Celebration of astronomical contribution

APM chairman Steve Wake described Tom Taylor’s contribution to the association and the profession as ‘astronomical’ as the APM president prepares to stand down from his role after three years.

Speaking at the APM Annual General Meeting, Tom (pictured) thanked members, volunteers, staff and the profession more widely and encouraged them to ‘keep going’ in their quest to raise the profile of professional project management and achieve project success.

APM chief executive Sara Drake said: “On behalf of everyone within the APM community I would like to thank Tom Taylor particularly for his presidential term – as the latest stage in his APM career.

"We have valued his enthusiasm, engagement, encouragement, enterprise, experience and expertise across a range of topics in this role.”

Tom became president in 2012, taking over from Dr Martin Barnes CBE. He was chairman of APM from 2004-2006 and before that chairman of the APM London Branch.

During this time as chairman and president he oversaw a wide range of changes across the association, including introducing new governance processes, refreshing the APM identity and supporting the association in its move to new offices in Princes Risborough.

In 2015, much of this hard work was recognised when Tom represented APM in picking up the award for Best UK Association at the Association Excellence Awards. Tom is a joint founding director of Buro Four, principal at Dashdot and a Visiting Professor at Salford University.

As well as a familiar and popular conference speaker around the world, Tom was also the first recipient of the APM President’s Medal in 2006, which has only been awarded three times in the association’s history.

He was made an Honorary Fellow in 2009 and was awarded the Sir Monty Finniston Award, which recognises a lifetime’s contribution to the profession.

He was also one of the first to become an APM Registered Project Professional. Earlier this year he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the International Project Management Association.

Having swept the board with APM awards, chairman Steve Wake recognised Tom’s achievements with a gift that was truly out of this world; a star registered under the name Ibis, the iconic bird featured in the APM logo and introduced by Tom when the association rebranded in 2005.

Having completed his duties as president, Tom will take up a role as an APM vice-president in the New Year.

On 26 November the APM announced that the new president succeeding Tom will be David Waboso CBE.