Innovation in Projects Award
Sponsored by KBR
Finalists for this category have now been announced.
A unique award recognising projects or programmes that demonstrate progressive, diverse and innovative approaches to project practices and delivery.
We live and work in an ever-progressive world, which is why here at APM we value and encourage innovation in project management techniques and methods. We also recognise that new and exciting ideas for project management exist in every sector, for every type of project. That’s why all entries, across every category, will be automatically considered for this award, given at the discretion of our awards judges and Awards Steering Group.
In each existing entry, our judges will be looking for projects or programmes that demonstrate progressive, diverse and innovative approaches to project practices and delivery, including techniques, processes or methods, that have directly contributed to successful project outcomes.
Because all entries are automatically put forward for this award, there is no need to submit any additional material to ensure your entry is included. The judges will purely use stage one written submissions to choose their finalists and the winner, who will be announced on the night.
Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on 17 November.
Congratulations and good luck to all our finalists...
Finalist | East West Rail Phase 2
Delivered safely, ahead of time and under budget, the £1.2bn East West Rail Phase 2 (EWR2) project reopened the mothballed 33km Bicester and Bletchley route, linking people with new jobs and homes.
Creating a one-team culture, East West Rail Alliance (EWRA) leveraged partners' expertise and innovations, collaborated with local stakeholders, embedded a transformative ‘Safety in Every Choice’ programme and prioritised habitat preservation to facilitate best-for-project decision-making.
The first rail project to commit to and exceed a 10% biodiversity net gain, EWR2 delivered £3.5m of social value, facilitated workforce career development, provided connectivity, social mobility and environmental benefits.
Finalist | James Fuller; Siu Fa Ng
Much of Romney Marsh is around 1-2 metres below high spring tide levels. If nothing is done to protect the coastline, 14,500 homes would be at risk of flooding along with 700 businesses and nationally important critical infrastructure, military sites and environmental designations.
To reduce flood risk along the eastern banks of the River Rother in East Sussex, the Rother Tidal Walls East (RTWE) flood defence initiative, led by the Environment Agency involves upgrading and strengthening 6km embankments and tidal walls to protect homes, businesses, and valuable agricultural land from tidal flooding.
Finalist | Rochdale Town Hall Quarter: a heritage-led regeneration
The restoration of the Grade 1 listed Rochdale Town Hall presented an opportunity to engage local people with heritage as well as offering conservation training on one of the most significant heritage projects in the Borough and the Country. The ethos of the project centred on giving the building back to the people of Rochdale.
Starting through the construction phase, local people were able to make a meaningful contribution through employment, volunteering or training and now, for the first time in its history, the building is open to the public, free to enter, allowing everyone to experience it first-hand.
Finalist | SkyTeam – The Aviation Challenge
The Aviation Challenge (TAC), organised by SkyTeam, is a global friendly sustainability competition among airlines and aviation partners to test, scale, and share impactful environmental solutions. Participants execute showcase flights within their networks, implementing sustainable solutions in real-world setting and scaling them in operations.
In 2024, the programme united 24 airlines to complete 33 showcase flights, achieving over 10% reduction in CO₂ intensity compared to their baselines, and 20% against industry standards. More than 140 solutions were successfully scaled beyond testing phases. TAC sparks collaboration and knowledge sharing to accelerate sustainability progress across the aviation industry.