Adriana Bandeira has 25 years of international experience in projects, operations, engineering, and strategy across the Oil & Gas, Energy and Mining sectors. She has worked on global initiatives in South America, the United States, Europe, Africa, and Asia, holding international executive positions, leading major corporate areas, and serving on boards and joint ventures in Brazil and the Netherlands. With a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering and executive education, she has a strong background in the management of megaprojects, governance, risk, M&A, innovation, and the management of environmental and social impacts. At Vale, she currently leads the Dam Decharacterization Program, one of the company’s largest de-risking initiatives. Adriana combines a future-oriented vision, technical depth, diversity, and global experience, actively contributing to discussions on transformation, leadership, and preparing for the future.

Muhammad Ali bin Yahya is an experienced project management professional with 18 years of progressive experience in the oil and gas industry, specialising in project planning and governance, project controls, cost management, and stakeholder engagement. He currently serves as Manager, Project Planning and Governance at Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM), PETRONAS, where he oversees planning, scheduling, budgeting, cost control and governance compliance for multiple Petroleum Agreement Contractors, including ExxonMobil, Hess and Shell. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated strong capability in ensuring full compliance with PETRONAS governance frameworks, Level of Authority, safety and health requirements, and regulatory approvals. His experience spans domestic and international upstream projects, including major development projects in Malaysia and Turkmenistan, where he played key roles in cost control, financial analysis, contractor claims verification and risk management. Muhammad Ali holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS and has completed Project Management Institute (PMI) training. His core strengths include project cost control, budgeting and phasing, resource planning, scheduling, procurement and contract management, making him a strong contributor to value assurance and disciplined project delivery across the upstream portfolio.

Adam joined APM (Association for Project Management) as CEO in September 2021 having previously held leadership roles in other membership associations, including six years as CEO of the National Association for Special Educational Needs. In addition to his role at APM, Adam has a diverse non-executive director portfolio supporting organisations and projects that benefit society. In 2022, Adam was awarded the OBE for services to children with special educational needs.

Dynamic adaptable and results-driven executive with global leadership experience across aerospace and construction industries. Recognised for driving strategic transformation, operational excellence in manufacturing and supply chain, and business value in complex environments using broad operational experience combined with P3M and PMO skills. Combines a proven track record of delivering large-scale cross-functional programmes >£500M with expertise in supply chain management, business integration, continuous improvement, and organisational change. An inspiring, system thinking leader skilled in aligning diverse teams and stakeholders, fostering collaboration, and building cultures of accountability to achieve enterprise-wide objectives. Adept at translating strategic vision into actionable plans, leveraging data-driven insights to drive performance, cost efficiency and customer focussed outcomes.

Adam is a Programme Controls leader with more than 22 years’ experience delivering major infrastructure and capital programmes. Having spent over 12 years with Turner & Townsend, he has developed extensive expertise in programme controls, commercial management, performance improvement and delivery leadership across some of the UK’s most complex projects. Adam has held key leadership roles on major programmes including High Speed 1, the West Coast Route Modernisation, Crossrail, Heathrow Airport Quinquennium 6 and 7, and the Heathrow Expansion Programme. Most recently, he led a multidisciplinary team of over 300 professionals delivering PMO, estimating, commercial and project management services in support of more than £4 billion of annual capital expenditure at Heathrow Airport. Adam is currently serving as Interim Project Controls Director for HS2, leading project controls functions across a nationally significant and highly complex infrastructure programme. His experience spans the full project lifecycle, establishing governance, controls and performance frameworks that drive successful delivery and informed decision-making. In addition to his client-facing responsibilities, Adam has served as Turner & Townsend’s UK Functional Lead for Controls and Performance. He is passionate about developing high-performing teams and helping organisations deliver strategic objectives through effective programme leadership, robust controls and continuous performance improvement

Yuting Chen brings deep insights into the construction industry, supported by an interdisciplinary background in Construction Project Management (PhD), Finance (CFA), and legal studies, including a PGDL Law Conversion at the University of Law and a Diploma in Adjudication from RICS. As a Senior Lecturer, she teaches Construction Planning, Project Management, and Production Management to both postgraduate and undergraduate students, and supervises six PhD candidates. As a researcher, her interests focus on contract management, project governance, dispute resolution, and the application of NLP in risk identification from contract documents. As a practitioner in the construction industry, she offers consulting services—including contract drafting, claim management, and dispute resolution—and delivers training as a FIDIC Certified Trainer of Fundamental Construction Contracts (V2).

