Dr Paul Chapman is a Fellow in Operations Management at Saïd Business School, where he is a leading expert on the learning and development of executives, especially the people responsible for leading the delivery of Major Programmes / Major Projects typically valued at $1billion+.
Two of the programmes Chapman is currently responsible for are:
(i) Oxford’s MSc in Major Programme Management, a two-year, part-time programme that attracts senior programme leaders from around the world (50% are based outside the UK) who lead programmes across a range of sectors.
(ii) the UK Government’s Major Project Leadership Academy, MPLA, a one-year, part-time programme for the Major Project Leaders responsible for delivering the UK Central Government’s portfolio strategic projects valued at over £500bn.
These programmes involve working closely with client organisations and participants to understanding their potential for development and growth through to realising these opportunities. This role also includes engaging teams of faculty and experienced practitioners to create the design and content required to ensure an engaging learning experience.
For example, in addition to the MPLA, Chapman’s work with the UK Government extends to include developing and delivering workshops for the Civil Service’s Permanent Secretaries and also for particular Departments that bring together Ministerial teams and their Senior Civil Servants.
This means that the insights and capabilities Major Project Leaders develop on the Academy receive better support and can be implemented more effectively in the workplace, which is leading to notable improvements in Major Project delivery.
Chapman has experience in working on and researching mega-projects, for example on the EPSRC funded ‘Super Value Goods Initiative’ and through managing projects in the aerospace sector.
He has also led work on delivering improvements to automotive supply networks and international retail supply chains, which means he has specific insight into industrial megaprojects as well as a broad understanding of the major programme management field.
Currently he is working on a research project for the Department of Health involving a literature review into the benefits of health ICT investments.
Before joining Saïd Business School, Chapman was a Senior Research Fellow at Cranfield School of Management and previously was a member of the Warwick Manufacturing Group at the University of Warwick.
He continues to be a member of the teaching faculty at Copenhagen Business School, where he has twice been elected teacher of year on the EMBA. Prior to this, Chapman took his BEng, MSc and Engineering Doctorate at the University of Warwick, UK.