Mission statement

We are driven by our purpose to help organisations solve common business problems through sharing knowledge.

Who we are

We started out in 1993 by working in partnership with the UK Cabinet Office to create a standard for project management, with the joint vision of improving outcomes. The result was the launch of the PRINCE2 certification scheme which was widely recognised as best practice for over twenty years until governments and organisations adopted open standards and accessible frameworks to support digital transformation and change.

Our success with PRINCE2 opened many other opportunities including the Accreditor’s role for the UK Cabinet office's ITIL service management portfolio. More recently we were instrumental in driving agile approaches which have now become popular with organisations and government.

We operate globally. Our head office is in the UK and we have offices around the world including Australia, China, India, Netherlands, South Africa and the United States.

 

What we do

Through our technology and deep expertise of creating best practice solutions, we help our partners curate their domain knowledge into a verified certification scheme. This provides the knowledge, skills and abilities for organisations to align themselves with standards and regulations. 

APM Group is audited annually by the United Kingdom Accreditation Services (UKAS) and we are accredited for BS ISO/IEC 17065:2012 for product/process and ISO/IEC 17024:2012 for personnel

We currently work in partnership with over 100 organisations to turn Intellectual Property into a best practice certification scheme. Our current clients include HM Treasury, NCSC (National Cyber Security Center), World Bank Group and Global Center on Adaption. We work with several membership organisations including Agile Business Consortium, ISACA and the Change Management Institute. Business partners include International Aerospace Quality Group, Ploughshare and SkillsTX.

An APMG certification scheme can:

  • Grow your community
  • Build your authority as a thought leader
  • Create another stream of revenue
  • Promote your brand
  • Validate skills
  • Protect your IP

Building global best practice knowledge and standards

We’ve helped more than 3 million individuals and organisations in over 130 countries improve the way they work.

Skills and standards help people and organisations improve, meet legislation, or adapt new ways of working such as business agility, digital transformation and change. Contact us today to discover how our expert services can help you realise your vision. 

Testimonials

Working with APMG has really helped open some doors by assessing our ‘Applied Cyber Security for OT engineers’ training to gain NCSC certified training status. We looked at this pathway in the early stages of the courses development but thought it was a ‘a bridge too far’, however with APMG's help, they guided us through this process. Having the course certification has led to an increase in enquiries and ultimately an increase in bookings. We’re now delivering what our customers and the industry has been asking for.

SolutionsPT logo
Lee Carter

The Welsh government has saved 30-40% of time in producing the proposal methodology since we launched the Better Business Cases programme in 2013. Training was the key. We have seen far more people following best practice.

The NCSC has worked with APMG in several places, not just CCP, so this is a good opportunity for me to thank them for their continued support to the NCSC. Cyber security is a “team game”; the interconnectedness of the world, plus the rapidly changing landscape means that the NCSC can’t possibly do what it does on its own. We rely on partners, such as APMG, who are always willing to lean in to help us when we ask or challenge us to keep us on our toes. They really do help us extend the NCSC’s reach; together we are helping to make the UK a safer place to live and work online.

NCSC Assured Service Provider logo
Anne W
Head of Industry Assurance at the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)

We are delighted to partner with APMG to share with the world an unprecedented certification program on PPPs. This new curriculum aims to build capacity through foundation exams and a thorough PPP Guide. We hope this will serve as a comprehensive resource for PPP professionals and enable better understanding of how to deliver PPPs globally.

Image of Laurence Carter WBG
Laurence Carter
Senior Director, Public-Private Partnerships, World Bank Group

The Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Officers Program is an important step in building the capacity of public-private partnerships practitioners around the world as GCA continues to work with countries and partners to drive investment into resilient infrastructure on the ground.

Image of Patrick Verkooijen
Patrick Verkooijen
CEO, Global Center on Adaption

ISACA has partnered with APMG to create an Accredited Training Program to elevate training experiences and outcomes. Third party accreditation ensures that all certification candidates everywhere achieve measurable learning and achievement.

