International validation for APM

Association for Project Management chief executive Andrew Bragg was presented with the association’s IPMA validation certificate at the International Project Management Association (IPMA) Council of Delegates meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan at the end of September.

IPMA recently updated its regulations and following extensive assessment at the APM offices, the association’s full range of IPMA qualifications and certifications is now validated against the latest requirements.

“Validation from IPMA is important for a number of reasons,” said Andrew (pictured). “The rigorous assessment has provided us with the assurances which our stakeholders demand of our qualifications and certifications. It ensures we continue to meet the requirements of the international project management community.

“It has also offered the opportunity to improve our assessment processes yet further to ensure that we continue to deliver against the growing needs of the profession and society at large.”

At the Council meeting Andrew was also elected as a vice-president of the IPMA executive board. Andrew will assume the part-time voluntary role responsible for administration and finance, alongside his current role as chief executive of APM, in January 2013.

“IPMA has very many strengths, but even its strongest supporters acknowledge that it has not yet realised its full potential,” he said.

“This appointment is a reflection of APM’s long-term and growing commitment to the international community through IPMA. APM has grown to become a dynamic professional body which exerts influence and authority. The change process we have followed to achieve this has impacted every area of APM, whether setting strategy, introducing new governance arrangements, coordinating volunteer effort, developing financial strength, or influencing government and private sector organisations to fully embrace professionalism in project management.

“APM can offer the benefits of its experience to IPMA.”

Professor Mladen Radujkovic, the current IPMA vice-president of research and education will take up the role of president from Roberto Mori at the beginning of 2013.

Also elected as vice-presidents for 2013-15 were Dr Jesús Martínez-Almela, (training and Young Crew), Stacy Goff, (marketing and events), David Hudson (membership), Nuno Ponces de Carvalho (certification), Reinhard Wagner (standards, awards and research) who will work alongside Amin Saidoun, recently-appointed IPMA executive director.

The International Project Management Association is a federation of national project management associations of which APM is the UK representative. With members from around 60 countries, it represents an international community of over 150,000 project professionals. IPMA members share a common interest in the professional recognition of project management, offering unique international standardisation while respecting the national and cultural differences offered by each member association.