Almost 10 years experience in the Oil&Gas industry in construction cost estimation and subcontracting out of which the last 7 with Technip Energies. Currently working as Subcontract Manager for T.EN on the NZT / NEP Project in Teesside.

Ariadna Grobério is an internationally recognized thought leader in project and program management, with over 25 years of experience leading transformative initiatives at the intersection of artificial intelligence, digital innovation, and strategic governance. As a Senior Project / Program Manager, she leads global programs focused on operational safety, regulatory compliance, and AI-driven innovation. A prominent voice in the global project management community, Ariadna serves as Vice President of the Project Management Institute (PMI) United Kingdom Chapter, where she advances professional development, standards innovation, and inclusive leadership. She is a co-author of the PMI Global Standards for Artificial Intelligence, helping shape how emerging technologies are integrated into modern project environments. Ariadna's career encompasses high-impact programs for government institutions, including initiatives supported by the International Monetary Fund, and national transformations in Brazil, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. Currently, she is a Project Manager at Microsoft. She is also a best-selling author, with published books on leadership and organizational transformation that have positively impacted and inspired the lives of many women navigating professional and personal transitions. Her writing brings together deep expertise and human insight, offering accessible guidance for thriving in times of change

Accomplished Senior Contracts and Commercial Manager with over 17 years of experience specialising in contract management, global procurement and supply chain management. Experienced in managing high-value, complex Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contracts, project controls, risk management, and information management for large-scale projects and operations. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, foster key stakeholder and supplier relationships, and drive commercial value. A proactive and strategic thinker with a track record of optimising performance and maximising profitability. As a member of the IChemE Contracts Committee, I play a key role in the development and continuous improvement of the IChemE suite of contract forms, ensuring they reflect the latest industry best practices.

James Evans is a Programme Manager and PMO leader within NHS Wales, with over 13 years' experience delivering complex organisational change, transformation programmes and strategic initiatives across operational, digital and healthcare environments. James specialises in PMO leadership, organisational planning, governance and delivery capability, helping organisations translate strategy into successful implementation. His work focuses on strengthening decision-making, performance insight and delivery maturity within complex multistakeholder environments. Holding a Distinction in MSc Project Management, James is recognised for his work on psychological safety in project delivery. His research and practical experience have informed conference presentations, professional publications, webinars, podcasts and learning content for the Association for Project Management. A Fellow of the Association for Project Management (FAPM), James is an active speaker, mentor and volunteer, passionate about improving project outcomes and creating environments where people can contribute, challenge and perform at their best. James is particularly interested in the role of PMOs as strategic enablers of change, helping organisations move beyond governance and reporting to create greater visibility, alignment, capability and delivery confidence. He is passionate about building PMOs that enable delivery, not simply report on it.

Alexis has two decades of experience in project controls and transformation consulting. He has been involved in projects across Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia. Currently, Alexis serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Clayverest, a digital platform created for PMOs by PMOs, aimed at improving project controls efficiency. With an aerospace engineering degree from institutions in France and the USA, Alexis transitioned to Project Management early in his career. He furthered his education with MBA degrees from Columbia University and the London Business School. Outside of work, Alexis enjoys astrophotography with his two children, electronic music production and product design and prototyping.

