The Sponsor - One of the most misunderstood roles in Major Projects
Seminar
Members Only Event
If there was a theme tune for sponsors it would probably be the haunting 1964 song by Nina Simone (and later covered by The Animals) - 'Don't let me be misunderstood' - as many sponsors experience confusion over the remit of their roles by those they need to work with.
This confusion and misunderstanding is partly caused by sponsorship being implemented differently across different sectors and different organisations - driven by the types of projects they undertake (e.g. infrastructure vs. transformation); the number of projects in an organisation; the delivery model; and delivery risks. There are people whose full-time job is to be a sponsor; those who juggle their sponsor or SRO roles with their operational roles; and then there are projects that have several sponsors - a sponsor in a client organisation and another sponsor in the delivery organisation.
The misunderstanding of the sponsor role poses lots of questions: What does good look like? Is there a difference between the role of an SRO and the role of a sponsor? Is it a job, role or function? What needs to be in place for effective sponsorship? What is the right amount of time sponsors need to carry out their role effectively? Are there good frameworks for sponsorship? How do we address common challenges?
In this event we will look at the importance of sponsorship; different models of sponsorship; how to have those early fearless conversations which shape projects; and the role of the sponsor in creating a sustainable future. We will also hear experiences from younger sponsors in different organisations about what they do day-to-day; and what they need to develop, grow, be valued and heard.
The event registration is now closed.
Programme
Wednesday 16th June 2021
13:30 - 14:00
Registration and informal networking
14:00 - 14:10
Chair's introduction
Mike Smith
Programme Director Restoring Your Railways Network Rail Ltd
Mike Smith
Programme Director Restoring Your Railways, Network Rail Ltd
Mike Smith joined the railway in York in the mid 90’s after completing the NHS Graduate Management scheme. Since joining Mike has working in several regions of Railtrack/Network Rail mostly in sponsorship and strategic planning roles. During this time, he has led introduction of new rail services, new rolling stock, transformation of stations and passenger facilities, plus several programmes to improve passenger, public and rail employee safety.
Currently Mike leads the Restoring Your Railway Programme for Network Rail in partnership with Department for Transport. The RYR programme is committed to reconnecting communities and driving economic growth by reopening railway lines and stations.
Currently Mike leads the Restoring Your Railway Programme for Network Rail in partnership with Department for Transport. The RYR programme is committed to reconnecting communities and driving economic growth by reopening railway lines and stations.
14:10 - 14:25
Sponsorship in Transport for London
Alexandra Batey
Director The Nichols Group
Alexandra Batey
Director, The Nichols Group
Alexandra Batey is a Director at the Nichols Group and a recognised leader in complex programme delivery and project sponsorship. A Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, she combines technical expertise with strategic vision. Previously, she served as Phase 2b Development Director at HS2 Ltd, where she was responsible for shaping and managing the development and early lifecycle delivery of future high-speed rail lines. With over 20 years of experience at Transport for London (TfL), Alexandra held senior roles including Director of Investment Delivery Planning, Crossrail Joint Sponsor Team, and Head of Public Transport Sponsorship. Alexandra is also deeply committed to mentoring and developing the next generation of leaders.
14:25 - 14:45
Sponsorship in Partnership
Rear Admiral Tim Hodgson CB MBE
Director Submarine Capability Ministry of Defence
Rear Admiral Tim Hodgson CB MBE
Director Submarine Capability, Ministry of Defence
no bio
Jenni Benbow
Astute Delivery Director - Programme Integration and Contract Management BAE Systems
Jenni Benbow
Astute Delivery Director - Programme Integration and Contract Management, BAE Systems
no bio
14:45 - 15:00
What has the Sponsor ever done for us?
15:00 - 15:15
Discussion
15:15 - 15:20
Break
15:20 - 15:35
Sponsoring the sustainable future - choose wisely
Dr. Jo Jolly
The Water Services Regulation Authority (OFWAT)
Dr. Jo Jolly
The Water Services Regulation Authority (OFWAT)
Dr Jo Jolly is a Deputy Director at the Environment Agency. She is proud to lead a fantastic team of programme and contract professionals, and an inspirational team of environmental specialists. Working in collaboration with colleagues and delivery partners, Jo’s team are focused primarily on the delivery of the Environment Agency’s £5.2bn, six year flood risk management programme, combined with achieving net zero carbon by 2030.
Jo is an experienced project delivery professional, having worked across both public and private sectors. She is currently on the Major Project Leadership Academy, a programme for learning and growth amongst a group of cross-government senior project leaders.
Jo’s leadership values are founded on inclusivity and integrity. She is a strong advocate for the importance of psychological safety, and our role as leaders in creating that. With a PhD in Geophysics, she also has a guilty pleasure in the joys of data. She understands the vast potential of project data analytics and the opportunity to move beyond incremental change towards transforming how we deliver projects and is a key member of the Project Data Analytics Task Force. She is also a member of the Major Projects Association’s Sponsorship Network Group and a Chartered Member of CIWEM.
Jo is an experienced project delivery professional, having worked across both public and private sectors. She is currently on the Major Project Leadership Academy, a programme for learning and growth amongst a group of cross-government senior project leaders.
Jo’s leadership values are founded on inclusivity and integrity. She is a strong advocate for the importance of psychological safety, and our role as leaders in creating that. With a PhD in Geophysics, she also has a guilty pleasure in the joys of data. She understands the vast potential of project data analytics and the opportunity to move beyond incremental change towards transforming how we deliver projects and is a key member of the Project Data Analytics Task Force. She is also a member of the Major Projects Association’s Sponsorship Network Group and a Chartered Member of CIWEM.
15:35 - 15:50
The Amateur Sponsor - are they as match fit as the "pro"?
