Project Professional of the Year Award

Project Professional of the Year Award

Finalists for this category have now been announced.

Hosted Category, Sponsored by AWE

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 aged 30 years or over at the entry closing date (12 June 2023). 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 supporting images or graphics only (no text apart from captions). Video and audio is not accepted as part of the submission.

This category consists of two stages, the first stage being the written submission mentioned above and the second stage requires all finalists to present virtually to a panel of judges.

In this category we also encourage nominations (with the individual’s approval) from employers or colleagues. Project professionals from across the globe may apply.

Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on 20 November.

Congratulations and good luck to all our finalists...

Dr. Vicknayson Thevendran was appointed in early 2021 as the Project Manager for the 112km greenfield Morava Corridor Motorway in central Serbia which recently opened its first two sections to traffic four months early.

This Project will connect Serbia and Pan-European Corridors in a low-lying flood plain along the Morava River. Vick is a visible leader with 20+ years of experience on highway, rail, and heavy-civil projects having previously performed as the delivery director on the Riyadh Metro Project. He’s committed to our profession, with articles published in project and risk management accepted by the International Journal of Project Management.

Jimmy Nguyen was the project manager on the Bromford & Castle Vale Flood Risk Management Scheme (FRMS) for the Environment Agency. The scheme aimed to reduce flood risk from the River Tame to 1,589 homes and 121 non-residential properties in north Birmingham, resulting in £321m of flood damages avoided. The £35m project included a 2km earth embankment flood defence and large flood walls on the left bank.

Jimmy successfully dealt with stakeholder pressure, garnered support from the local MP and formed a high performing team to deliver this complex project for the overall benefit of the local community.

Demonstrating exceptional stakeholder engagement, innovative thinking and inspirational leadership to overcome unprecedented challenges, Alana Davoren enabled the safe delivery of Barking Riverside Overground rail extension and station opening five months earlier than scheduled.

Collaborating with multiple stakeholders to establish priorities, and secure buy-in, Alana instigated a new programme, taking full accountability for reporting project progress, trialled eviFile, an innovative tracking and real-time reporting tool and created a new commissioning readiness procedure. Leading a diverse team comprising 60 different ethnic backgrounds, Alana facilitated an environment that empowered everyone to have a voice, establishing a one-team approach and common sense of purpose.