Future Leaders Academy
Future Leaders Academy is a New Zealand-based private education provider that delivers 7-day experiential leadership programs to secondary school students aged 16-18 across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, using a proprietary Capability Framework and Task Achievement Process (TAP).
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersHataitai, Wellington, New Zealand
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Future Leaders Academy does
Future Leaders Academy (FLA) is a New Zealand-based private youth leadership development organization that delivers experiential, cohort-based programs to secondary school students aged 16-18 across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. Founded in 2013 and operating from Hataitai, Wellington with a secondary presence on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, FLA's flagship offering is the Pacific Student Leaders Program (PSLP) — a 7-day residential course held in locations including Fiji, Samoa, the Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga, and Norfolk Island. The curriculum is structured around a proprietary Capability Framework (Ownership, Decision-making, Communication, Initiative, Adaptability, Integrity) and the Task Achievement Process (TAP), delivered through cohort-based learning, mentoring, applied leadership challenges, structured reflection, and progressive responsibility.
FLA's product portfolio includes the Foundation Leadership Course (entry-level), Pacific Student Leaders Program (flagship 7-day experiential course), Advanced Leaders Course (intensive overseas programming), LSV Graduate Program (post-course support), and a structured Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential Project pathway delivered under FLA's February 2025 Employer Partnership with Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Australia.
The company makes money primarily through one-time course fees paid by individual families (with optional installment payment plans), supplemented by custom corporate and government leadership-training workshops. Distribution runs through a hybrid model: direct-to-consumer applications via the website combined with virtual info sessions, alongside institutional channels including school career-advisor networks via memberships in CATE NZ, CAA NSW & ACT, and CareerWise. Operational history shows roughly 15+ international courses delivered to date, course sizes of 12-60 students, and a stated 2023 target of nearly 360 students annually across expanded Pacific geographies. The company is founder-led by Director Jethro Gilbert and Co-founder/CFO Davina Gilbert, with no disclosed external investment.
Future Leaders Academy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Future Leaders Academy
- Legal name
- Future Leaders Academy
- Website
- https://flacademy.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Future Leaders Academy is a New Zealand-based private education provider that delivers 7-day experiential leadership programs to secondary school students aged 16-18 across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, using a proprietary Capability Framework and Task Achievement Process (TAP).
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Future Leaders Academy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Leadership Development Training
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Leadership, Character Education & Values Development (EDAMAIAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Executive Leadership & C-Suite Development (EDABAAAA), Talent Management & Leadership Advisory (Succession, Performance, Culture) (BPACAJAH)
Keywords
Where Future Leaders Academy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hataitai, Wellington
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices2 records
Markets served
Future Leaders Academy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Pacific Student Leaders Program Fees: Course fees for the 7-day experiential leadership program held in Pacific Island locations. Fees in NZ dollars or Australian dollars, GST exempt. Payment plans available with monthly installments. Full payment required 8 weeks prior to departure.
- Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential Project: Students attending leadership programs can complete their Gold Level Residential Project requirement through FLA, generating additional revenue stream from Duke of Ed participants.
- Custom Corporate and Government Training: Delivery of leadership development workshops to team leaders and senior leadership teams for corporate and government clients.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Pacific Student Leaders Program - Standard Course |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Future Leaders Academy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Future Leaders Academy delivers 7-day experiential residential leadership programs for secondary school students aged 16-18 (Year 12-13 in NZ, Years 11-12 in Australia) held in Pacific Island locations including Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga, and Norfolk Island. Programs combine cohort-based learning, mentoring, applied leadership challenges, and cultural immersion to develop observable leadership capability across Ownership, Decision-making, Communication, Initiative, Adaptability, and Integrity. Participants can also earn Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential Project recognition.
