Russam Seeks Chief Executive for Association for Project Management

March 25, 2021 – U.K.-based executive search firm Russam has been enlisted to find a new chief executive for the Association for Project Management (APM). Headquartered in Princes Risborough, in Buckinghamshire, England, APM is an educational charity committed to developing and promoting the value of project management in order to deliver improved project outcomes for the benefit of society. Leading the assignment for Russam is Melissa Baxter, managing partner, charities. “This is an exciting time to join APM, an organization reaching its 50th anniversary with history of achievement and growth,” said Russam. “There are clear opportunities ahead. Project management will be part of the strategy to build Britain back up, post-Brexit and post-COVID-19.”

APM’s new leader will be expected to work with the board of trustees to maintain relevant strategic objectives in line with the organization’s vision and mission., said the search firm. The individual will be charged with leading and coordinating the delivery of operations through effective deployment of resources. This includes maintaining the goodwill and support of members and ensuring a proper balance between the association’s public, professional, business and performance-related imperatives such that the strategic objectives are met.

Changing Britain

“APM (is) looking for a first-class chief executive to take on this leading role in changing Britain, someone who has the skills and drive to match their ambition and make their goals a reality,” said Russam. “You will be supported by an enthusiastic and committed board of trustees, a strong leadership team and an excellent cadre of staff and volunteers.”

Candidates must have a successful track record of operating in a senior leadership position in a comparably complex organization, said the search firm. Also required is a history of leadership in a dynamic and changing environment, with demonstrable success in developing and implementing sustainable organizational, process and culture change and performance improvement. Prospects should also have experience working in a complex external environment and of meeting the needs of a multiple range of stakeholders.

Further requirements include: excellent public speaking abilities; proven people leadership skills with proven experience of leading, motivating and engaging diverse and high-performing teams, with the ability to delegate appropriately and actively develop the capabilities of staff at all levels; demonstrable expertise in developing and delivering strategy, policy and business plans; and exposure to working with an international or global business.

The Association for Project Management aims to deliver public benefit through its work supporting the project professional by setting leading standards, promoting and facilitating education, raising awareness, growing the talent pipeline and supporting research. In addition, APM collaborates with government and other professional bodies working in the public interest, invests in major research projects into the profession’s economic contribution and plays a leading role in advocating for reducing the carbon footprint of projects. APM received its Royal Charter in 2017.

Range of Services

Luton, England-based Russam was founded in 1981. As the original pioneers of U.K. interim management and a leading executive search business, the firm prides itself on its experience, depth of knowledge and business networks. Russam provides four key services: interim search, executive search, board practices and total project delivery. Russam serves a range of sectors, from finance and manufacturing to technology, the public sector and not-for-profits. The firm’s clients range from start-ups to multinationals in any market.

Russam is led by managing directors Jason Atkinson and Ian Joseph. Mr. Atkinson joined the firm in 2005. His expertise covers private equity, media and telecoms, marketing and communication, and board/ leadership/ general management. Mr. Atkinson has been the chairman of the Interim Management Association (IMA), a founding member of the Financial Promotions Action Group and is involved in a number of other industry bodies and associations. Mr. Joseph has been a managing director since 2014 when he and Mr. Atkinson completed a management buyout. He is a founding board member of Trustees Unlimited and co-founder of Step on Board, one of the U.K.’s premier senior employee engagement programs, working with companies such as Barclays, Google, EY and Credit Suisse. He is also a founding director of Cyclopark, Europe’s largest multi-event cycling facility, and sits on the professional advisory board of CharityWorks. He is also chair of Kidscape, the national anti-bullying charity.

Ms. Baxter is director of executive search for Russam. She has over 15 years of senior-level recruitment and consultancy experience. Before joining Russam, she was an associate director with a private sector recruitment business recruiting to permanent and interim positions. Before that, she was a founding director of an executive search firm working on high profile executive and non-executive roles in the not-for-profit and public sector. Ms. Baxter has a wide range of experience recruiting to and advising boards across all sectors. She has led searches for chairs, chief executives and directors within the not-for-profit and private sector. She is also a qualified and accredited executive coach.

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media