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Since 2003, IPM has been running its annual graduate awards programme. Many of our successful award winners have progressed to become influential and highly respected leaders in the field.
The objectives of the IPM Graduate of the Year Awards are to:
Over the years, working with such highly motivated students has been an immensely rewarding experience. As our graduates advance in their careers, they continue to shape the future of the profession through their influence and leadership.
We take great pride in acknowledging their successes and wish them continued growth and achievement as they further their impact within their industries.
We are excited to present the 2026 graduates of IPM’s prestigious programmes, recognising their outstanding professional accomplishments and the significant contributions they make to their organisations. This year, we highlight the inspiring journeys of three exceptional individuals who have applied their education to foster both personal career development and organisational success.
Nicholas Feehan is the Corporate Services Manager at Cappa Construction & Maintenance, a Sydney-based company that spans across infrastructure, commercial, marine, and residential sectors. Originally from London, Nicholas moved to Ireland in 2005 and relocated to Australia in 2021.
With a diverse background in science, healthcare, and construction, Nicholas now oversees HR, compliance, and governance and drives the company’s strategic growth and continuous improvement initiatives.
Nicholas holds a BSc in Earth & Ocean Science from N.U.I. Galway and completed an MSc in Speech and Language Therapy at the University of Limerick. He practised as a Speech & Language Therapist (SLT) in Ireland until 2020, before relocating to Australia. His early exposure to construction led him to pivot careers, moving into project coordination and progressively taking on greater responsibilities, eventually becoming the Corporate Services Manager at Cappa Construction & Maintenance.
Nicholas was already managing projects at Cappa Construction, but wanted to formalise his knowledge in project management. He sought to gain a stronger theoretical foundation, improve consistency across projects, and apply recognised best practices to enhance his company’s operations.
The IPM Certified Project Management Diploma offered practical tools, frameworks, and methodologies that could be immediately implemented in the construction and operational environment.
The Certified Project Management Diploma has boosted Nicholas’s confidence and understanding of project management, strengthening his ability to manage the entire project lifecycle. He now communicates more effectively with stakeholders, applies structured planning and risk management approaches, and uses project management techniques to drive consistent outcomes. The course validated his on-the-job experience and enhanced his ability to contribute strategically to projects and the wider organisation.
Eoghan Casey is a Senior Lead Project Engineer at EirGrid, where he leads the delivery of large-scale onshore infrastructure developments that are critical to Ireland’s electricity grid and national energy goals.
With over a decade of experience, Eoghan has a proven track record in delivering complex telecom and electricity infrastructure projects across Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Eoghan graduated from the Limerick Institute of Technology in 2014 with a Bachelor of Engineering in Facilities Engineering, earning First Place in the Engineering Department Project Showcase. His career began at Delmec Engineering in Carlow, Ireland, before transitioning into project management roles in Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Eoghan has managed telecom infrastructure projects across several continents and led global innovation at Delmec Engineering, where he pioneered drone-based surveying and BIM integration. Today, Eoghan leads grid development initiatives at EirGrid, delivering vital projects that support Ireland’s energy infrastructure.
Eoghan has managed complex infrastructure projects globally, starting with structural engineering and moving into project management roles across Africa, Europe, and Asia. His extensive experience includes overseeing telecom rollouts, structural site surveys, and major infrastructure developments. He also pioneered innovations in drone-based surveying and BIM, enhancing health, safety, and accuracy in project delivery.
Eoghan recognised that his experience managing individual projects needed to be complemented by a deeper understanding of programme-level strategy. His role at EirGrid, managing large infrastructure projects critical to national energy objectives, inspired him to formalise his understanding of programme governance and strategic frameworks to better align his work with Ireland’s broader energy strategy.
The Strategic Project Programme Management Diploma has transformed Eoghan’s approach to programme management, enabling him to step into a strategic leadership role at EirGrid. He now has a stronger framework for governance, risk management, and stakeholder engagement, which is essential for communicating with regulatory bodies and leading cross-functional teams on complex grid development projects. The course has provided him with the tools and confidence to ensure that every phase of their work aligns with the long-term strategic roadmap for Ireland’s energy infrastructure.
Conor Maloney is an Operations Manager with over 10 years of experience leading large-scale campus operations within University College Dublin’s Estate Services. He specialises in strategic operations, capital development support, procurement, and governance.
Conor has successfully managed multi-million-euro budgets, supported complex capital development programmes, and driven data-driven operational improvements within the University’s Estate. He is dedicated to leadership, engaging stakeholders, and developing resilient, high-performing teams and systems in a dynamic Higher Education environment.
Before starting the Project Leadership & Management Diploma, I progressed through various operational roles within UCD Estate Services, moving from Duty Manager to Facilities Manager and now to Operations Manager.
My experience primarily focused on ensuring smooth, 24/7 operations across our campuses, managing multi-million-euro budgets and service contracts, developing new roles, leading teams, and implementing operational systems. Additionally, I was heavily involved in procurement strategy, stakeholder engagement, and cross-University collaboration.
Over the past few years, I have assumed a larger role in supporting major capital development programmes at the university.
My decision to pursue the Project Leadership & Management Diploma with IPM was influenced by the scale and complexity of the projects I was supporting, particularly major capital developments and strategic operational change initiatives.
While I have strong practical experience, an MSc in Management from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, and an Advanced Diploma in Public Procurement Law from King’s Inns, I wanted to improve my formal project leadership skills and align my experience with recognised best practices.
A colleague recommended that I explore IPM’s course offerings. After conducting some research, I found that IPM’s strong reputation, practical focus, and alignment with international project management standards made it the ideal choice for me. The programme provided an opportunity to formalise my experience, challenge my thinking, and build confidence in applying project management methodologies across both the Capital and Operational environments of my work.
Since completing the Diploma, I have noticed a significant impact on my approach to strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and risk management. I have definitely become more deliberate in how I align operational delivery with strategic-level objectives.
It has certainly strengthened my ability to structure complex initiatives, define scopes more clearly, manage competing stakeholder expectations, and embed stronger reporting and accountability mechanisms. It has also enhanced my confidence in leading cross-functional teams and contributing at a more strategic level within Estate Services and the wider University, particularly in discussions on capital planning, procurement strategy, and organisational design.
Congratulations to Nicholas Feehan, Eoghan Casey, and Chetan Watts for their exceptional achievements and contributions to their respective industries. Their dedication to professional growth and commitment to excellence embody the values that IPM strives to instil in its graduates.
If you would like to read about the awards from previous years, please visit The Institute page.
