They provide a behind-the-scenes look at how project management is woven into the strategic and operational fabric of their organisations. They also give their top tips on project managing in the charity sector and how digital transformation is bringing great benefits.

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Emma meets Frances Palmer, Associate Director at Gleeds; Dave Corbin FAPM, Head of Client Accounts at Gleeds; and leadership and culture coach Anita Phagura, who previously worked in infrastructure project management.

Frances and Dave helped set up APM’s Built Environment Interest Network last year. With a special focus on diversity and inclusion for the week of International Women’s Day, our guests explore how the construction sector can become more diverse and inclusive, what actions really work and how change can be accelerated.

Find Anita’s research at: https://anitaphagura.com/raise-the-bar 

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Emma meets Dr Miranda Loh, Director of Scientific Growth, Engagement and Innovation at the Institute of Occupational Medicine, which is dedicated to enhancing health in workplaces.

Miranda develops the institute’s research capabilities in hazardous substances, exposure assessment, health and wellbeing at work, air pollution and the built environment’s impact on health. While not formally qualified in project management, Miranda is a self-confessed big fan of project management and takes a formal approach to managing all in-house projects.

Listen on to find out how project management can bring value to new sectors. And how project management can be introduced to an organisation not formerly familiar with it.

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Emma speaks to leadership and management expert Jo Owen and Andy Alder, Managing Director of Major Infrastructure Delivery at Anglian Water, about how to delegate. It’s something every project manager or leader needs to understand and practise successfully if they want their teams to achieve things. So, Jo and Andy give us their insider dos and don’ts so that you can hone your mindset and learn how to delegate better. Listen for advice and practical tips that you can use in your projects right away.

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As we often hear on this podcast, being an effective project professional is about more than just managing timelines and budgets. It's also about creating a space where teams can thrive and achieve goals together. But isn't that easier said than done? And how can project managers strike the right balance between technical skills and the emotional intelligence needed to manage teams? Throughout this episode, you'll hear from a range of project professionals who shared with us their personal reflections on the question: what makes a great project manager? 

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Emma meets Suzanne Moreland, Vice President of Programme Management Practice at AECOM, about how to step up from being a project manager to being a programme manager.

Suzanne draws on her vast experience of leading megaprojects and shares her behind-the-scenes lessons from working on some truly mind-blowing programmes. If you are thinking of entering the world of programme management or want to hone your skills and learn from the best, then listen on.

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