To fulfil our aim of increasing the success rate of projects all over the world, Half Double Institute has partnered with APMG International to create a global training and certification programme. This programme will increase access to our new radical methodology and help businesses deliver projects that have a greater impact, in less time.

Image of Niels Ahrengot
Niels Ahrengot
Founder, Half Double

APMG helped us create the NIST Cybersecurity Professional (NCSP®) Program, the industry’s first accredited certification training program that teaches a Fast-Track approach on "HOW" to engineer, operationalize and continually innovate an enterprise-wide cybersecurity risk management program based on the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, existing business systems, and the DVMS-CPD model.

Image of Rick Lemieux
Rick Lemieux
Founder & Partner of the DVMS Institute

APMG is a long-time, committed partner of APMP’s as we have grown and improved our scheme of certifications through the years. Whether it be brainstorming solutions to a challenge, troubleshooting issues our members have, or supporting APMP Approved Training Organizations, the APMG International team includes professionals ready to support the vision of our organization and the worldwide APMP certification program.

APMP Logo
Kimberly Kissel, CAE
Director of Certification, APMP

Boards

Board of Directors

Meet the board who are responsible for the governance and strategic direction of APM Group. All of our board members have worked for APM Group for over 10 years and have deep knowledge of the accreditation and certification industry.

Rod Baker
Chairman/Non Executive Director
Roz Barlow
Finance Director
Ellie Bowett
Channel Innovation Director
Michael F. Dallas
Non-Executive Director
Adrian Dooley
Non-Executive Director
Nick Houlton
Chief Operating Officer
Nikki Kelly
Product Innovation Director
Richard Pharro
Chief Executive Officer
Emma Vernon
HR Director

Rod Baker


Chairman/Non Executive Director

Rod Baker - Chairman/Non Executive Director

As well as his role as a non-executive Director of APMG since 1997, Rod has operated as an independent project, programme and PMO management professional since 1998. He has worked for many FTSE companies in finance, telecoms, defence, engineering and transportation, where he has earned a reputation for achieving success in project turnarounds and transformations. Rod's experience of agile technologies has made him aware that there is room for many approaches and methodologies, for successful project delivery.

Rod has supported Project Management Professional Bodies at the highest levels as a member of the APM Board at various times between 1993 and 2016 and as a Director of GAPPS – the Global Alliance for the Project Professions. He is currently a member of the SFIA Council – Skills for the Information Age. Rod believes in giving back to his profession initially as an assessor for most of APM’s highest level qualifications and more recently as part of the Design Authority for the House of PMO’s competency framework for PMO professionals.

Rod Baker - Chairman/Non Executive Director

Roz Barlow


Finance Director

Roz Barlow - Finance Director

Roz joined APMG in 2004 and has over 20 years’ experience of IT, finance, treasury, budgeting and accounting management, with responsibility for providing strategic financial leadership, advice and guidance on financial matters. At an operational level, Roz leads the worldwide Finance teams to provide robust financial processes and systems to support the business.

During her time at APMG she has played a pivotal role in a number of organisational change programmes, balancing financial expertise with a sound understanding of commercial challenges and opportunities.

Roz qualified as a Chartered Accountant with the ACCA in 2011 and achieved Fellowship status representing her experience and long-term commitment to professionalism and ethics.

Roz Barlow - Finance Director

Ellie Bowett


Channel Innovation Director

Ellie Bowett - Channel Innovation Director

Ellie has over 20 years’ experience in the certification industry across a variety of roles, most recently heading up the Northern European sales region.  Ellie has a proven track record of delivering sales campaigns and strong skills in Relationship Management, ideas generation and solutions thinking.

Ellie has worked with training providers of all sizes in multiple regions to help them take products to market. She thrives on exploring new initiatives and new ways of working with customers.

Ellie Bowett - Channel Innovation Director

Michael F. Dallas


Non-Executive Director

Michael Dallas - Non-Executive Director

Michael has been a non-executive director of APM Group Ltd (APMG) since its formation in 1995.

After graduating from Cambridge University as a Chemical Engineer in 1967, he worked on water projects in UK, Africa and Seychelles and elsewhere. In the mid-eighties, he moved into project management with Hanscomb and, later, Davis Langdon where he specialised in adding value and reducing risk for clients engaged in major construction projects.

