A Portishead company could be in line to help FIFA improve the way its runs major projects and programmes, including the World Cup.

North Somerset Times: Rod Sowden in Zurich.Rod Sowden in Zurich. (Image: Archant)

Aspire Europe, based in Port Marine, specialises in project and programme management performance.

The company, headed by Rod Sowden, was invited to tender for a major review of the way FIFA runs various projects, including the football World Cup.

Aspire beat off competition to make the shortlist which saw Rod and his team pitch to FIFA.

Over the past five years FIFA has invested in ways to improve the way it runs major events.

It has been assessing its systems and procedures using a method called P3M3 (Portfolio, Programme, Project Management Maturity Model), which is a method Aspire developed for the UK Government five years ago.

Rod said: “For a sports fanatic like me it is extremely exciting to be pitching to FIFA, visiting its HQ in Zurich.

“It is exciting an organisation like FIFA has found out about us, so whatever the outcome of this particular bid we hope to be discussing other services with them in the future.”

Aspire has been operating since 2004 and employs a team of 10 people. The company started to take off when it was selected to write the UK Government standard guidance on programme management in 2007, and followed this up with the development of a programme and project maturity model for the UK government in 2008 which has been adopted across the world.

The National Audit Office used Aspire as its topic experts to support reviews of the London Olympic Games, it is preferred supplier to the Australian and New Zealand governments and provides programme and project management support to many organisations in the West Country.

This year Aspire also has three books being published.

Rod added: “We all have a great passion for what we do, the team is totally committed and it is very satisfying knowing that our work helps so many organisations to improve their programme and project management success, locally and around the world.”