Ben Fitzgerald is a Programme Controls Director who believes project controls exist to support decisions, not to generate reports — and that the gap between the two is where programmes lose their way. A chartered engineer turned cost engineer turned controls leader, he has built controls capability from scratch across defence, nuclear, aviation and infrastructure programmes, and was one of the first practitioners to apply BS 202001:2025 on a live programme. Using a Claim-Argument-Evidence model, he assessed a complex programme against the standard's mandatory requirements within months of publication. What he found — and what happened next — is the subject of his talk. Ben is a Certified Professional Cost Engineer and a Fellow of the Controls and Skills Authority.

James Garner FRICS is Head of AI and Data at Gleeds, a global property and construction consultancy. With over 25 years in the built environment — starting as a Quantity Surveyor and progressing through senior cost management and sector leadership roles — James now leads Gleeds' AI strategy, data analytics, and digital transformation programme. He has built a bespoke AI language model trained on Gleeds' historical project data, deployed machine learning tools that forecast project timelines, costs, and performance, and established the Upskill Data Academy training staff in data literacy, automation, and generative AI through CITB apprenticeships. James is a Fellow of RICS, past Chair of the Project Data Analytics Task Force, a member of the APM Data and AI group, and contributed to the RICS Responsible Use of AI in Surveying guidance note. He was recognised in the DataIQ Top 100 People in Data 2023. James also founded Project Flux, a weekly podcast and newsletter with 100+ episodes exploring AI's impact on project delivery, featuring industry leaders across construction, infrastructure, and technology. He has spoken at London Build, Digital Construction Week, and internationally in Doha and Athens.

Laura Gilmore MRICS MBA is the Head of Programme and Project Controls at United Utilities where she is currently leading the PMO Controls, Data and Reporting insights transformation. Laura is a highly accomplished PMO and Capital Delivery Director with over 20 years experience specializes in driving capital transformation across mega infrastructure portfolios in the UK. Laura has held a number of senior client team roles in UK infrastructure client organisations and led Multi £Billion capital PMO teams across Highways, Telecoms, Rail and Aviation teams prior to joining United Utilities in 2024. Laura has consistently led PMO transformations in growing and scaling programmes and modernized project controls and delivery strategies to shift from reactive tracking to high-velocity, data-driven strategic intelligence

Jeremy has specialised in construction energy and engineering law and related matters for most of his career. An accredited adjudicator and member of the FIDIC President’s List of Dispute Adjudicators, he focusses on dispute avoidance and resolution where his experience spans litigation, arbitration (domestic and international), adjudication, DAB/DRB, mediation, early neutral evaluation and expert determination. He advises on all aspects of projects both at home and abroad, from initial procurement and strategic project advice to dispute avoidance and resolution and acts across a wide range of construction sectors in the UK and internationally, including general construction, transport, communications, process plant, oil, gas, nuclear and renewables. Recommended in the area of International Arbitration in Chambers UK and The Legal 500 UK, the Guides note his “spectacular knowledge of FIDIC” and Jeremy is described as “extremely committed and hard-working”, he “has great attention to detail and can always see the bigger picture, and he keeps really calm under pressure” and “quickly builds a rapport with clients and deservedly earns their respect.” Jeremy is listed as a leader in his field in Who’s Who Legal: Construction where he is praised by peers who highlight him as “an outstanding construction lawyer with impressive cross-border experience”.   Jeremy also has extensive experience of all principal main contracts including FIDIC, JCT, ICE, NEC, GC/Works, and IChemE and numerous bespoke forms used in international and domestic construction, energy and infrastructure projects.

Anil is passionate about Project Controls and working in multiple capacities for implementation and enhancement of this growing subject i.e., Managing Director of Projcon Group (Project Controls Consultancy), Founder of Project Controls Online (Global Project Controls e-network and knowledge base), Project Manager for Project Controls Expo (Largest Project Controls event/- show) and finally, Founder and Program Director at Project Controls Institute (Blended Project Controls learning platform), Anil's professional experience spans over 19 years at corporate and field offices offering diverse and in-depth exposure to implementation of Project Controls on a range of EPC Projects (Oil & Gas- upstream and downstream, CCU - Carbon Capture Units, Power Projects and Pipelines). Registrations, Certifications, Publications & Voluntary Contribution. IEng registration with Engineering Council, UK Holds Certified Cost Engineer (CCE) and Planning & Scheduling Professional (PSP) certifications.

