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Thu 12 June đ 15:10-15:55 | People Stream | Premier Lounge South
APM People Interest Network presents: Role of the Project Sponsor in developing the sustainable project workforce
This session explores the critical role of the Project Sponsor in cultivating a sustainable project workforce.
Participants will learn how Sponsors should foster positive organisational culture, reward sustainable behaviours, and encourage collaboration to drive long-term workforce engagement.
The session also highlights practical initiatives such as green technology training, mental health support, and ethical supply chain practices. Key challengesâlike balancing budgets with sustainability goals, managing resistance to change, and addressing systemic equity issuesâwill be discussed, along with strategies for overcoming them.
Ultimately, attendees will gain actionable insights into how Project Sponsors can lead efforts to ensure workforce sustainability not just during a projectâs lifecycle, but well into its legacy. Whether you are early on in your project management journey, already a Project Sponsor or somewhere in between, this session aims to help you understand just how important this role is in creating a balanced environment for the workforce to flourish.
We asked Helen a few questions about their session:
Why do you think this topic is particularly relevant for project professionals?
There is a common understanding of sustainability from an environmental perspective, but we donât always apply the sustainability principles to the workforce itself. Burnout, life-work balance, and mental health are important topics in their own right, but itâs important to look at them in the project context too. Understanding the role of the Project Sponsor is key to the success of the project as well as to creating a balanced environment for the workforce to flourish.
What excites you most about attending/speaking at the APM Conference?
2024 was my âYear of Yesâ so when the opportunity came up to speak at the event I thought âwhy not?â I never thought that I would be picked as there are some incredible professionals who submitted ideas but Iâm really looking forward to sharing ideas and insights with other project professionals, catching up with old friends and making new ones. Iâm also looking forward to celebrating everyoneâs achievements at the Education and Research Awards on the Wednesday evening.
What challenges would you like to help project professionals overcome from your session?
Having a disengaged sponsor can be frustrating and damaging to a project, so weâll be exploring how to get to the bottom of why the Sponsor isnât engaging as well as looking at the challenges the Sponsor faces in developing and maintaining a balanced and sustainable workforce. Weâll look at way to engage and motivate the team and some examples of initiatives that can be put in place to support.
