I set out to become an Academy Chairman after I had become bored with the routine as the Managing Director of an engineering company. Truth be told, I had fallen ill and a spell in hospital gave me an excellent opportunity to reflect upon my life so far - and where next. So there I was: MD of a PLC subsidiary at 30, ex-MD, ex-MBO at 40 and needing something fulfilling to do - and an income!
Luckily I had been a member of the Academy for a few years and after some persuasion from Brian Chernett (who was Chairman of my Academy Group) I decided to become Chairman of a group myself. It was not an easy journey for me: I was happy running meetings but had not really had a coaching style as leader - so I had much to learn there. And I had an engineering background but no sales experience, so wasn't really sure how to build the businesses.
So I had lots to learn. With the help of my colleagues in the Academy; and with some high-quality external personal development I got there. I built my groups as I learned the essential aspects of my new trade and within a few short years I was invoicing £250,000 per year and having great fun making a good living and continuing my own personal development.

Q: Why did you want to become an Academy Chairman?
A: The idea of working with motivated Chief executives plus the freedom and variety really appealed to me. I couldn't have known how far this would exceed my expectations!

Q: How did you build your Group?
A: Mostly through marketing. I had a great network but of the wrong type of businesses for the Academy (too large or too small). Breakfast events were the main activity at first. After that the members do a lot to help you build the group if you ask them to!

Q: Talk to me about the return on investment you've experienced?
A: From an initial investment of £25K I have had a return each year of around 12 times per annum. I also run a recruitment business and the Academy provides many of my customer contacts and referrals.

Q: Why did you want to become an Academy Chairman?
A. My wife and I wanted to become Academy chairmen because we have a lifetime of helping people achieve their full potential - in other words "helping people reach their stars!"

Q: How did you build your Group?
A: We built the group through mail-shots, referrals and leads from our consultancy clients

Q: Talk to me about the return on investment you've experienced?
A: The ROI is impressive providing there is ongoing marketing - it never stops. Money is important, of course, but many chairmen including us, are doing this because it gives us a richer life not just a richer lifestyle

Q: Why did you want to become an Academy Chairman?
A. I wanted to work with a group and create life changing experiences.

Q: How did you build your Group?
A: I started on day 1 with 10 members, by working my network I handpicked those who I genuinely believed had the ambition to improve and the desire to learn. I also like to create a good synergy within the group.

Q: Talk to me about the return on investment you've experienced?
A: The traditional return of investment is finance and on this measurement the Academy provides me with a 6 figure salary pro rata. However, non-financial return of investment is significantly greater and nothing can replace the feeling you get when a group member tells you that you have "changed my life" - hopefully for the better!