A project professional with over 30 years experience in Project Controls. A chartered (ChPP) APM, Fellow of APM and Fellow of Controls and Skills authority. An accredited strengths coach and mentor with diversity at the heart of my leadership style. Having worked across water, roads, nuclear and transformation, leading PMO's and controls. Currently working at Turner and Townsend as a project director, deployed in the water sector. I am also building a female leadership programme internally, supporting women in project controls and supporting APM in the future of project controls, all of which are things that I am very passionate about.

Kathryn Jones is Strategic PMO leader and Chartered Project Professional with a track record of delivering and transforming large-scale capital programmes in complex, regulated environments across a range of sectors. She is currently Head of PMO for Capital Programmes at United Utilities, where she leads a broad PMO capability across baseline and change, planning, risk, cost, information management, project and programme controls. Her team supports the delivery of a capital programme of around £7 billion during the current AMP period, representing a significant step change from the previous AMP, which was around £2 billion. That increase has required new PMO capability, new skills, greater digital maturity and a different approach to supporting delivery at pace. Before joining United Utilities, Kathryn held senior programme and transformation roles across manufacturing, nuclear and defence. At Babcock she led the project management and people capability workstream and was the original business case owner and delivery lead of the award winning P3M transformation and Train 2 Fit new skills programme. Through all her roles Kathryn has a people centred leadership style always seeking to turn complexity into clarity, insight into action whilst building high performing teams and skilled capability that transforms the way we delive

Gordana Kastrapeli is a leadership consultant, NLP Master Trainer, systemic coach, and facilitator with more than 20 years of experience in personal and business development. She helps leaders, teams, and professionals strengthen communication, leadership presence, presentation skills, resilience and the ability to navigate change with greater clarity and confidence. Her work is especially focused on helping professionals overcome internal barriers, unconscious resistance, and limiting beliefs that may prevent them from stepping into their full potential. Her approach combines NLP, HNLP, systemic coaching, attention shifting, brainbased leadership, logotherapy-informed thinking and practical business experience gained through previous roles in sales, marketing and executive leadership. Gordana supports leaders and professionals in developing greater self-awareness, communication precision, confidence and the ability to create constructive change in teams and organizations. She always aims to bring a human-centered perspective to changes that seemed to be only technical, exploring how mindset, communication and leadership behavior influence the way professionals adopt new tools and acquire more strategic thinking and decision making

Mr. Moj Kesheh is a Senior Director at FTI Consulting, based in London, and an accredited expert witness with more than 22 years of experience in the construction industry. Mr. Kesheh specialises in analysing complex construction projects and providing expert opinion on critical path method scheduling, delay, productivity loss, damages, acceleration, cumulative impact, dispute resolution, and claims analysis. He regularly provides expert advisory services and evidence in adjudication, arbitration, mediation, and litigation. He applies his expertise both during and after the construction process to help owners, developers, contractors, designers, and sureties, as well as loss adjusters in insurance claims and lenders, understand project complexities and effectively avoid, mitigate, and resolve disputes. Mr. Kesheh is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a licensed Planning and Scheduling Professional (‘PSP’) with the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (‘AACE’). He serves on AACE International’s Technical Board and is Vice Chair of the Claims & Dispute Resolution Subcommittee.

