Our Past
The Association was founded in 1981 with the distinct purpose of improving the initiation, delivery and outcome of major projects. The first meetings of our founders were small groups of senior leaders from across a wide range of different sectors including mining, oil and gas, transport and infrastructure. Their intention was to compare successes and failures, to determine if there were any areas of common interest and to share knowledge and best practice to help improve all future projects.
Our first meetings were hosted by the Oxford Centre for Management Studies (later known as Templeton College, later still as Said Business School) and in good academic style they captured the learnings in detailed reports. You can see our very first seminar report here.
Today we still follow the example of our founders by creating opportunities for cross-sectoral learning and the sharing of knowledge.
Our Present
We currently have 97 member organisations, representing a wide variety of sectors up and down the supply chain. Members include client bodies such as government departments, utilities, transport bodies, energy companies as well as contractors, consultants, project management professionals, law firms and specialist SMEs. We also have a number of University members which bring academic rigour to our deliberations.
Because our membership covers both the length and breadth of major project organisations it means that our discussions are fully inclusive of all key voices and experiences within the major project community. Such that our debates are full and the take-aways are robust.
We continue to organise cross-sectoral knowledge-sharing events and activities and maintain our commitment to the capturing of knowledge in our wide portfolio of reports.
Our Future
Our Strategy 2030 sets out a renewed ambition for the Association: to be a responsive, outward-facing and influential force in the major projects landscape. We will continue to convene our diverse membership through seminars, studies and professional development – now with an even stronger focus on collaboration, inclusion and impact.
Over the coming years, we will champion the value of major projects more explicitly, highlighting their contribution to society, the environment, and the economy. Member-led networks, thematic initiatives and integrated activities will ensure we remain agile and relevant in a rapidly changing world.
As we look to the future, we remain committed to our core purpose: improving the initiation, delivery and outcomes of major projects through the collective insight, experience and innovation of our members.