Michael chaired the development of the British Standard in Value Management and the European/UK Value Management Training and Certification System (Value for Europe).

He was lead author for Management of Value (MoV®), a component of the UK Cabinet Office's Best Management Practice portfolio.

His book, ‘Value and Risk Management’ – A Guide to Best Practice, was published by Blackwell Publishing in 2006.

In addition to his role as a non-executive director with APMG, Michael has worked on several of their projects including the development and roll-out of the APMG PPP Certification Programme with the World Bank and other Multilateral Development Banks. This programme enhances capacity for PPP delivery in developing countries by improving the capabilities of PPP practitioners through qualifications, culminating in the Certified PPP Professional (CP3P) credential.

Michael Dallas - Non-Executive Director

Adrian Dooley


Non-Executive Director

Adrian Dooley - Non-Executive Director

Adrian is non-Executive Director of APMG. A frequent author and commentator on Project Management, Adrian has been published in Professional Engineer, Computer Weekly and The Daily Telegraph amongst others. He has been a regular speaker at conferences such as Best Practice Showcase, the APM Annual Conference and Project Challenge.
Adrian’s current area of research is the adaptation and integration of bodies of knowledge, methodologies, competency frameworks and maturity models to create an overarching, consistent framework for project, programme and portfolio (P3) management.
Adrian was the Managing Director of TPG, which he founded in 1984 and sold in 2008. Originally a Project Planner and Surveyor on major construction projects such as Hope Hospital and the CWS Bank HQ, he subsequently became a Project Manager on commercial housing, sheltered accommodation and care home projects.
He is an Honorary Fellow and active member of the APM. He was the consistency author of version 6 of the APM’s Body of Knowledge.

Adrian Dooley - Non-Executive Director

Nick Houlton


Chief Operating Officer

Nick Houlton - Chief Operating Officer

Nick leads the worldwide team at APMG-International and is responsible for all aspects of our examination business.

With a background in the IT Industry, he has held senior management positions at leading software companies. His early consulting career focused on organisational change management and the adoption of new technology.

Nick has considerable experience of working in different business cultures and has led groups throughout EMEA, AAPJ and the Americas, delivering profitable growth through innovation and an unfailing commitment to customer satisfaction.  He is a founding member of the Lean IT Association.

Nick holds a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed hons) degree from the University of London.

Nick Houlton - Chief Operating Officer

Nikki Kelly


Product Innovation Director

Nikki Kelly - Product Innovation Director

Nikki is responsible for developing and expanding the APMG Product Portfolio, bringing on new schemes and considering how APMG can utilise innovations within the examination and assessment market to maintain our position as leading global Certification Body.

Since joining APMG in 1999, Nikki has led teams in Operations, Quality, Accreditation and Product Development. giving a rounded overview of the certification and training marketplace. Nikki has led several transformation projects including the revolutionary OTE approach to assessments, organisation change restructures and international development, external accreditation awards and the authoring of the CP3P Body of Knowledge.

Nikki holds the Chartered Manager qualification from Chartered Management Institute, as well as several qualifications within the APMG portfolio. She has a passion for coaching others to enable them to meet their full potential.

Nikki Kelly - Product Innovation Director

Richard Pharro


Chief Executive Officer

Richard Pharro - Chief Executive Officer

Richard is the founder and CEO of APMG, one of the few privately owned international accreditation and certification bodies. Started in 1993, APMG has expanded its portfolio to nearly 100 schemes across the management spectrum on behalf of many National and International organisations and has representation in 14 countries.

Richard is a Chartered Director and Civil Engineer who, in his early career, worked on projects in Europe and the Middle East.  His book, The Relationship Manager – The Next Generation of Project Management, was published by Gower in January, 2003.

Richard believes APMG’s success is due to the way everyone within the business builds strong relationships with the people and organisations with whom APMG works.