Pierre Le Manh is President and CEO of the Project Management Institute (PMI), the world’s leading organization for project professionals, providing universally recognized professional certifications including the PMP, lifelong learning and development, and content platforms and resources to 40 million professionals in more than 200 countries. Since taking the helm in 2022, Pierre has led a broad transformation and expansion of PMI, positioning the organization at the forefront of the artificial intelligence revolution in project management. He defined a clear purpose and strategy, reignited growth, scaled operations, and strengthened PMI’s capabilities both organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions and partnerships. Before joining PMI, Pierre served as Global Deputy CEO and CEO North America of Ipsos, one of the world’s largest market research companies, where he led major transformations and integrations, establishing deep collaborations with leading technology companies and doubling profitability. Earlier in his career, he was successively CEO of a digital publishing company in France and Global CEO of Consodata, a European pioneer in data-driven marketing. He started his career as a management and technology consultant at Accenture. Pierre serves on the Advisory Board of the Global Peter Drucker Forum and as a French Foreign Trade Advisor to the French government. He is a dual American and French citizen, fluent in English, French, and Italian.

Sarah Levett is the PMO Control Room Lead at Laing O’Rourke, where she leads the Virtual Control Room, a PMO capability that has evolved to deliver integrated data-led insights into portfolio performance. Reporting to the Executive, the Virtual Control Room supports early warning, targeted intervention and strategic decision-making. A Chartered Civil Engineer, Sarah has over 10 years’ experience in construction delivery across the full life cycle. Her sector experience spans infrastructure, data centres, commercial mixed-use, aviation, life sciences and defence, and she has worked with teams across the UK, the Middle East and Australia. Sarah has led behavioural change and continuous improvement programmes that support business transformation and strategic initiatives. She builds momentum through stakeholder engagement and cross-disciplinary collaboration, while fostering a culture of psychological safety. Supported by her Level 5 Certificate in Effective Coaching, she empowers diverse teams to collaborate, develop and thrive. She is driven to be a change agent in the construction industry and recently completed a postgraduate Master of Studies in Construction Engineering at the University of Cambridge.

Consuelo Manna is Head of Project Management (Americas and Australasia) at Heatherwick Studio. Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) with APM and qualified architect, Consuelo brings 22+ years of experience delivering major projects across UK, Europe, North America, Middle East and Asia. She’s recognised for developing project management strategies that safeguard design quality, helping clients navigate complexity through tailored delivery strategies, informed decision-making, adoption of innovative and forward-thinking approaches, alongside rigorous project controls. Since joining HS in 2018, Consuelo has managed a diverse portfolio including cultural destinations and mixed-use urban districts, while helping shape the project management and governance framework that support projects delivery across the Studio. Her key projects: London Olympia, £1.3 billion transformation of one of London's most historic cultural venues into a major destination for culture, entertainment and business, alongside Xi'an CCBD, West Bund Orbit in Shanghai, Miami Sunset Place, Harley-Davidson HQ in Milwaukee, and Belvedere in Louisville. Prior to joining HS, Consuelo was Associate Partner at Foster + Partners, where she held senior leadership roles on renowned projects, including Apple Park in California. Earlier in her career, she played key delivery roles on landmark London developments: ME London Hotel, 3 More London Riverside and 7 More London Riverside.

Milla began her railway career in 2005, initially working with Union Railways on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (now known as High Speed 1) and then with Network Rail, the railway infrastructure owner and operator for Great Britain. Over the years, Milla has focused on programme controls, planning, scheduling, and integration in the railway industry. In her current role in Wales & Western Region, Milla is leading initiatives in project data analytics across the capital delivery portfolio. Milla is a keen volunteer, having supported the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways as a permanent way worker, the Royal Academy of Engineering with project CARE, as well as the Association for Project Management (APM) in a variety of roles. Her work with Network Rail and the Royal Academy of Engineering was recognised with the honour of a British Empire Medal. Within APM, Milla has been a passionate and active volunteer, joining the Planning, Monitoring & Control SIG in 2014 and becoming the group’s chair in 2016. That same year, Milla was elected as a charity trustee of APM, where she has served on all board committees. Most recently, in 2022, Milla was elected as the chair of the APM board, concluding her term in 2025. In 2024, Milla was also appointed as a Non-Executive Director of GCH Ltd, an independent housing association dedicated to providing affordable homes and building successful communities. Milla’s passion is for innovation and lifelong learning; she will either be found working, volunteering, or learning something new.

