This document summarizes an event titled "Kick Start Your Project Management Career" presented by the University of South Wales and the Association for Project Management (APM). The event included an introduction by Paul Johnson of Atkins, a presentation by 2017 APM Young Professional Winner David Cross of Rolls-Royce, and breakout discussion sessions. David Cross discussed his career progression at Rolls-Royce, managing projects from £34M to £800M. He advocated for project management as a challenging and developing career that allows one to shape practices and leave a mark. The document provided contact information for Paul Johnson and next steps for students to get involved with APM.

1. ‘Kick Start Your Project
Management Career’
University of South Wales,
19 Feb 2020
Paul Johnson

2. Agenda
▪ Networking (and buffet!)
▪ APM Welcome
– Paul Johnson, Atkins
▪ David Cross– APM Young Professional Winner 2017
▪ Breakout Sessions
▪ Q&A Session

3. ▪ Chartered Engineer and Chartered Project Professional with 20 years PM
experience in Defence
▪ Volunteered for the APM for last 13 years
▪ Previously worked for Defence Equipment and Support, Ministry of Defence
▪ Joined Atkins 5 years ago; part of the SNC-Lavelin Group
▪ 1st role in MOD: technical PM – retrained in PM (PRINCE2, APMP, APM PQ)
▪ My career has spanned several Portfolio, Programme and Project Management
(P3M) roles, from Project Manager to Head Programme Management Office (PMO)
to Delivery Director
▪ Current role is Atkins - Engineering Delivery Partner (EDP) Delivery Director
▪ Worked on a variety of projects – from £3m to £3Bn!
Introduction – Paul Johnson, Atkins

4. Who is APM?
Not for profit
charity
Almost 31,000
individual
members
Europe’s largest
professional
body for PM
Chartered
body
Over 40
years old
525 corporate
members

6. South Wales
&
West of
England
Wessex
London
South
East
East of
England
Yorkshire
and North
Lancs
North East
Scotland
Northern
Ireland
Midlands
Thames
Valley
North
West
Hong Kong
Branches

7. – 3800 individual and 42 Corporate members
– One of the most active APM branches in UK
– Around 20 members events per year
▪ suitable for all levels of experience
▪ 891 members attended events in 2019
– An opportunity to take advice from experienced professionals
South Wales & West of England Branch

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David Cross
Rolls-Royce plc.
0
1

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Introducing Me
▪ Portfolio Executive – Civil Aerospace
▪ Grew up in Northampton
▪ University of Nottingham
▪ 31, Married, one dog
▪ Live in Derbyshire
▪ Passionate about PM
▪ APM Awards Judge
▪ APM Young Project Professional Winner 2017

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Introducing Rolls-Royce plc.
Civil Aerospace Defence
The Future?Power Systems
▪ 13,000 jet engines in service
▪ 35 types of aircraft powered
▪ 47% of our employees
▪ £7.5bn revenue
▪ We are one of the world’s
leading industrial technology
companies.
▪ 3 core business areas
▪ We don’t make cars.
▪ 16,000 engines in service
▪ 100 countries
▪ 19% of employees
▪ £3.5bn revenue
▪ 20,000 reciprocating engines
sold per year
▪ 19% of employees
▪ £3.5bn revenue
▪ Electric Flight
▪ Small Nuclear Reactors
▪ Energy Storage

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Royce Business proprietary classification
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Royce Business proprietary classification
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My Career
£34m - 3 Years
c£800m – Per Year

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Why PM
Challenging – you have to think but you
don’t have to be a rocket scientist
It isn’t about doing the same thing over
and over again.
You can shape the standard practise,
it is always developing and demand is
growing.
You can leave your mark

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15. Breakout sessions
Table Facilitator Discussion
1 Martin Gosden What makes a successful project manager - qualifications or experience?
2 Allan Reid
What three core 'personal' competences or attributes must I demonstrate to have a
chance of success as a professional project manager?
3 Paul Johnson What does project success look like?
4 Gary Mainwaring
What are the challenges for managing a project which is highly complex and
technically challenging?

16. Next steps
▪ Become a Student member if you can – it’s free
▪ Use LinkedIn eg
– Follow and join APM groups and corporate members
▪ Sign up for free APM webinars, and events
▪ Build your network and knowledge through the branch
▪ Ask us to help you gather data for research

17. Thanks and keep in touch
paul.johnson@atkinsglobal.com