MAJOR PROJECTS ACADEMY
Executive Education | Professional Accreditation | Chartered Progression
Setting the Standard for Strategic Delivery Excellence
A Leading Authority in 'Mega' Projects
Dr Gary Walker
Founder & Academy Director
Founder
Dr Gary Walker is the Founder and Executive Director of the Major Projects Academy, focused on the strategic management of major infrastructure programs and the role of the client in shaping successful outcomes.
His work centres on the level at which major programs are defined—mandate, governance, delivery model, and risk—rather than how they are executed.
Over a career spanning more than 50 years, he has advised governments, infrastructure owners, and leading organisations on the structuring and strategic management of complex capital programs.
He has held senior executive roles with leading international client and Tier 1 organisations and advised on major international transportation, energy, civil infrastructure programs.
He has contributed to academic research and teaching in the field of major projects, including the design and delivery of postgraduate programmes focused on strategic program leadership.
Dr Walker holds undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in construction and project management, and a doctoral degree specialising in major infrastructure programs. He is a distinguished Fellow of Chartered Management Institute; Chartered Institute Logistics & Transport; Chartered Institute of Building; Association of Project Management; Royal Society of Arts & Commerce; Society for the Environment; and Strategic Management Society, making him one of the worlds leading authorities in major infrastructure programs.
His focus remains consistent: ensuring major programs are structured to succeed—not just delivered efficiently.
Strategic Management of Major Projects
Professional Recognition
Major Projects Academy is a Recognised Centre of Excellence approved by the Chartered Management Institute, an internationally recognised professional body for leadership, management and consulting excellence.
Major Projects Academy is dedicated exclusively to advancing the Strategic Management of Major Projects through executive education, applied professional development and professional recognition for leaders responsible for the planning, governance, funding, delivery and long-term stewardship of major infrastructure investment.
The Strategic Management of Major Projects (SMMP) program brings together executive learning, applied assessment, a strategic thesis and a professional viva voce into a single, integrated program of professional development, designed to prepare leaders to advise and influence the successful delivery of major infrastructure investment throughout its full lifecycle.
Successful completion of the program results in the award of the Certificate in Strategic Management of Major Projects, jointly awarded by Major Projects Academy and the Chartered Management Institute.
The completed Strategic Management of Major Projects program aligns with UNESCO's International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED 7), recognising Master's-level executive professional development.
In addition to the Joint Certificate, graduates are formally recognised by Major Projects Academy as a Major Projects Advisor (MPA), recognising their demonstrated capability to provide strategic advice across the complete lifecycle of major infrastructure investment—from strategic need and business case development through governance, funding, procurement, programme delivery, operational readiness, benefits realisation and long-term asset stewardship.
Together, the Joint Certificate in Strategic Management of Major Projects and professional recognition as a Major Projects Advisor (MPA) represent the successful completion of the Academy's integrated executive education, professional development and strategic advisory accreditation pathway.
The program also provides participants with a recognised pathway towards Chartered Management Consultant (ChMC) professional status through the Chartered Management Institute, supporting continued professional development and international recognition within the global management consulting profession.
Books
Role of the Client
This book is dedicated to the strategic management of mega projects, and in particular, the role of the client. We look at the role of the client executive sponsor and how to use alternative, proven management techniques, that will improve your performance as a project leader. The content includes teachings on client sponsorship; executive leadership; mega project governance; strategic procurement; performance improvement; and organisational strategy
System Methodology
This book is dedicated to the strategic management of mega projects, and in particular, to system methodology. We look at the systematic approach a client executive sponsor has to manage during the strategic planning, program development, and project implementation phases of mega project.
The content includes detailed sub-process guidance on management components; vertical connectivity interfaces; stage-gateway hold points; input/output criteria; key activity milestones to enable a client to be informed and seen as a mega project leader.
Funding Mastery
This book is dedicated to the strategic management of mega projects and in particular, to the funding of mega projects. We look at the available ways for clients executive sponsors to fund, from traditional project finance, to turnkey concessions, and alternative structures. We examine the origins, the players, and benefits of each funding route to give you a clear understanding and 'mastery'.
The content includes the origins of project finance; the funding structures of past mega projects; processes involved; and analysis.