Danielle Mudd SIRM is an enterprise risk, governance and transformation leader, currently directing the enterprise Governance, Risk, Compliance and Transformation function at Red Sea Global in Saudi Arabia. Her 15+ year career spans nuclear, aviation, highways, infrastructure and giga-projects — from project controls roles on UK major programmes to enterprise risk leadership across multi-billion-dollar portfolios. She is a co-author of the APM PRAM Guide (3rd Edition), a Specialist Member of the Institute of Risk Management (IRM), Chair of the IRM KSA & Bahrain Regional Group, Co-Chair of the IRM Women in Risk group and former Chair of the IRM Infrastructure Risk SIG. She previously founded and scaled a specialist risk advisory consultancy, and has delivered over $1bn in value through strategic risk mitigation and portfolio optimisation. Danielle is known for a people-first approach to risk — blending behavioural science with field-tested pragmatism — and for making risk the liveliest session in the room. She returns to Project Controls Expo following her 2025 session, ‘The People vs. Project Risk’.

Prof. Eddie Obeng, MAPM, MBA, PhD “Stay in your lane” is a phrase used to dissuade people from straying from a single area of expertise, but when it comes to Prof. Eddie Obeng, that advice is probably a bit late. As a business educator and digital pioneer, he created Pentacle The Virtual Business School, and its innovative avatar-based campus, QUBE. "The most human-centred virtual campus for teaching global executives." The Wall Street Journal As a keynote speaker, his TED talks have scored millions of views. "Eddie is human-Red Bull…" Red Bull As a researcher, he was awarded the Sir Monty Finniston Award for contributions to project management. His over 400 Performance Enhancement Tools (PETs) are used widely across top enterprises and the public sector. “On QUBE, a project which would have taken months took weeks, and the cost was similarly reduced!” NHS As an author, Eddie’s ten books include two Financial Times bestsellers. All Change! The Secret Art of Transformation, Perfect Projects and Change Management – In the 1990s, this book popularised project management and kicked off its growth and professionalising. Formerly at Shell and Ashridge, Eddie holds two patents in Biochemical Engineering, and is a qualified helicopter pilot

Claire Orchard is Deputy Chief Information Officer (Deputy CIO) at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust and Digital Director for the New Frimley Park Hospital Programme. She is a recognised leader in digital healthcare transformation, specialising in the intersection of smart hospitals, digital technology, data, and patient care. With extensive experience leading large-scale digital programmes across the NHS, Claire has held senior roles including Digital Director for Solutions and Delivery at East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust and Head of Digital Innovation at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Her expertise spans digital strategy, clinical systems implementation and optimisation, integration and solutions architecture, programme delivery, and digital transformation. At Frimley Health, Claire is helping shape the vision for one of the UK's next-generation hospital developments, driving the adoption of smart hospital technologies, connected infrastructure, digital twins, and data-driven approaches to improve patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and healthcare experiences. She is a frequent speaker on healthcare innovation and the future of digitally enabled healthcare estates

Filipe Passos is the Director of Project Controls at Tetra Tech, leading integrated and digital project controls across major infrastructure and capital programmes spanning Defence, Nuclear, Energy & Utilities, Transport, Government Services, Residential and Property sectors. With a background in civil engineering and extensive experience across public and private environments, he aligns project, programme and portfolio delivery with strategic outcomes through structured governance, cost engineering, risk management and performance assurance. He specialises in advancing Digital Project Controls, integrating data engineering, automation, business intelligence and AI-driven predictive analytics to enhance schedule reliability, commercial visibility and portfolio optimisation. His focus is on establishing enterprise-level “Mission Control” environments that provide a single source of truth and enable confident, evidence-based executive decision-making. Filipe builds high-performing, multidisciplinary teams and embeds scalable PMO and controls frameworks that improve baseline integrity, strengthen change control and drive sustainable performance across complex, regulated environments

