Gaining Value Through Project Closure: Making the End Matter

Major Projects Association

In this episode of the Major Projects Association podcast, Executive Director Andy Murray is joined by Mark Sutton, Elections Programme Manager at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, to explore one of the most overlooked stages of the project lifecycle: closure.

Building on insights from the Association’s recent seminar ‘Enhancing value through project closure’, Andy and Mark discuss how effective closure planning can turn the end of a project into a moment of value creation rather than decline. Drawing on real experience from the government’s electoral integrity programme, Mark shares how early preparation, structured learning, and clear communication helped his team navigate scrutiny, uncertainty, and transition.

Together, they examine the importance of acting early, looking after team wellbeing through periods of change, and recognising the different leadership styles needed to finish strong. From government programmes to major infrastructure, this conversation reveals how disciplined closure, underpinned by learning, legacy, and leadership, can make the difference between simply ending a project and truly completing it.

As Mark reminds us, successful closure isn’t about winding down; it’s about finishing well and setting the stage for future success.

Links
Enhancing value through project closure seminar information and Highlights report
No more Heroes report

Mark Sutton
Elections Programme Manager, Directorate Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)

Mark Sutton stepped up from Head of Programme Management Office to programme manage the Electoral Integrity Programme from June 2023 until its closure in Spring 2025. He had oversight of the first instance in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government of closing a Government Major Projects Portfolio initiative.

Starting as a member of multi-disciplinary Royal Mail project teams in the 1980s, he has led increasingly complex and high-value projects and programmes at Royal Mail and subsequent employer and client organisations.

As an ex-professional trainer and ex-consultant, he is passionate about using only proportionate P3M to manage change activity, and develop project delivery professionals who will go on to make project delivery professionals of others. He has developed project, programme, portfolio and change management frameworks and developed centres of excellence to enable organisations to improve their approach to change delivery.

Mark is a Chartered Project Professional, and has achieved Government project delivery profession practitioner-level accreditation. He has conducted medium risk Gate reviews on behalf of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority.

Mark led a local community school-place campaign programme, and in 2013 co-founded the first secondary school in his district for 35 years. To date this has been the single most rewarding application of his change management experience.

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn.