Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership

What Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership does

Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership (IECL) is a Sydney-headquartered, privately held provider of ICF-accredited executive coaching education and organisational coaching services, founded in 1999 and operating globally. Its core products are structured around ICF Level 1 (ACC) and Level 2 (PCC) accreditation pathways, with curriculum built on adult learning principles, strength-based coaching, and narrative approaches, delivered through a hybrid model of synchronous workshops (in-person in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Singapore, Hong Kong and virtual via Zoom across global time zones), asynchronous online learning, and the IECL Academy platform. The company has certified over 10,000 organisational coaches and trained 50,000+ leaders since inception, supported by a network of 100+ experienced coaches and facilitators with 100,000+ hours of combined coaching experience, and a digital credentialing system including digital badges.

IECL monetises through four primary streams: ICF-accredited coach education programs (Level 1 and Level 2 certification and accreditation pathways plus specialty modules such as narrative and team coaching, sold as one-time programs), individual and team coaching services delivered to enterprise clients (executive coaching, C-Suite coaching, team coaching, group coaching, cohort programs), bespoke organisational coaching and leadership development programs for enterprises and government, and a recurring annual membership (AU$365 + GST) providing community access, peer coaching, business development workshops, and preferential program rates. The technology stack combines the IECL Academy learning portal, AI-supported behaviour change tooling via partner qChange, and digital credential management. Distribution is hybrid with regional offices in Sydney, Singapore, and Hong Kong, supported by Relationship Partners covering ANZ/USA, Asia, EMEA, and Greater China.

In April 2025 IECL merged with Scentia Group, the parent of the Australian Institute of Management, becoming Scentia's coaching arm; in August 2025 Scentia acquired Open Door Coaching for progressive integration into IECL. The company maintains a strategic academic partnership with Charles Sturt University for postgraduate study pathways and hosts an annual Future of Leadership Summit for CEOs, CPOs, and senior leaders. Named enterprise customers include EY, Qantas, Adobe, BHP, Lidl, KPMG, financial institutions, government departments, and a global engineering firm, indicating broad enterprise penetration across professional services, aviation, technology, mining, retail, and engineering verticals.

Name

Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership

Legal name

Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership Pty Ltd

Website

https://iecl.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

IECL is a Sydney-headquartered provider of ICF-accredited executive coaching education and organisational coaching services, founded in 1999. It certifies coaches through Level 1/ACC and Level 2/PCC pathways, delivers coaching to enterprise clients and governments globally, and operates a 10,000+ alumni network across ANZ, Asia, and international markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Coaching and Leadership Development

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Training Delivery Services (Onsite/Virtual Instruction, Workshops, Coaching) (BPAEANAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Train-the-Trainer & Instructor Enablement Services (BPAEANAL), Vendor/Authorized Certification Training (Microsoft/AWS/Cisco, etc.) (BPAEANAA)

Keywords

• Executive coaching services
• Leadership development programs
• ICF accredited coach training
• Organisational coaching education
• Team and group coaching

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Coach Education Programs: ICF-accredited certification and accreditation courses for organisational coaches including Level 1, Level 2, and specialty programs. Programs include intensive workshops, online learning, practice groups, and mentoring.
2. Individual and Team Coaching Services: Executive coaching, C-Suite coaching, team coaching, group coaching, and coaching programs for cohorts delivered by a network of 100+ highly experienced coaches
3. IECL Membership: Annual membership program providing preferential rates on programs, post nominals, peer coaching, business development workshops, live coaching demonstrations, and access to subject matter experts. AU$365 + GST per year
4. Organisational Coaching and Leadership Development: Bespoke coaching programs for organisations building leadership capability, including coaching skills modules, AI-supported behaviour change, and integrated embedding solutions

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

IECL delivers ICF-accredited organisational coach training (Level 1/ACC and Level 2/PCC pathways) and executive, team and group coaching services to individuals and enterprises globally. It supplements this core offering with bespoke leadership and coaching-capability development programs for organisations, an annual membership community, and AI-supported behaviour-change tooling via qChange.