Head of Project Controls and Project Controls on the A57 with over 18 years’ experience delivering complex highways and infrastructure programmes. Currently with Balfour Beatty Highways, she has held senior roles spanning programme productivity, operational excellence, industrialised construction strategy, and major project delivery on nationally significant schemes including the A14 Huntingdon to Cambridge Improvement. Nicole is recognised for leading large, multidisciplinary teams and supply chains to deliver predictable outcomes through Lean, collaborative working, and datadriven decisionmaking. A core strength of her leadership is quality transformation, embedding a Right First Time culture that reduces rework, eliminates waste, and improves certainty of delivery by integrating quality, productivity, risk, and operational fundamentals from the outset. Through standardisation, errorproofing, and continuous improvement, she has consistently improved production predictability, reduced cost and carbon, and enhanced value for clients. Known for driving cultural change, Nicole champions safety and quality as nonnegotiables, creating high performing environments where teams deliver the right outcome, in the right way, first time.

Following 18 years of delivering project controls across major projects within IT, Defense and Construction, Anthony has spent the last 10 years leading technology teams in the implementation of project controls systems, managing data, and automating processes with technology within in a multidisciplinary business unit at AtkinsRéalis.

Jo Dourou Schrader is a Strategic PMO Director and transformation leader with over 15 years of experience building and leading high-impact PMO and portfolio management functions across global organisations. She currently serves as Global Head of PPMO at Tesco, where she leads enterprise portfolio governance across multiple technology and finance portfolios, overseeing a £100m investment roadmap and enabling data-driven strategic decision making. Jo has successfully built and scaled PMO capabilities in organisations including Tesco, Micro Focus, Cynergy Bank, Ocado and the Financial Times, delivering measurable improvements in forecasting accuracy, governance maturity and strategic alignment. Her work has consistently helped organisations realise 5–15% cost efficiencies while strengthening portfolio visibility and decision cycles. Alongside her corporate leadership role, Jo is the founder of Eudemonia Coaching, where she has coached more than 200 professionals across 14 countries. She is passionate about developing PMO professionals and enabling teams to evolve from governance-focused functions into strategic partners that drive organisational value. Jo regularly contributes to the global PMO community as a conference speaker, industry judge and ambassador for PMO professional networks.

Sarah Schütte is a London-based practising Solicitor-Advocate, CEDR and CMC Registered Mediator, CEDR Early Neutral Evaluator, trainer and facilitator. She has specialised in construction and engineering projects, infrastructure and technology for 25 years. She is a PMI CAPM® and Co-Founder of Peridot Consulting International LLP. Sarah’s tripartite legal career makes her well-rounded: early years in law firms in the North and the City, 10 years in-house senior counsel in public and private sectors, and since 2014 an independent consultant. Her field experience translates to pragmatic legal support, focussing on breaking down complexities to the practical and purposeful. Sarah has wide experience in collaborative contracts and partnering/ alliancing, illustrates contract processes visually, and has a keen eye for a holistic whole-life approach. She deploys a technical dimension to her work, and as Mediator and ENE she is known for her solutions-driven conflict resolution focus and ‘rolled-up sleeves’ attitude. Her site boots are always to hand! Volunteer at PMI, APM, local schools, university, and Enactus competitions. Ex-school governor (8 years). Sarah currently supports a women-led retrofit hub and is a popular industry interviewee, and conference and panel speaker. Nominee Inspirational Business Woman in STEM 2025 and APM Volunteer of the Year 2021.