Product overview
Future Leaders Academy operates as a single unified offering focused on youth leadership development, centered around the Pacific Student Leaders Program. The core portfolio includes the Foundation Leadership Course (entry-level), Pacific Student Leaders Program (main flagship 7-day experiential program with Pacific Island locations), Advanced Leaders Course (overseas intensive), and LSV Graduate Program (post-course support). The Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential Project integration allows students to earn Duke of Ed recognition alongside their leadership training. The company is expanding geographically with the Norfolk Island Leadership Program for Australian students. All programs follow a capability framework emphasizing Ownership, Decision-making, Communication, Initiative, Adaptability, and Integrity, delivered through cohort-based learning, mentoring, applied leadership challenges, structured reflection, and progressive responsibility.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Pacific Student Leaders Program (PSLP) A 7-day experiential leadership program for students aged 16-18 held across Pacific Island locations including Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands, and Vanuatu. Participants develop practical leadership skills through cultural immersion, community engagement, applied challenges, and structured reflection, and may earn Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential Project recognition.
- Foundation Leadership Course Entry-level two-day leadership development course designed for students, including Young Enterprise Scheme CEOs, providing foundational leadership skills training.
- Advanced Leaders Course Intensive overseas leadership program taking students to Pacific Island nations for advanced leadership training, cultural immersion, and community service projects.
- LSV Graduate Program Post-program support and development for graduates of the Limited-Service Volunteer (LSV) course, providing pathway planning, employment support, and continued leadership development.
- Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential Project Students attending the Pacific Student Leaders Program can complete their Gold Level Duke of Edinburgh International Award residential requirement through FLA's leadership programs.
- Norfolk Island Leadership Program Advanced leadership course expansion to Norfolk Island for Australian Year 11-12 students, offering immersive Pasifika culture experience and military-inspired leadership training during school holiday intensive one-week courses.
- Custom Corporate and Government Training Custom leadership development workshops delivered to team leaders and senior leadership teams for corporate and government clients.
Quantifiable outcome
- Average improvement from 4 to 7 in 'Understand the role of a leader and the skills required' (self-evaluated, 0-8 scale)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Future Leaders Academy
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Future Leaders Academy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Future Leaders Academy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Autism Cook IslandsminorCollaboration providing FLA students unique opportunity to develop leadership skills while contributing to local community. FLA students engage in educational and recreational activities with autistic children during April leadership course in Rarotonga. Supports Autism Awareness month.
- Duke of Edinburgh's International Award AustraliacoreOfficial Duke of Ed Employer partner. FLA is recognized as an organization that develops valuable competencies in communication, teamwork, responsibility, community-mindedness, resilience, and leadership. FLA offers Duke of Ed Gold Level Residential Project qualification for students completing their leadership program. FLA promotes the Duke of Ed initiative to business networks and industry partners.
- Career and Transition Education Association of New Zealand (CATE NZ)coreFLA is a recognized member enabling direct engagement with the career advisor community across New Zealand schools. Supports student access to leadership programs.
- Careers Advisers Association of New South Wales and ACT (CAA NSW & ACT)coreFLA is a recognized member enabling direct engagement with career advisors across NSW and ACT schools in Australia.
- CareerWise Platform (New Zealand)coreFLA is a recognized member providing digital reach to connect with career advisors and students across New Zealand.
- Young Enterprise Scheme (YES)minorCollaboration with Young Enterprise Scheme providing leadership training to student CEOs participating in the business program. 11 students from Year 12 & 13 attended Foundation Leadership Course - BRONZE. FLA aims to enhance functional leadership abilities of YES CEOs.
- Marrzipan DramaminorDrama and confidence-building workshop provider. Tennille from Marrzipan has worked with FLA courses to develop student confidence and communication skills, including workshops for local primary school students during Fiji and Cook Islands programs.
- Cook Islands Voyaging SocietyminorCultural partner for Cook Islands programs. Students learn traditional culture including making rope from coconut husks and preparing vaka hulls for voyaging traditions.
- National Environment Service (Cook Islands)minorGovernment environmental organization working with FLA on Ridge to Reef initiative. Students participate in environmental workshops and problem-solving activities.
- Tappoo (Fiji)minorFamily-run retail/gift business in Fiji providing business visit insights and presenting real challenges for student problem-solving.
