What Our Members Say...
"As a result of being part of the Academy group, I'm more focused on finding opportunities and being more entrepreneurial. I have no doubt at all that my membership has more than paid for itself many times over"Mark Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Power Components
"Having the support of The Academy has been a great learning experience and a good way to network with other people. I'm a big believer in creative swiping - I only have to hear one idea from another member or a speaker which I can then tweak and fit into my business."Rob Anders, CEO of Anders Electronics plc
"Membership of The Academy for Chief Executives ensures that every month I take time out to retreat and reflect and step back from what's going on inside the business. For me, that's the biggest benefit. It forces me to take a few hours out - to switch off the phone and think about how to improve my own performance as a CEO. It's a great opportunity to learn from other people in different industries but all of whom essentially face the same challenges"
Julian Enoizi, European CEO of CNA Insurance Company Ltd
"The Academy has given me a boardroom of my own where there are no hidden agendas, just people who are working to help me. It has taught me skills, which I use all the time in my day to day life. It has given me direction out of a life filled with stress and dissatisfaction. Life's ups and downs now seem manageable and I look forward to each new endeavour."
Bee Kemball, MD, Debach Enterprises
"I realised I needed to invest in some personal development and I needed to open my mind a bit. Joining The Academy for Chief Executives is the best thing I've ever done. Membership allows you to surround yourself with like-minded individuals. Prior to setting up my own business I didn't fully appreciate how isolating it can be. You need to talk with people who are in the same position as you."
Joe Turnbull, Managing Director of WBS Group
"Some people join solely for networking but I wanted to develop my skills and expertise. As a hands-on leader and someone who likes to get stuck in, I've used my membership to talk through ideas for my business with other Academy members. One of the best things to come out of this has been the growth of the direct sales arm of our business."Jim McNamara, Managing Director of Craghoppers
"Everyone thinks they get good advice but until you experience The Academy you don't know what different advice looks like. We all have support structures around us but they tend to be people we are comfortable with, people who will provide us with answers which, if we're honest, will not really come as a surprise. When you're outside of your normal environment, surrounded by different people, from a range of businesses and experience, the answers could be something you may never have dreamed of - answers which may even unsettle you. But they will enrich your understanding and they will challenge you."Tim Smith, General Manager B.I.G. Group
"I know that one of the perceived 'barriers' to joining The Academy for Chief Executives is the time commitment, but the value generated from giving up one day a month is far greater than the time it will cost you. Both the business and personal benefits of membership are huge. As a leader, the business reflects you and your values. The Academy has helped me to recognize the need to lead from the front and is a major contributory factor in my own positivity and energy. In today's economic climate that's really important."Carolyn Henderson, General Manager of Warren House