Richard Pharro - Chief Executive Officer

Emma Vernon


HR Director

HR Director

Emma is responsible for leading the people enablement strategy globally and has worked for APMG since 2007. Emma has over 15 years’ experience in all aspects of HR, with standalone responsibility since January 2018. During her time at APMG, she has led a series of HR-focused projects and initiatives. Emma believes that authenticity, empathy and collaboration are key to successful working relationships.

She is a strong advocate for continuous personal and professional development and completed her Masters in HR Management in 2009 with Buckinghamshire New University.

Emma completed her MBA through the Open University in 2014 and is a Chartered Member of both the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

HR Director

Rod Baker


Chairman/Non Executive Director

Rod Baker - Chairman/Non Executive Director

As well as his role as a non-executive Director of APMG since 1997, Rod has operated as an independent project, programme and PMO management professional since 1998. He has worked for many FTSE companies in finance, telecoms, defence, engineering and transportation, where he has earned a reputation for achieving success in project turnarounds and transformations. Rod's experience of agile technologies has made him aware that there is room for many approaches and methodologies, for successful project delivery.

Rod has supported Project Management Professional Bodies at the highest levels as a member of the APM Board at various times between 1993 and 2016 and as a Director of GAPPS – the Global Alliance for the Project Professions. He is currently a member of the SFIA Council – Skills for the Information Age. Rod believes in giving back to his profession initially as an assessor for most of APM’s highest level qualifications and more recently as part of the Design Authority for the House of PMO’s competency framework for PMO professionals.

Rod Baker - Chairman/Non Executive Director

Roz Barlow


Finance Director

Roz Barlow - Finance Director

Roz joined APMG in 2004 and has over 20 years’ experience of IT, finance, treasury, budgeting and accounting management, with responsibility for providing strategic financial leadership, advice and guidance on financial matters. At an operational level, Roz leads the worldwide Finance teams to provide robust financial processes and systems to support the business.

During her time at APMG she has played a pivotal role in a number of organisational change programmes, balancing financial expertise with a sound understanding of commercial challenges and opportunities.

Roz qualified as a Chartered Accountant with the ACCA in 2011 and achieved Fellowship status representing her experience and long-term commitment to professionalism and ethics.

Roz Barlow - Finance Director

Ellie Bowett


Channel Innovation Director

Ellie Bowett - Channel Innovation Director

Ellie has over 20 years’ experience in the certification industry across a variety of roles, most recently heading up the Northern European sales region.  Ellie has a proven track record of delivering sales campaigns and strong skills in Relationship Management, ideas generation and solutions thinking.

Ellie has worked with training providers of all sizes in multiple regions to help them take products to market. She thrives on exploring new initiatives and new ways of working with customers.

Ellie Bowett - Channel Innovation Director

Michael F. Dallas


Non-Executive Director

Michael Dallas - Non-Executive Director

Michael has been a non-executive director of APM Group Ltd (APMG) since its formation in 1995.

After graduating from Cambridge University as a Chemical Engineer in 1967, he worked on water projects in UK, Africa and Seychelles and elsewhere. In the mid-eighties, he moved into project management with Hanscomb and, later, Davis Langdon where he specialised in adding value and reducing risk for clients engaged in major construction projects.

Michael chaired the development of the British Standard in Value Management and the European/UK Value Management Training and Certification System (Value for Europe).

He was lead author for Management of Value (MoV®), a component of the UK Cabinet Office's Best Management Practice portfolio.

His book, ‘Value and Risk Management’ – A Guide to Best Practice, was published by Blackwell Publishing in 2006.

In addition to his role as a non-executive director with APMG, Michael has worked on several of their projects including the development and roll-out of the APMG PPP Certification Programme with the World Bank and other Multilateral Development Banks. This programme enhances capacity for PPP delivery in developing countries by improving the capabilities of PPP practitioners through qualifications, culminating in the Certified PPP Professional (CP3P) credential.