- Fiji Surf CominorCoral restoration organization and surfing tour operator. Provides environmental insight into Fiji's coral reefs, showing innovative restoration methods and offering snorkeling opportunities.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Future Leaders Academy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): US-based global experiential leadership school running multi-day wilderness courses for adolescents and young adults. Comparable to FLA in experiential leadership development methodology and cohort-based structure, but serves primarily US/European markets.
- Leadership New Zealand: NZ-based provider of leadership development programs for emerging leaders across sectors. Comparable to FLA in capability-framework-based methodology and adult professional audience, and represents a potential corporate-training adjacency for FLA's B2B arm.
Direct peers
- The Sir Peter Blake Trust: NZ organization delivering youth leadership and environmental programs including Young Blake Expeditions. Closely comparable to FLA's mission of developing young NZ/Pacific leaders through experiential challenges, and shares the secondary-school student leadership segment.
- Outward Bound New Zealand: Antrim-based outdoor experiential education provider running multi-day residential courses for NZ secondary students. Directly comparable to FLA in methodology (experiential, cohort-based, leadership-focused) and target audience (16-18 year olds) and is explicitly listed alongside FLA in NZ leadership program guides.
- Spirit of Adventure Trust: NZ charity operating a tall-ship sailing-based youth development program for 16-18 year olds. Comparable to FLA in target demographic, residential experiential format, and life-transition mission, and competes for the same school career advisor and parent audience.
Others
- AIESEC: Global youth leadership organization offering cross-cultural experiences and leadership opportunities for students and recent graduates. Comparable to FLA in cross-cultural leadership development, but operates through university chapters rather than secondary-school cohorts.
- Stellar Leadership: Pacific-focused youth leadership and mentoring organization. Comparable to FLA in Pacific geography and youth leadership mission, providing a regional peer in adjacent Pacific Island markets.
Regional players
- Inspiring Stories: NZ charity supporting young leaders through programs and storytelling initiatives. Comparable to FLA in mission (youth leadership development in NZ) and Pacific-oriented values, though operates more as an umbrella/enabler than a residential course provider.
Broad incumbents
- The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award: International youth award framework whose Gold Residential Project requirement FLA fulfills. Comparable in audience (16-18 year olds), institutional school distribution, and credential-driven value proposition, and is also a FLA partner.
- Young Enterprise Scheme (YES): NZ-wide curriculum-embedded student business program that FLA actively partners with (sending YES CEOs to FLA courses). Comparable in target audience and educator network, but broader in scope (business creation rather than pure leadership development).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Future Leaders Academy social profiles
Digital presenceFuture Leaders Academy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Future Leaders Academy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Future Leaders Academy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Future Leaders Academy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Future Leaders Academy
What does Future Leaders Academy do?
Future Leaders Academy delivers 7-day experiential residential leadership programs for secondary school students aged 16-18 (Year 12-13 in NZ, Years 11-12 in Australia) held in Pacific Island locations including Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga, and Norfolk Island. Programs combine cohort-based learning, mentoring, applied leadership challenges, and cultural immersion to develop observable leadership capability across Ownership, Decision-making, Communication, Initiative, Adaptability, and Integrity. Participants can also earn Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential Project recognition.
Is Future Leaders Academy a public or private company?
Future Leaders Academy is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Future Leaders Academy founded?
Future Leaders Academy was founded in 2013. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Future Leaders Academy based?
Future Leaders Academy is headquartered in Hataitai, Wellington, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Future Leaders Academy make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Pacific Student Leaders Program Fees are the primary driver. The others are duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential Project and custom Corporate and Government Training.
Who are Future Leaders Academy's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and Leadership New Zealand. Direct peers are The Sir Peter Blake Trust, Outward Bound New Zealand and Spirit of Adventure Trust. Others are AIESEC and Stellar Leadership. Inspiring Stories is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award and Young Enterprise Scheme (YES).
Does Future Leaders Academy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Future Leaders Academy.
What industry is Future Leaders Academy in?
Future Leaders Academy's product category is Youth Leadership Development Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAIAG, Leadership, Character Education & Values Development, with a secondary code of EDABAAAA, Executive Leadership & C-Suite Development. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8742.