Product overview

IECL offers a comprehensive organisational coaching education and services ecosystem. The core portfolio consists of ICF-accredited coach training programs at two levels: Level 1 Certification and Accreditation (ACC Pathway) and Level 2 Certification and Accreditation (PCC Pathway), which together form the complete ICF credentialing pathway. Supporting these are specialised offerings including Team Coaching, Narrative Coaching, and Individual/Group/Executive Coaching services. The PIECL credential represents IECL's professional standard for organisational coaching. The IECL Academy platform provides digital access to courses and credentials, while IECL Membership offers ongoing community, events, and professional development. A Charles Sturt University partnership enables postgraduate academic pathways. The company also provides AI-supported behaviour change tools via qChange technology for embedding coaching outcomes. Recent expansion includes integration of Open Door Coaching following acquisition by parent company Scentia Group.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Organisational Coaching Level 1 Certification

Quantifiable outcome

• 92% of leaders coached by IECL are satisfied with their coaching accreditation experience, with 82% very satisfied
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Open Door CoachingminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 August 2025Acquired by Scentia Group and progressively integrated into IECL. Founder Natalie Ashdown takes role as Head of Enterprise Solutions and Market Growth at IECL. Acquisition expected to be completed by August 20, 2025. Strengthens IECL's corporate product development and client engagement capabilities.
• Scentia GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2025IECL merged with Scentia Group, a prominent education and training organisation, marking a significant step forward for IECL. The merger enables expansion of industry-leading programs and services to a broader client base globally. Scentia's extensive educational infrastructure provides opportunities for increased innovation, digital transformation, and enhanced member experience. IECL becomes Scentia's coaching arm.
• Charles Sturt UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial partnership with Charles Sturt University for postgraduate study. IECL certifications (Level 1 and 2) plus additional assessments can count toward CSU Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma in Organisational Coaching and Leadership. Provides academic pathway for IECL graduates.
• qChangecoreTechnology or IntegrationAI-powered technology partner for behaviour change support. IECL powered by qChange ensures learning experience translates to behaviour change and performance uplifts. Provides 'coach on shoulder' reminder technology for commitment tracking and embedding learning.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• BetterUp: Global executive and leadership coaching platform combining 1:1 coaching with AI-driven behavioural insights and measurement. Direct competitor in the enterprise coaching market IECL serves, with comparable target buyers (CHRO/L&D at large corporates) and overlapping product positioning.
• iPEC Coaching: ICF-accredited coach training provider offering Level 1/2 certification pathways with similar curriculum structure. Directly comparable to IECL in coach education product, target student (aspiring professional coaches), and credentialing pathway model.
• Coach U (School of Coach Training): Long-standing ICF-accredited coach training school (founded 1992) offering comprehensive coach certification programs. Direct competitor to IECL's Level 1/2 pathways with comparable student persona and ICF credential focus.
• New Ventures West: ICF-accredited coach training program with integrated leadership development focus. Directly comparable to IECL in coach certification offerings, integrative coaching methodology, and organisational coaching positioning.
• Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching: Premium executive coaching franchise and certification model founded by Marshall Goldsmith, focused on leadership coaching at the C-suite and senior executive level. Directly comparable to IECL's executive coaching segment with overlapping target buyer profile (senior enterprise leaders).

Broad incumbents

• Center for Creative Leadership (CCL): Established global provider of leadership development programs, executive education, and coaching serving Fortune 500 clients. Comparable in leadership development offerings and enterprise customer base, though broader and more research-driven than IECL's coach-training specialism.
• Korn Ferry: Global organisational consulting firm with a substantial leadership development and executive coaching practice. Overlaps with IECL in C-suite coaching, leadership development, and enterprise buyer relationships, though much broader in talent and consulting services.
• DDI (Development Dimensions International): Global leadership development firm providing executive coaching, leadership training, and talent solutions to large enterprises. Comparable in enterprise L&D buyer relationships and leadership development offerings, though broader than IECL's coach-training specialism.
• FranklinCovey: Global leadership and performance consulting firm offering training, coaching, and content (e.g., 7 Habits). Comparable in enterprise L&D buyer relationships and leadership development offerings, with overlapping enterprise training and coaching services.

Others

• Australian Institute of Management (AIM): Sister entity within Scentia Group and leading Australian leadership/management training provider. Comparable in enterprise L&D offerings and Australian market positioning; relevant as an internal group peer following the April 2025 merger that made AIM and IECL sister companies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-of-executive-coaching-and-leadership
• Xx.com/TheIECL
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheIECL

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

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