Academy Case Studies

"I have no doubt at all that my membership has more than paid for itself many times over."

Mark Robinson is Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Power Components (APC), an AIM-listed distributor of specialist Electronic Components. He was recently one of the South East Regional Finalists in The Sunday Times Bank of Scotland Entrepreneur Challenge 2008.

"It's not just about the bottom line - membership affects you as a person"

Joe Turnbull, Managing Director of WBS Group, has been a member of Academy Group 11 since July 2007. He joined following the recommendation of a networking contact, "It seemed as if my business had gone from zero to sixty in 5 seconds!" Joe continues, "I realised I needed to invest in some personal development. My background in consultancy had given me an insight into many different businesses, but the reality is quite different when it's your own business. You need external input."

"Having the time to discuss and reflect on issues outside of the business place is a necessity"

Julian Enoizi is the European CEO of CNA Insurance Company Ltd and a member of Academy Group 11. With their American partner, the fourth largest property casualty insurer in the US, and with a turnover of $350m, CNA in Europe is a leading provider of commercial insurance to medium-sized businesses and large corporations.

"Having the support of The Academy has been a great learning experience ..."

Rob Anders is the CEO of Anders Electronics plc and has been a member of Brian Chernett's Academy Group 2 since November 2007. Rob's entrepreneurial flair first surfaced at the age of 13 when he set up his own children's party entertainment business.

"Many business concerns overlap across all sectors"

Eamonn Killoughery is a founding Member of Academy Group 42 and the Managing Director of The GKL Group, a major civil engineering, earthworks and construction company. The business employs around 200 people across two sites – Peterborough/Cambs and Colchester/Essex.

"The quality of the network, the feedback and the learning has continued to grow ..."

Simon Ricketts is currently National Sales Manager of Computeach International Limited and has been a member of Joe Adams' Academy Group 11 since December 2005. He's a gregarious, optimistic individual whose motto is "No Risk, No Reward" and judging by the colourful nature of his bio, he's certainly lived up to that.

"What you think about comes about"

Paul Naylon is Managing Director of Mono Pumps Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the American group, National Oilwell Varco. Paul is a member of Manchester-based Group 18, and joined The Academy for Chief Executives some five years' ago.

"Until you experience The Academy you don't know what different advice looks like"

Tim Smith has been a member of Joe Adams' London-based Leaders' Forum group since October 2005, and joined The Academy following his promotion to the role of General Manager with B.I.G. Group.

"Every Leader Needs To Have A Day Out Of The Organisation"

Andy Hatter has been a member of Academy Group 2 since 2003. He's the former MD of Camden Electronics and is currently preparing to a start a new business.

"talking about things that matter with people who have similar issues"

James is a member of Mike Wilsher's Southampton-based Group 34. James joined the Academy fairly recently – he'd been to a lot of networking-type meetings, but was looking for something with 'more substance'.

"There are so many ideas and strategies that I've taken away"

Peter Shrimpton is General Manager of Mandeville Retail Ltd, specialists in retail management recruitment and part of the Mandeville Recruitment Group. Peter has been a member of Leaders' Forum 9 for five years, and was recommended to join by his MD, who was a member of a Chief Executive Forum.

"superb speakers keep me abreast of the issues in business"

Bryan has been a member of Mike Wilsher's Bath-based group since October 2006. He runs a consulting business that's focused on providing "board level services" to growing businesses.

"Having to articulate those goals to others and have them question you really makes you focus."

Glenn Jones joined Barrie Barrett's Group 13 during the summer of 2005. He is MD of Pearl Lake Leisure Park in Herefordshire, a caravan holiday park with a golf course, bowling green, lake, bar and restaurant.

"I recognised immediately the worth of sharing issues and challenges"

Ken Davis is Managing Director of Automotive Management Ltd, and has been a member of Barrie Barrett's Group 13 since May 2007. Ken says his primary reason for joining was his inner acknowledgement that it can be a very lonely position to own your business,

"I was blown away by the quality of the learning"

Blaire Palmer is a new member of Mike Wilsher's Bath-based Group … but she is no stranger to leadership development and coaching, as she's been running her own business in this area for the last 7 years.

"I wanted to develop my skills and expertise"

When Jim McNamara, Managing Director of Craghoppers outdoor and travel clothing company, joined The Academy five years ago, he did so for personal development reasons. But he has gained so much more than that and is now a staunch regular at Group 18's monthly meetings.

An opportunity to re-energise and remotivate myself

Richard Philip is a founder member of Academy Group 7 and Managing Director of First Concept Ltd, a corporate clothing company specialising in the design, importation and supply of career and workwear to a number of blue chip companies including Tussauds Group, Paramount restaurants, Safestore and others.

Ask yourself the question, "What do I really want in my life?"

Richard Tickle, Chief Executive Officer of Flowmaster Group BV and member of Presidents Forum 532, shares with us his experience of being an ACE member. "So, there I was several years ago, looking, searching, doing the same stuff (quite well as it turned out), but definitely "stuck" ..."

"The Power of ME"

Ian McCann has been a member of Academy Group 1 for several years. In Ian's own words, "When I first joined The Academy for Chief Executives I was a burnt-out, de-motivated Managing Director of the UK subsidiary for a multi national market research company. I had done the corporate 'stuff' for over 20 years and had climbed the ladder with postings in Australia and Asia.

"..a great place to pick up quality learning and development."

Richard Brooman is Chairman of the Invesco Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Trust. A member of The Academy since early in 2003, Richard joined because he liked the shape of the offering: the learning and development part of the monthly meetings, plus the sharing and giving with members in the discussion sessions.