Al Simmonite
Managing Director The Advance Consultancy Ltd
Al Simmonite
Managing Director, The Advance Consultancy Ltd
Al is the Managing Director of Advance Consultancy Ltd, a business focused on supporting organisation to deliver outcomes more effectively in complex environments. The focus for the business in recent years has been supporting the development of professional collaboration in project teams delivering complex projects in the infrastructure and transport sector.
Prior to joining Advance, Al has been a Project Management functional director and has been involved in complex project and programme management for 15 years including the delivery of complex projects, programmes and portfolios as both a client and a supplier, developing new collaborative ways of working across the client-supplier interface in the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Al’s background is as an Aerospace Engineer with 20 years as a Royal Air Force Engineer Officer, subsequently shifting into the aerospace industry, across into transportation and now into a multi-sector consultancy. Al’s interest in the topic of Sponsorship comes from many years’ experience of working in and around many different types of project sponsor and seeing a lack of consistent guidance and direction for the role. With Advance, Al has supported teams, projects and organisations to develop appropriate and effective leadership and collaborative environments. He sees effective Sponsorship and Leadership as key to the successful delivery of Major Projects.
Prior to joining Advance, Al has been a Project Management functional director and has been involved in complex project and programme management for 15 years including the delivery of complex projects, programmes and portfolios as both a client and a supplier, developing new collaborative ways of working across the client-supplier interface in the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Al’s background is as an Aerospace Engineer with 20 years as a Royal Air Force Engineer Officer, subsequently shifting into the aerospace industry, across into transportation and now into a multi-sector consultancy. Al’s interest in the topic of Sponsorship comes from many years’ experience of working in and around many different types of project sponsor and seeing a lack of consistent guidance and direction for the role. With Advance, Al has supported teams, projects and organisations to develop appropriate and effective leadership and collaborative environments. He sees effective Sponsorship and Leadership as key to the successful delivery of Major Projects.
15:50 - 16:00
Challenges of the New Sponsor
Delegates from our recent New Sponsors round table event feedback on 2 key questions:
1. What are the key challenges in the role of a junior sponsor?
2. What do junior sponsors need for their career development?
Ellie Clark
Principal Sponsor Transport for London
Ellie Clark
Principal Sponsor, Transport for London
no bio
Thomas Norris
Strategic Sponsor No longer at member organisation
Thomas Norris
Strategic Sponsor, No longer at member organisation
no bio
16:00 - 16:15
Discussion
16:15 - 16:30
The role of the SRO in UK Parliament's Transforming Digital Programme
Tracey Jessup
Chief Digital and Information Officer No longer at member organisation
Tracey Jessup
Chief Digital and Information Officer, No longer at member organisation
Tracey Jessup is Chief Digital and Information Officer (CDIO) of the UK Parliament. Tracey is focused on how Parliament, as a customer and partner, can work more effectively with the Parliamentary Digital Service to deliver digital services in a better and more cohesive way. As well as being CDIO, Tracey sits on the management boards of the House of Commons and House of Lords.
She transitioned to this strategically focused role in October 2020 and was previously Chief Information Officer and Managing Director of the Parliamentary Digital Service. A joint department of both Houses of Parliament, the Digital Service is responsible for the strategic direction of Parliament’s digital offering, transforming ways in which citizens can connect with Parliament including building a new website for Parliament, the delivery and management of parliamentary digital platforms, and providing technology services to members and staff in Westminster and throughout the UK.
Before joining the Digital Service, Tracey was a House of Commons Clerk working in the Committee Office, Public Bill Office, Overseas Office and finally the Table Office in the Department of Chamber and Committee Services (DCCS). Tracey was also Private Secretary to the Clerk of the House an Chief Executive for three years, working with House of Commons Board members on the delivery of the House of Commons’ strategic priorities.
She transitioned to this strategically focused role in October 2020 and was previously Chief Information Officer and Managing Director of the Parliamentary Digital Service. A joint department of both Houses of Parliament, the Digital Service is responsible for the strategic direction of Parliament’s digital offering, transforming ways in which citizens can connect with Parliament including building a new website for Parliament, the delivery and management of parliamentary digital platforms, and providing technology services to members and staff in Westminster and throughout the UK.
Before joining the Digital Service, Tracey was a House of Commons Clerk working in the Committee Office, Public Bill Office, Overseas Office and finally the Table Office in the Department of Chamber and Committee Services (DCCS). Tracey was also Private Secretary to the Clerk of the House an Chief Executive for three years, working with House of Commons Board members on the delivery of the House of Commons’ strategic priorities.
16:30 - 16:40
Discussion
16:40 - 16:45
Chair's closing comments
Mike Smith
Programme Director Restoring Your Railways Network Rail Ltd
Mike Smith
Programme Director Restoring Your Railways, Network Rail Ltd
Mike Smith joined the railway in York in the mid 90’s after completing the NHS Graduate Management scheme. Since joining Mike has working in several regions of Railtrack/Network Rail mostly in sponsorship and strategic planning roles. During this time, he has led introduction of new rail services, new rolling stock, transformation of stations and passenger facilities, plus several programmes to improve passenger, public and rail employee safety.
Currently Mike leads the Restoring Your Railway Programme for Network Rail in partnership with Department for Transport. The RYR programme is committed to reconnecting communities and driving economic growth by reopening railway lines and stations.
Currently Mike leads the Restoring Your Railway Programme for Network Rail in partnership with Department for Transport. The RYR programme is committed to reconnecting communities and driving economic growth by reopening railway lines and stations.
16:50 - 17:15
Sponsorship Network Drop In Session
An opportunity for you to learn more about the Association's Sponsorship Network.
17:15 - 17:15
Close