Michael Dallas - Non-Executive Director

Adrian Dooley


Non-Executive Director

Adrian Dooley - Non-Executive Director

Adrian is non-Executive Director of APMG. A frequent author and commentator on Project Management, Adrian has been published in Professional Engineer, Computer Weekly and The Daily Telegraph amongst others. He has been a regular speaker at conferences such as Best Practice Showcase, the APM Annual Conference and Project Challenge.
Adrian’s current area of research is the adaptation and integration of bodies of knowledge, methodologies, competency frameworks and maturity models to create an overarching, consistent framework for project, programme and portfolio (P3) management.
Adrian was the Managing Director of TPG, which he founded in 1984 and sold in 2008. Originally a Project Planner and Surveyor on major construction projects such as Hope Hospital and the CWS Bank HQ, he subsequently became a Project Manager on commercial housing, sheltered accommodation and care home projects.
He is an Honorary Fellow and active member of the APM. He was the consistency author of version 6 of the APM’s Body of Knowledge.

Adrian Dooley - Non-Executive Director

Nick Houlton


Chief Operating Officer

Nick Houlton - Chief Operating Officer

Nick leads the worldwide team at APMG-International and is responsible for all aspects of our examination business.

With a background in the IT Industry, he has held senior management positions at leading software companies. His early consulting career focused on organisational change management and the adoption of new technology.

Nick has considerable experience of working in different business cultures and has led groups throughout EMEA, AAPJ and the Americas, delivering profitable growth through innovation and an unfailing commitment to customer satisfaction.  He is a founding member of the Lean IT Association.

Nick holds a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed hons) degree from the University of London.

Nick Houlton - Chief Operating Officer

Nikki Kelly


Product Innovation Director

Nikki Kelly - Product Innovation Director

Nikki is responsible for developing and expanding the APMG Product Portfolio, bringing on new schemes and considering how APMG can utilise innovations within the examination and assessment market to maintain our position as leading global Certification Body.

Since joining APMG in 1999, Nikki has led teams in Operations, Quality, Accreditation and Product Development. giving a rounded overview of the certification and training marketplace. Nikki has led several transformation projects including the revolutionary OTE approach to assessments, organisation change restructures and international development, external accreditation awards and the authoring of the CP3P Body of Knowledge.

Nikki holds the Chartered Manager qualification from Chartered Management Institute, as well as several qualifications within the APMG portfolio. She has a passion for coaching others to enable them to meet their full potential.

Nikki Kelly - Product Innovation Director

Richard Pharro


Chief Executive Officer

Richard Pharro - Chief Executive Officer

Richard is the founder and CEO of APMG, one of the few privately owned international accreditation and certification bodies. Started in 1993, APMG has expanded its portfolio to nearly 100 schemes across the management spectrum on behalf of many National and International organisations and has representation in 14 countries.

Richard is a Chartered Director and Civil Engineer who, in his early career, worked on projects in Europe and the Middle East.  His book, The Relationship Manager – The Next Generation of Project Management, was published by Gower in January, 2003.

Richard believes APMG’s success is due to the way everyone within the business builds strong relationships with the people and organisations with whom APMG works.

Richard Pharro - Chief Executive Officer

Emma Vernon


HR Director

HR Director

Emma is responsible for leading the people enablement strategy globally and has worked for APMG since 2007. Emma has over 15 years’ experience in all aspects of HR, with standalone responsibility since January 2018. During her time at APMG, she has led a series of HR-focused projects and initiatives. Emma believes that authenticity, empathy and collaboration are key to successful working relationships.

She is a strong advocate for continuous personal and professional development and completed her Masters in HR Management in 2009 with Buckinghamshire New University.

Emma completed her MBA through the Open University in 2014 and is a Chartered Member of both the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

HR Director

Rod Baker


Chairman/Non Executive Director

Rod Baker - Chairman/Non Executive Director

As well as his role as a non-executive Director of APMG since 1997, Rod has operated as an independent project, programme and PMO management professional since 1998. He has worked for many FTSE companies in finance, telecoms, defence, engineering and transportation, where he has earned a reputation for achieving success in project turnarounds and transformations. Rod's experience of agile technologies has made him aware that there is room for many approaches and methodologies, for successful project delivery.

