Project Professionals: Ready for the Future?
South Wales and West of England Branch Conference - 18 October 2023
Headline sponsor
The APM South Wales and West of England Branch are planning to continue the face-to-face Branch Conference series with a full day event in October 2023.
In 2023, we as project professionals face a world of increasing uncertainty, with political and market conflicts, the continued impacts of COVID-19, and the climate crisis influencing the world we operate in. At the same time, domestic and international sustainability goals, diversity and inclusion targets and new, collaborative technologies are guiding us to build a better future. As a community, how can we ensure we’re ready?
Join us at the APM’s South Wales & West of England branch’s 2023 Conference to explore the ways in which our landscape is changing, and how we as project professionals can stay at the forefront of this ever-evolving world.
Group booking deal available! Buy three tickets and get the fourth ticket free.
Speakers and programme
| 09:00-09:30 Registration and refreshments |
| 09:30-09:40 Welcome and housekeeping |
| 09:40-10:10 Opening Keynote |
| 10:10-10:55 Project Managing Neurodiversity James Lewis, Head of Learning and Development, MI-GSO|PCUBED During this session James will be discussing his passion for engaging everybody effected by organisational change and ensuring that the messaging they receive is resonant with their role, culture, ways of working and neurodiversity profile: no one gets left behind. Change interventions need to be tailored not only to fit the generic corporate culture but also for every individual within that organisation. |
| 10:55-11:15 Coffee break |
| 11:15-12:00 Climate change – how project managers can make a difference Leigh Woodcock, Lead Project Manager, EDF NNB GenCo (Hinkley Point C) The UK greenhouse gas emissions target is net zero by 2050. Hinkley Point C (HPC) and the shift towards new nuclear is one of the most significant means to achieve that goal due to low carbon electricity produced by nuclear power. Big projects such as HPC will clearly assist the UK to reach this target, however more localised changes are also needed and who better to champion these changes than Project Managers. Projects of all sizes are all about change to BAU which is exactly what is needed in the fight against climate change. This presentation will provide advice to Project Managers on what we can do to effect change and meet environmental legislation without breaking the budget. |
| 12:00-12:45 Soft Skills for the Future Marion Thomas, Director, ExtraordinaryPM This session explores the soft skills that enable project and programme managers to be effective in their leadership. Marion will lead a discussion on the non-technical skills that differentiate the great project managers. |
| 12:45-13:45 Lunch and networking |
| 13:45-14:30 AIPP 2.0: Artificially Intelligent Project Professional James Doherty, Management Consultant, BMT The presentation will discuss the latest developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and their impact on Project, Program, and Portfolio Management (P3M). This is a continuation of a previous presentation given to the SWWE BCAG in May. The focus will be on the advancements in AI, particularly models like GPT-4, and their application in project management. The presentation will revisit the threats and ethical considerations of integrating AI and discuss potential solutions; This will lead into the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the context of AI. Attendees will gain insights into how AI is changing the project profession and its role in improving decision-making, automating tasks, and enhancing ways of working. |
| 14:30-15:30 Panel - Ready for the Future? |
| 15:30-16:00 Closing Keynote To be announced |
| 16:00-16:20 Closing comments Professor Adam Boddison OBE, APM Chief Executive Officer Drinks reception opening |
| 16:20-17:15 Drinks reception (TBC) |
| 17:15 Conference close |
*Programme subject to change
With thanks to our headline sponsor
PA Consulting
We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future.
As strategies, technologies and innovation collide, we create opportunity from complexity.
Our diverse teams of experts combine innovative thinking and breakthrough use of technologies to progress further, faster. Our clients adapt and transform, and together we achieve enduring results.
An innovation and transformation consultancy, we are over 4000 specialists in consumer and manufacturing, defence and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government and public services, health and life sciences, and transport. Our people are strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, scientists, engineers and technologists.
We operate globally from offices across the UK, US, Netherlands and Nordics.
Discover more at paconsulting.com and connect with PA on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Bringing Ingenuity to Life.
APM South Wales and West of England Branch
The branch offers a wide range of events including an annual dinner, a one-day conference, evening events and site visits. We encourage networking between members at all events.
We recognise the different needs of our members who are new to the profession and offer introductory as well as advanced level events.
