Meet Ed Mason-Smith, APM’s Chartered Project Professional of the Year

What are the secrets to Ed Mason-Smith’s success? As Director of Project Services at his company CBO, and Chair of APM’s Channel Islands Branch, I asked him how it felt to win the APM award for Chartered Project Professional of the Year? “It feels amazing and pretty insane to have won.” he reflects. “It is a great thing to have when I am speaking to people about project management,” whether that’s going into organisations to share his advice on what good project management looks like or working on the actual delivery of projects.

How to carve out a successful career

Mason-Smith got into project management after starting his career in engineering, specifically on wind turbines, but soon got interested in the people side of change. “The thing that I love about projects was that it was all about people. It doesn't matter if it is a technology project, an engineering project or an organisational change project, I want to be working with people, trying to change things for the better,” he says.

He attributes his successful career in project management to a simple philosophy: seizing every opportunity that comes his way. This proactive approach extends beyond his primary responsibilities, leading him to take on roles and challenges beyond the day job. One example was his involvement in the establishment of the APM's Channel Islands Committee.

"While I was focused on my work at my company, the proposal to create the local committee came along. Without hesitation, I saw the potential and engaged in this great idea," he recounts. For Mason-Smith, it's not just about taking up tasks; it's about grabbing chances for growth, learning, and contribution wherever they might arise.

Change is what it’s all about

It's delivering change that really fires up Mason-Smith’s interest in project management. “The thing that I love about project management is that it is about delivering change. Everyone wants to make a change. You never have a CEO who joins an organisation who says, “I'm here for the status quo”, he says.

He finds the greatest fulfilment in projects that have a tangible, positive impact on people's lives. "What drives me is the opportunity to effect change. Making a meaningful difference is at the heart of why doing change well matters so much," he says. His commitment to improvement is reflected through his involvement in local initiatives in the Channel Islands. For Mason-Smith, the joy comes from seeing the direct benefits his work brings to the community, making these projects particularly close to his heart.

Career advice

Mason-Smith offers career advice for fellow project professionals: "Your dual role is to steer the project's process while also identifying opportunities to enhance value. The goal is to establish a framework that paves the way for success, enabling both you and your team to achieve excellent outcomes," he explains. This approach focuses on empowering your team to take responsibility for their work, while you concentrate on delivering the best possible project structure and ensuring the project is headed in the right direction.

He observes a common pitfall among project managers: becoming overly involved in operational details and attempting to address every issue themselves. "Your fundamental duty as a project leader is not to individually fix every problem that arises but to enable potential risks to be identified and mitigated, provide a clear project structure, and ensure the team is well-supported," he explains.

Success doesn't rest on your shoulders alone; it's about creating a supportive environment and doing the basics well. "Avoid shouldering the entire burden — focus on building a solid foundation that facilitates project success."

Being able to take a step back

Ultimately, he believes, project management is about relying on good common sense, using best practice, and taking the time to understand what that project means for the organisation and project you are working on. This means tailoring the project management process to the project but without reinventing the wheel.

“That's what’s going to help you deliver better projects, move up, and help you become recognised. It's about using your time to truly make a difference,” he says with a smile.