Rod has supported Project Management Professional Bodies at the highest levels as a member of the APM Board at various times between 1993 and 2016 and as a Director of GAPPS – the Global Alliance for the Project Professions. He is currently a member of the SFIA Council – Skills for the Information Age. Rod believes in giving back to his profession initially as an assessor for most of APM’s highest level qualifications and more recently as part of the Design Authority for the House of PMO’s competency framework for PMO professionals.

Rod Baker - Chairman/Non Executive Director

Roz Barlow


Finance Director

Roz Barlow - Finance Director

Roz joined APMG in 2004 and has over 20 years’ experience of IT, finance, treasury, budgeting and accounting management, with responsibility for providing strategic financial leadership, advice and guidance on financial matters. At an operational level, Roz leads the worldwide Finance teams to provide robust financial processes and systems to support the business.

During her time at APMG she has played a pivotal role in a number of organisational change programmes, balancing financial expertise with a sound understanding of commercial challenges and opportunities.

Roz qualified as a Chartered Accountant with the ACCA in 2011 and achieved Fellowship status representing her experience and long-term commitment to professionalism and ethics.

Roz Barlow - Finance Director

Ellie Bowett


Channel Innovation Director

Ellie Bowett - Channel Innovation Director

Ellie has over 20 years’ experience in the certification industry across a variety of roles, most recently heading up the Northern European sales region.  Ellie has a proven track record of delivering sales campaigns and strong skills in Relationship Management, ideas generation and solutions thinking.

Ellie has worked with training providers of all sizes in multiple regions to help them take products to market. She thrives on exploring new initiatives and new ways of working with customers.

Ellie Bowett - Channel Innovation Director

Michael F. Dallas


Non-Executive Director

Michael Dallas - Non-Executive Director

Michael has been a non-executive director of APM Group Ltd (APMG) since its formation in 1995.

After graduating from Cambridge University as a Chemical Engineer in 1967, he worked on water projects in UK, Africa and Seychelles and elsewhere. In the mid-eighties, he moved into project management with Hanscomb and, later, Davis Langdon where he specialised in adding value and reducing risk for clients engaged in major construction projects.

Michael chaired the development of the British Standard in Value Management and the European/UK Value Management Training and Certification System (Value for Europe).

He was lead author for Management of Value (MoV®), a component of the UK Cabinet Office's Best Management Practice portfolio.

His book, ‘Value and Risk Management’ – A Guide to Best Practice, was published by Blackwell Publishing in 2006.

In addition to his role as a non-executive director with APMG, Michael has worked on several of their projects including the development and roll-out of the APMG PPP Certification Programme with the World Bank and other Multilateral Development Banks. This programme enhances capacity for PPP delivery in developing countries by improving the capabilities of PPP practitioners through qualifications, culminating in the Certified PPP Professional (CP3P) credential.

Michael Dallas - Non-Executive Director

Adrian Dooley


Non-Executive Director

Adrian Dooley - Non-Executive Director

Adrian is non-Executive Director of APMG. A frequent author and commentator on Project Management, Adrian has been published in Professional Engineer, Computer Weekly and The Daily Telegraph amongst others. He has been a regular speaker at conferences such as Best Practice Showcase, the APM Annual Conference and Project Challenge.
Adrian’s current area of research is the adaptation and integration of bodies of knowledge, methodologies, competency frameworks and maturity models to create an overarching, consistent framework for project, programme and portfolio (P3) management.
Adrian was the Managing Director of TPG, which he founded in 1984 and sold in 2008. Originally a Project Planner and Surveyor on major construction projects such as Hope Hospital and the CWS Bank HQ, he subsequently became a Project Manager on commercial housing, sheltered accommodation and care home projects.
He is an Honorary Fellow and active member of the APM. He was the consistency author of version 6 of the APM’s Body of Knowledge.

Adrian Dooley - Non-Executive Director

Nick Houlton


Chief Operating Officer

Nick Houlton - Chief Operating Officer

Nick leads the worldwide team at APMG-International and is responsible for all aspects of our examination business.

With a background in the IT Industry, he has held senior management positions at leading software companies. His early consulting career focused on organisational change management and the adoption of new technology.