Dr Sheldon joined the MoD following a degree in Chemistry at Edinburgh University in 1993 and a PhD in Organic Chemistry at Oxford University in 1996. His initial appointments were; MoD Procurement Executive, MoD Centre and the Defence Engineering and Research Agency (DERA), followed by a 2-year project management post at the Defence Procurement Agency. In 2001 he joined the Defence Fixed Networks (DFN) Integrated Project Team (IPT) at the Defence Communications Services Agency (DCSA), becoming the Assistant Director for the DCSA change programme in 2004. In 2006, Dr Sheldon moved to the Defence Logistics Organisation, to establish and lead the Defence Logistics Performance Management Programme (DLPM), then to the Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) Performance Delivery Improvement (PDI) team, working directly to the DE&S Chief Operating Officer. In August 2010, Dr Sheldon became the Head of Cost Assurance and Analysis Service (CAAS) team. He next led the establishment of the new DE&S Project Controls function, playing a critical role in enabling DE&S Transformation, which became operational in April 2017. In April 2018, Dr Sheldon became the Head of Submarine Production responsible for the delivery of the Astute Boats 4-7 from build into service. Advancing to become the Director of Submarine Acquisition, responsible for the acquisition of all Royal Navy submarines including the Astute, Dreadnought and SSN (Nuclear submarine) AUKUS programmes (A defence and security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.). In April 2024, Dr Sheldon became the 2* Chief Delivery Officer at Dstl. Supporting the Chief Executive to ensure the delivery of the complex portfolio of defence and security work as the Dstl executive sponsor of the project delivery function, coordinating and managing the work across the Dstl Science & Technology (S&T) delivery units. He is also responsible for; implementing a successful single front door

An experienced project professional with experience in public, private, and not-for-profit sectors and a Chartered Project Professional currently leading a complex programme of work to prepare EDF's advanced gas cooled reactors for defueling. An introvert who has found ways to work with others and lead teams of people with empathy and understanding while ensuring projects and programme activity is delivered to a high standard

Richard Smart took up his current role as Director Project Delivery in DE&S Systems Integration in October 2024. His previous senior leadership roles have involved delivery at Director-level in Army HQ, MOD Head Office and DE&S. His portfolio, programme and project management experience started with equipment planning and investment approvals in MOD Head Office for the RAF in the early 1990s. He then moved into a series of roles involving complex equipment delivery and equipment support with the Hercules C-130J, C-17 and A400M transport aircraft programmes, communication systems for the Fire and Rescue Services and weapon systems across the breadth of UK Defence (maritime, land and air). Most recently, he worked on artillery and air defence capabilities across all Defence Lines of Development as a Senior Responsible Owner in Army HQ. Like many of the people working in the MOD, Richard also has substantial experience of business change. He was an internal consultant on the Integrated Project Team rollout programme as part of the MOD’s Smart Acquisition Initiative in the late 1990s; he completed a review of equipment acquisition in the Japan Defence Agency while on secondment in Tokyo; he led the Defence Procurement Agency’s portfolio management office; and he was the Programme Director supporting the DE&S Executive on the DE&S Material Strategy. Between 2020 and 2022, he was Transformation Director in MOD Head Office, leading portfolio management of a suite of pan-Defence change programmes.

Kingsley leads technical and digital development in a multidisciplinary business unit at AtkinsRéalis following 25 years in project delivery.

Steve Wake founded the EVM and the PMC Sigs in the Association for Project Management (APM) and was the Chairman of APM, leading it to chartered status. He is a Chief Examiner with APMG. He is now a Freeman of the City of London and a Liveryman of the Guild of Educators. He is also a Cabinet Office advisor. He advises and guides many organisations and delivers training to several government departments. He founded a working party to develop a GCSE in Project Skills, now the Project Skills Alliance CIC. He is a member of the British Standards Institution M/S 2 committee, responsible for national standards in project programme and portfolio management, and he was its Chair from 2022-24. He led the development of BS202001 Project Controls Specification standard, in which MOD is a participant and works closely with the PsACE community, harmonising estimating practices in government and its supply chain. He also represents BSi on ISO WG18, developing guides for EVM and Cost Management currently. He is the founding Chair of Trustees Controls and Skills Aiuthority Foundation CIO, formerly ACOSTE. He curates the highly regarded EVA conference. Founded in 1996. He adores music and silence in equal measure.