PMI National Project Awards celebrate rising leaders and standout successes in Irish project management

The Ireland Chapter of Project Management Institute (PMI) has announced the winners of this year’s PMI National Project Awards, in association with PwC. The winners of the 2024 Awards were announced at a black-tie event held at PwC’s Dublin office on Thursday 14 November.

These prestigious awards celebrate the significant contribution and excellence of project management in Ireland, showcasing the best in innovation and talent in the profession. As well as individuals and teams who demonstrate exceptional potential, dedication and success in their field, the annual awards – now in their eighth year – also highlight transformative and inspiring projects.

From the application of Robotic Process Automation in healthcare to a climate action strategy within the agricultural space, this year’s event celebrated project management across various industries and demonstrates the growing influence and success of project management in the Irish economy.

Amongst the individuals commended during the awards were five Under-35 Change makers. Laura McDermott was the ultimate recipient. McDermott founded Colectivo, a project-based sustainability consultancy dedicated to driving impactful change by connecting visionary thinkers and practical innovators with organisations.

The awards add to the Rising Leader Award notably bestowed upon Sinead Gallagher, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Ireland Chapter of PMI, earlier this year at the 2024 Global PMI Professional Awards.

The full list of winners, chosen following careful consideration of a record number of submissions by an independent judging panel*, can be found below.

• PMO of the Year (sponsored be Velopi) – Aerogen

• Project Professional of the Year (sponsored by emagine) – Ian Fitzsimons (Project Management Consultant, Expleo)
• Private Sector Project of the Year (sponsored by Expleo) – Primark: ‘Next Generation Global Wide Area Network Solution’
• Public Sector Project of the Year (sponsored by Saros) – Health Service Executive (HSE): ‘The Cork University Hospital / Mercy University Hospital Paediatric Reconfiguration project’
• Project Management for Social Good (sponsored by Irish Emergency Alliance) – ActionAid Ireland: ‘Together, we are stronger’

• • Under-35 Change makers of the Year (sponsored by Ireland Chapter of PMI) – Laura McDermott (CEO, Colectivo) was the ultimate recipient in this category

• • Note, the following four were commended in this category: Kevin Quinlan (Data Governance & Quality Lead, ESB), Sean Higgins (Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) & Strategy Lead for Dublin Airport Authority), Rebecca Keenan (Global Head of Intelligent Automation Solutions Director, Expleo Group), and James Doggard (Senior Project Manager, KSN Project Management)

• AI and Technology Project of the Year (sponsored by PwC) – Health Service Executive (HSE), Technology & Transformation: ‘Waiting List Batch Suspensions Automation, Galway University Hospital’
• Special Category: Excellence in Innovation Projects of The Year (sponsored by Cornmarket and Ireland Chapter of PMI) – Teagasc: ‘Teagasc’s Climate Action Strategy 2022-2030’; and Health Service Executive (HSE): ‘Enhanced Community Care (ECC)’

• PMI Ireland Volunteer Award – Mark Davenport
• PMI Ireland Special Achievement Award – Jackie Fagan, Past President of the Ireland Chapter of PMI

Speaking about the awards, Peter Glynne, President of the Ireland Chapter of PMI, said: “Once again, we are delighted to be celebrating the individuals and innovations driving change. These are the people and projects which showcase the best of project management in Ireland and how it contributes to the country’s success both nationally and internationally. As well as bigger and more ambitious projects, this year’s awards were also bigger with more entries and categories than ever before – indicating a very bright future for Ireland.”

Keiran Barbalich, Partner in PwC Ireland and Leader for the firm’s Portfolio and Programme Management, added: “Success in project management is vital for our economy. Over a quarter of Ireland’s CEOs do not believe that their businesses will be viable in a decade without reinvention. AI and technology are at the centre of this reinvention, and with their technological expertise, Ireland’s project managers play a vital role in this transformation. We are delighted to sponsor the National Project Management Institute (PMI) Awards for the eighth year running and, in particular, to also sponsor the AI and Technology Project of the Year Award. We commend each and every one of the finalists and a huge congratulations to the winners.”

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