Nick has considerable experience of working in different business cultures and has led groups throughout EMEA, AAPJ and the Americas, delivering profitable growth through innovation and an unfailing commitment to customer satisfaction.  He is a founding member of the Lean IT Association.

Nick holds a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed hons) degree from the University of London.

Nick Houlton - Chief Operating Officer

Nikki Kelly


Product Innovation Director

Nikki Kelly - Product Innovation Director

Nikki is responsible for developing and expanding the APMG Product Portfolio, bringing on new schemes and considering how APMG can utilise innovations within the examination and assessment market to maintain our position as leading global Certification Body.

Since joining APMG in 1999, Nikki has led teams in Operations, Quality, Accreditation and Product Development. giving a rounded overview of the certification and training marketplace. Nikki has led several transformation projects including the revolutionary OTE approach to assessments, organisation change restructures and international development, external accreditation awards and the authoring of the CP3P Body of Knowledge.

Nikki holds the Chartered Manager qualification from Chartered Management Institute, as well as several qualifications within the APMG portfolio. She has a passion for coaching others to enable them to meet their full potential.

Nikki Kelly - Product Innovation Director

Richard Pharro


Chief Executive Officer

Richard Pharro - Chief Executive Officer

Richard is the founder and CEO of APMG, one of the few privately owned international accreditation and certification bodies. Started in 1993, APMG has expanded its portfolio to nearly 100 schemes across the management spectrum on behalf of many National and International organisations and has representation in 14 countries.

Richard is a Chartered Director and Civil Engineer who, in his early career, worked on projects in Europe and the Middle East.  His book, The Relationship Manager – The Next Generation of Project Management, was published by Gower in January, 2003.

Richard believes APMG’s success is due to the way everyone within the business builds strong relationships with the people and organisations with whom APMG works.

Richard Pharro - Chief Executive Officer

Emma Vernon


HR Director

HR Director

Emma is responsible for leading the people enablement strategy globally and has worked for APMG since 2007. Emma has over 15 years’ experience in all aspects of HR, with standalone responsibility since January 2018. During her time at APMG, she has led a series of HR-focused projects and initiatives. Emma believes that authenticity, empathy and collaboration are key to successful working relationships.

She is a strong advocate for continuous personal and professional development and completed her Masters in HR Management in 2009 with Buckinghamshire New University.

Emma completed her MBA through the Open University in 2014 and is a Chartered Member of both the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

HR Director

Ethics & Standards Board

The Ethics and Standards Board are responsible for promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct to ensure balanced leadership and accountability.

Darren Dalcher

Darren Dalcher


Professor at Lancaster University Management School, specialising in project management, strategy execution, information systems and software engineering. Serves on a number of research, knowledge and accreditation panels and boards for the APM, PMI, BCS, CMI, and IEEE.

Profile picture of Donna Festorazzi

Donna Festorazzi


Accomplished business owner with award-winning success in the UK, possessing international expertise in mega projects, programmes and Project Management Offices (PMO). Demonstrated proficiency in diverse roles, including Client, Contractor, and Consulting organisation capacities. Recognised as a risk management training provider for Universities and the Institute of Risk Management in the UK.

Grant Howell

Grant Howell


Retired solicitor with extensive experience in management of a large firm's projects in the UK and overseas as well as setting up and running that firm's Project Management Office. Also, had many years experience of being responsible for a professional body's nationwide training programme.

Profile picture of Bill McElroy

Bill McElroy


Honorary Professor at University College London, and retired Partner of Turner & Townsend.  35+ years' experience in major construction and transformation projects.

K. T. Ramakrishnan

K. T. Ramakrishnan


Professional Manager with over four decades of experience. Quality assurance expert, especially in Systems and Standards. Presently working for a US based Standard and Compliance Organization as its global Training Director.

Andy Ranger-Walsh

Andy Ranger-Walsh


20+ years experience in delivering major capital programmes across defence, rail and utilities sectors. Now Head of Programme & Project Controls for a global engineering and management consultancy based in Bristol.