Question 1

What is the AoEC Practitioner Diploma, and what credential does it lead to?

Accepted Answer

The Practitioner Diploma in Executive Coaching is AoEC's flagship qualification. It is accredited by the ICF as a Level 1 programme for 64 coach-specific education hours — satisfying the training requirements for the ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential. It also holds EMCC Global Quality Award (EQA) at Practitioner level and AC Accredited Award in Coach Training status, so graduates can pursue individual accreditation with any of the three major bodies.

Question 2

Is the AoEC triple accreditation from ICF, EMCC, and AC applied to all its programmes?

Accepted Answer

The triple accreditation applies specifically to the Practitioner Diploma. The Professional Practitioner Diploma carries ICF Level 2 accreditation (135 hours, PCC pathway) and meets EMCC EQA standards. The Systemic Team Coaching Certificate holds ICF CCE accreditation for 19 CCEUs. Programmes vary — check the specific programme page for its accreditation status.

Question 3

What is Systemic Team Coaching, and how does AoEC relate to it?

Accepted Answer

Systemic Team Coaching® is a methodology developed in 2010 by AoEC's founder John Leary-Joyce in partnership with Professor Peter Hawkins of Renewal Associates. It applies a systemic lens to coaching teams rather than individuals. AoEC offers Certificate Practitioner and Diploma (Senior Practitioner) pathways, delivered through five global hubs. The Certificate is ICF-accredited for 19 CCEUs.

Question 4

Where is AoEC based, and where does it deliver programmes?

Accepted Answer

AoEC is headquartered in London (Great Portland Street, W1W). Programmes run in-person in the UK and virtually, and through 16 licensed global delivery partners spanning Europe, Asia, the Americas, and beyond. The Systemic Team Coaching programmes operate through dedicated hubs in the UK, North America, Southern Africa, China, and Singapore.

Question 5

Who founded the AoEC, and what is their background?

Accepted Answer

John Leary-Joyce founded AoEC in 1999. He trained as a gestalt psychotherapist and was previously managing director of Gestalt Centre London. He holds an MA in Executive Coaching, is a PCC with the ICF, and served as Past President of EMCC UK. He is co-author of the Systemic Team Coaching model alongside Peter Hawkins.

Question 6

How does AoEC compare to other coach training providers?

Accepted Answer

AoEC sits in the organisational and executive coaching segment — it targets professionals, leaders, and HR practitioners rather than the general consumer market. Its gestalt-informed, experiential pedagogy distinguishes it from more technique-centred providers. The simultaneous ICF, EMCC, and AC triple accreditation on its flagship diploma is relatively rare. Providers like Newfield, CTI, and iPEC serve overlapping markets with different methodological emphases.

Question 7

What is the AoEC's connection to gestalt psychology?

Accepted Answer

Gestalt principles are foundational to AoEC's pedagogical approach. John Leary-Joyce spent his career before AoEC as a gestalt psychotherapist and growing Gestalt Centre London. AoEC programmes emphasise 'self as instrument' — the coach's presence, body awareness, and relational sensitivity — as the primary medium of change. The Advanced Coaching Skills: Gestalt Embodiment Foundation Programme offers dedicated study in this approach.

Question 8

What is a B Corporation, and why does it matter for AoEC?

Accepted Answer

B Corp certification is awarded by B Lab and requires companies to meet independently verified standards for social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. AoEC was certified as a B Corp in 2023. For prospective students, it signals that the organisation applies the same values-driven lens to its own operations that it teaches coaches to bring to their work.

Question 9

What programmes does AoEC offer for existing coaches looking to deepen their practice?

Accepted Answer

The Professional Practitioner Diploma (ICF Level 2, 135 hours) is designed for coaches who already hold a Level 1 qualification or ACC credential and want to develop toward PCC. The Systemic Team Coaching Diploma (Senior Practitioner) and the Gestalt Embodiment programme serve experienced coaches seeking specialisation. AoEC also offers CPD workshops and supervision.

Question 10

How long does the Practitioner Diploma take to complete?

Accepted Answer

AoEC does not publish a fixed calendar duration on its programme pages, as delivery formats vary (virtual, in-person, weekend, in-house). The programme requires a minimum of 10 hours of coaching practice with at least two clients, three group and three one-to-one mentor coaching sessions, small-group discussions after each module, and an Assessment Day. Prospective students should contact AoEC or their local AoEC partner for current schedule options.

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