A new breed of Executive Assistants
Read about our successful students
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Completed the Level 4 EA Diploma
I work for Muse Developments and support the Managing Director and Regional Director as an Executive Assistant.
About two years ago, I recognised how the PA role was changing, and realised I needed to adapt. I wanted to push myself to complete a formal professional qualification. This was a daunting prospect, having never been very academic previously! Adam Fidler Academy was the only course that really took the PA/EA role to the next level, focusing on management techniques and not admin skills.
Studying whilst working full time and having a family was initially challenging! I had to set aside time during the weekend to study and complete written assignments, but it was very rewarding.
Since completing my Level 4 EA Diploma, I have been able to adapt my role and set aside time to think more strategically and work as a manager; now I am more commercially and business aware. I’d recommend the EA Diploma to any PA who wants to grow their confidence and operate in a more fulfilling and managerial way.
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Completed the Level 4 Certificate in Business and Administration Management.
My support role experience started in my early twenties. I was fortunate to work for an organisation whose aim was to improve working life. The great recession of 2008 raised my awareness and I wanted to work for an organisation that had purpose and cared about people. This meant taking risks to find the right fit.
I joined Arup in 2014 and began to feel valued and a sense of belonging. I was genuinely motivated.
To help me remain focussed and be inspired to improve my own capabilities, I decided to research courses for EAs. I consulted with my employer, and decided that the Level 4 Certificate in Business and Administration Management, at Adam Fidler Academy, was the best fit. My experience was superb, and I have recently qualified. Working full time and studying takes lots of discipline and motivation.
My confidence has grown, and my understanding of the commercial world has made me more curious. Learning about the qualities of leadership and how people can become a leader of their own destiny makes me think more creatively about my own future. I am delighted that my qualification resulted in my promotion to Business Assistant here at Arup. I’m certainly looking forward to supporting my colleagues in achieving positive results and sharing the things I have learnt at Adam Fidler Academy.
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Completed the two-day The Strategic Executive Assistant course and the Level 4 EA Diploma qualification.
After working as a Legal Secretary for a few years I started to want more for my role and to grow and develop. I knew I had to learn more so attended the two-day The Strategic Executive Assistant course. Not long after I was given the added responsibility of Office Manager, managing a team of assistants and was involved in the company obtaining their ISO certification.
I have always had the drive to improve, grow and develop and wanted to undertake the EA Diploma. It was not an easy task, by no means, as I was working full-time in KPMG in Ireland and organising a family relocation to Thailand. I had to plan and set aside time to study as well as complete the assignments.
I am proud of my Level 4 EA Diploma qualification. It made me realise how much I do know and helped me see things from a different perspective and implement what I had learned.
Obtaining a qualification has increased my confidence, credibility and given me the tools and foundation to work towards starting my own company. I am looking forward to doing the Level 5! It has been a wonderful journey so far and I look forward to seeing where it takes me in the future. If I can do it so can you!
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Executive Assistant to CEO, Nedbank Private Wealth
Completed ‘The Strategic EA’ programme and qualified with the IQ IAM Level 4 Certificate in Office and Admin Management with Additional Units
I started my career in 2014 working for an e-gaming company as a Receptionist, before progressing to working as a PA in 2015. I have always been passionate about self-development; this passion led me to meeting Adam Fidler. After attending ‘The Strategic EA’ course. I immediately went back to my bosses to ask to be more involved, and was keen to learn more about the business - to make my bosses more effective and to broaden my role as much as I could. In 2016 I achieved my Level 4 Certificate in Office and Administrative Management qualification, through Adam Fidler Academy; which came just at the right time, as I progressed to being a Business Support Team Lead in 2017.
In March 2020, I took the plunge and left my role after 7 years of service. I took some time out, and used this opportunity to focus on myself and to participate in online learning; attending classes delivered by Adam Fidler Academy. In September, I was successful in getting a new job as EA to the CEO of a Private Wealth Management Company. It was a bit of a whirlwind! I am now 4 months into my role and I find I am often pinching myself! I love my new job and cannot believe the journey I have been on to get here. The scope of my role is dramatically different to when I was operating more as a PA. I believe that the Level 4 qualification really helped me elevate my career and I am looking forward to enrolling onto the Level 5! I encourage all PAs and EAs to take the time to reflect, look after themselves and to take control of their careers in order to push their roles to the next level – I did it, and so can you!
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The Mauritius Commercial Bank Ltd
Qualified with the full Executive Assistant Diploma with Additional Units
I’ve been in a support role for many years, working for The Mauritius Commercial Bank Ltd. I decided to take a sabbatical to reflect on my future and how I can shape my role to be more meaningful. Within my year out, I’ve completed the EA Diploma with Adam Fidler Academy. The Level 3 element is about the practicalities of doing the job, which I was already pretty good at, but it’s given me the fine tuning to be an even sharper Administrator. The Level 4 element was very stretching and taught me about leadership, management and business strategy. I’m now ready to return to my role this autumn with a better understanding of the commercial world. My confidence has grown, and I’m clearer about my goals and aspirations. With a solid EA qualification under my belt, the world is my oyster!
