Summary - APM Governance Interest Network: Sponsorship for new sponsors

An introduction to project sponsorship for those new to the role - covering what it involves, what good looks like, and how to effectively work with Project Managers.

Being appointed as a sponsor for the first time is a significant step, can be exciting and perhaps a little daunting. For many people, the appointment comes with little guidance, limited context, and a reasonable amount of uncertainty about what the role actually is.

Delivered in a learning-led format, this session gives new sponsors a clear, practical grounding in what effective sponsorship looks like. From understanding the role, skills that make a real difference and establishing a strong working relationship with your Project Manager from day one.

The session explores three core areas:

The sponsor role - what it is, what it is not, and why it matters to the success of your delivery
Core sponsorship skills - the behaviours and capabilities that distinguish effective sponsors
Working with your Project Manager - how to set the relationship up well, what good collaboration looks like in practice, and how to avoid the most common friction points

Whether you have just been appointed or are preparing to step into a sponsor role, this session will give you some great foundations to approach it with confidence.

After the 30minute presentation, there will be an open floor Q&A where participants can stay on to continue exploring sponsorship with our event panel.

Speakers

Christopher Rasiah, Chartered Project Professional
APM Governance Interest Network volunteer

Christopher is a Chartered Project Professional and Fellow of the APM. He has 29 years experience and is a long term APM volunteer who is excited by the topic of Governance and its real applications. Christopher has been a Project Manager at the early phase of engineering in Energy sector and now more often has the Sponsor role. Chris has to provide leadership, advise and guidance on projects and act in a Sponsor role as being part of Operations team.

Carol Deveney, Project Sponsorship Consultant
APM Governance Interest Network Lead

Carol is a project sponsorship consultant and author of ‘How to Sponsor Projects’. She has held Head of Sponsorship roles in the UK and internationally. Carol combines a background in sponsoring infrastructure projects and change programmes with coaching and leadership development gained in complex, high value environments. She is an ambassador for sponsorship as a successful approach to dealing with ongoing ambiguity in projects and leading the delivery of benefits. She has assured major programmes with a focus on achieving benefits, open dialogue and behavioural observations as enablers of good governance. She is the chair of APM’s Governance Interest Network.

Lexie Smith, APM Governance Interest Network volunteer

Lexie has been a project management professional and APM member for over ten years, delivering initiatives across a variety of sectors.

Recently stepping into Project Management Consultancy, Lexie is now focussing on channelling her passion for the profession and delivery experience to date into ensuring project sponsors are equipped well and have access to support to navigate their role as sponsor, effectively. She believes that well equipped sponsors are a fundamental, core contributing factor of delivering successful projects.

APM Governance Interest Network: Sponsorship for new sponsors

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