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Nigeria Governors’ Forum
Completed ‘The Strategic EA’ programme with Additional Units
My boss asked me to find a programme that would push my PA role to the next level. I’m already a PA to a senior executive, but wanted to take the role into offering more business support, as a true Executive Assistant. I researched heavily and found only Adam Fidler Academy offering the advanced knowledge and perspective on what EAs can do in their roles. I undertook the Strategic EA course with some additional modules, and came to the UK all the way from Nigeria, where I’m based. My experience was brilliant; Adam and the other students made me so welcome. We even managed to go to the Manchester PA Network event one evening - that has now inspired me to create my own PA Network in Nigeria. I’m already applying the tools and strategies suggested… my boss loves them!
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Our graduates in action
Graduate and gain professional status as an Executive Assistant
Adam Fidler Academy Graduation - July 2022
Graduate EA Programme
Our new Graduate EA programme is designed as a 12 week intensive course. Ideal for recent graduates
who are looking to get a step up to becoming an executive assistant.
“Adam Fidler Academy has been a career coach for me for several years now and has taught me so much through their courses and 121 coaching about the significance of the EA role, and the part we play in the success of the business we work in. The Academy has really has helped me elevate my thinking and push myself on career-wise...”
“ I just wanted to say a big thank you to you and your course for giving me the confidence I needed in my EA role. Since taking part in your 2 day The Strategic EA Programme things have become so much better for me at work; I feel I have more of a voice. I am now a line manager to one person; this has allowed me to release some of the basics and focus on more value-adding work. I also organised a lot of our 60th Anniversary events this year and last week at our Group Conference was given an Outstanding Contribution Award for my work this year! I am over the moon! Thank you... ”
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on my Level 4 qualification. Adam has been an amazing tutor. I would like to say thank you so much for your support, patience and for always giving me constructive feedback this has been really helpful. I am elated that I have now qualified at Level 4! ”
“Thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable course. It has definitely ignited a spark in me again. It’s the first time I have felt motivated again for a while and I would honestly recommend your programmes to others. There is always room for more learning and development no matter how many years of experience and you gave so many invaluable tips and examples in-between all the learning content. I’m now looking forward to doing more of your courses.”
“This was a very thought provoking course and I will be giving serious thought to where I want to be in the next 3-5 years and making plans to help me get there. I have already had a meeting with my boss about how I can be more strategic! Thanks for enlightening me on how to approach my role differently.”
“I didn’t know what to expect. Over the years, I have attended other courses and at the end didn’t quite feel it was a good use of my time. This has exceeded my expectations”
“I cannot recommend this course and Adam Fidler Academy highly enough. I am absolutely thrilled to have passed with distinction at Level 4! It is a challenging course but that’s what I wanted - to grow, expand my knowledge, be challenged on every assignment - and it has paid off. I am more confident and creative in my work and my role as an EA; my professional qualification is being recognised as such within my organisation and the knowledge gained from the course content I could apply at work from day one.
There are other courses out there in the industry - I see them on LinkedIn all the time - but I know that this course is far superior for its academic approach, professionalism, course content and the breadth of experience and teaching style that Adam delivers with.”
“After receiving your course feedback, I had my year-end review with my executive 2 days later, so the timing worked out very well, indeed. He was pleased to see that the investment in the course was mutually beneficial and is a definite win-win for both of us. Now, I need to create my 2021 goals and will be implementing my learnings from the program as I move forward. Thank you! ”
“I can confirm that I had face to face in the office with my boss this afternoon. I am pleased to keep you informed that we were both in the same page as my learnings from Adam Fidler Academy.... and my boss said that she had never seen me as a ‘PA’ and have always been more than that to her anyway.
So all in all it was a nice easy and insightful conversation following all your help and guidance, which was also her line of thinking too.
A huge debt of gratitude to you for help, guidance, advice and support. I can’t thank you enough for also believing in me too. As I said, I really do respect your advice and objectiveness, professionalism and knowledge. “Thank you” so very much and if it’s OK with you I’ll keep you posted on progress. With much indebted gratitude to you and a million thank you’s! ”
“I just wanted to drop you a note to inform you that I have finally managed to secure a promotion to be an Executive Assistant! I am still a little in shock that this has happened but also delighted! I knew I wanted to be an Executive Assistant but didn’t have the knowledge of how to transition from being a PA to an EA. After I attended the Level 4 The Strategic Executive Assistant course, I met with my boss to go over what I had learned. I was surprised by his response to being unaware that I wanted to progress but he also agreed that he would help with this progression. Thank you for your help in me achieving this goal and providing me with the tools I needed. I have just completed a job description and sent to my Chief Executive to ensure it covers what he is expecting of me.”
“Since attending your course earlier this year, I have some positive updates regarding my own progression. I was successful in a pay increase and also agreed a progression path increasing my responsibilities. My management team said nobody else had ever presented to them in such a way and as well as I did using the models I learnt from the programme. Because of this they are reviewing the entire process moving forward. I am also working with our CEO to rewrite my job description, and I have been made responsible for several projects. So, once again, I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to you for giving me that confidence to stand up and reaffirm myself as a valuable member of the management team.”
“I would like to feedback the Get Ahead as an Executive PA programme has been one of the most informative and inspirational courses which I’ve attended. A bit of an epiphany for me, as it’s given a real insight to what the role should be and in the meantime, provided great tips to take back to the office. As a starter, I can see this unifying our team and us all working together more consistently.”
“I just wanted to drop you a quick email to let you know that not only was I successful in pushing through the change of job title, we have been able to get a banding alteration on my role too so a good result all round! I truly don’t think this would have been possible without the benefit of the additional knowledge and confidence I was armed with from attending the The Strategic Executive Assistant course last year, so thank you once again.”
“Thank you so much for your support, guidance and example throughout my Level 4 qualification. The course was a real pleasure and asset for me; I’ve just been offered a new role which is a definite step-up. I could not have succeeded in interview if I had not learned what I have on this course!”
“Since attending The Strategic EA course: my job title has now been officially changed to EA; I’ve a brand new job description which is a true reflection of what I do (not just the paltry PA job description I’d previously had!); I’ve had a salary increase of 4.4%! And, all as a result of attending The Strategic EA course! A very big thank you!”
“Your course has enabled me to make a clear definition between EA and PA, and regarding my role my boss wants to upgrade me to an even higher level and recruit a PA underneath me! Wow! The power of your EA model cannot be underestimated. Thank you!”
“My new title of Business Support Manager is as a result of the course I studied with you! ... The best EA course I ever attended! ”
“I have worked as a professional EA for 8 years, and have been in search of a development programme like Adam’s for years. This has been the best training I have been on since completing my degree. Adam delivers in a professional manner, and generates discussion which is thought-provoking. I left the course with a new motivation and aspiration; thank you Adam Fidler Academy for developing high-level training for EAs!”
“The professionalism and energy in delivery was very engaging and the quality was excellent. Your Academy is truly a delight to have within our industry and I am thankful that are sharing your experience and knowledge to guide current and future assistants.”
“Quite simply, the best EA trainer of the modern age!”
“You have no idea how inspiring your words are... this is a life change that I do not take lightly! I have followed your posts for a while and find them, well - brilliant! Thank you for being a major reason for my EA transition!”
“Adam proved himself a great course leader, and designer, combining experience, professionalism and personality in two worthwhile days. As a law graduate, I was already very methodical and a highly organised person, but the Get Ahead as an Executive PA course taught me so much about my role and how to develop in it effectively. Lots of the lessons I found easy to put into practice from day one back in the office. ”
“I came away from The Strategic Executive Assistant course both excited and enthused about my role. Using the tools and techniques covered, I was able to define a more strategic EA role going forward and wrote a paper to my Board setting out how I could support them more effectively. I have since been promoted and believe I would not have achieved this had I not attended the course. Adam’s delivery is engaging, clear and concise and draws on real life examples. Adam is an excellent trainer and I cannot recommend him highly enough. ”
“What an immense privilege it was to listen to Adam as a presenter. I have already started implementing tips that he gave us and I have been greatly enriched by his inputs, expertise and knowledge. This was the most useful and informative course I’ve ever done. Adam’s presentation was brilliant, well-researched and a real eye-opener. He is an outstanding speaker who understands his audience and I hope that we will cross paths soon with another course, covering new topics.”
“Adam delivered the Strategic EA Course in the supportive and engaging style he is well known for. He used real life examples which helped me to clearly plan how I would be able to put the techniques learned into practice within the workplace. I would highly recommend this course!”
“Following my attendance on The Strategic Assistant course, I returned to work and pitched some changes I wanted to make in my role, incorporating me taking a more strategic approach to my position which would support my bosses more effectively, as well as allowing me the development and growth in my role as their assistant. At year end, in my performance review, I was given the long awaited title of ‘Executive Assistant’ and an elevation in my salary to reflect such changes. Had I not attended this course, I would still have been in the same position, not learning about the changes that are happening in the assistant industry and not progressing myself as an EA. This course has benefitted me, my two executives and our company overall. It’s thank you to Adam and his course that all this has happened!”
“Your course is highly informative; the content comes from strong work history and is extremely useful for any EA working to progress into a more strategic/managerial role. I would highly recommend it!”
“A very big thank you for the two outstanding days of the course. Not only outstanding because of the title but also for the inspiration, learning new skills and tools in a forever changing business environment. Your knowledge from the perspective as a PA/EA and trainer is so valuable for the course and to see things from a different angle as well.”
“Adam was exceptional! He delivered such a mind blowing, jaw dropping, empowering course. I would definitely recommend him to everyone I know.”