About Us
WE HAVE A PASSION FOR ETHICAL AND SUSTAINABLE CHANGE.
AND FOR US, IT ALL STARTS WITH EDUCATION…
With over 40 years of experience in systems development, computer auditing, governance, and education, Executive Education Online’s CEO, Gary Hardy, admits his fascination with computers started during his school days, but he had no idea it would lead to his current focus on transforming education.
Despite studying Computer Science at a time when it was scarcely offered, Gary found his passion lay more in leveraging technology’s potential rather than its technical intricacies. His career began with developing systems and then development standards, which propelled him into the world of audit and governance.
Through various roles in major corporations like British Aerospace, Gulf Oil, Arthur Andersen, and Deloitte, Gary delved into the business side of IT, then governance and best practices. He was one of the three who initiated the creation of ISACA’s COBIT framework and then led the subsequent development of ISACA’s first online COBIT training class. Having delivered physical COBIT training to hundreds of clients, Gary became conscious that certified training was less effective than expected, and he became disillusioned with the growing tick-box approach to governance. More generally, he realised that projects and programmes were not failing to realise value because of a lack of process or good practice, but because the organisational culture was not conducive, and the interpersonal / interdepartmental relationships were fractured. For organsations to achieve success, these (then) little-known, but critical capabilities needed to be fixed – a realisation further solidified following his introduction to People Productive, and BRM Institute, whose courses we still offer.
The turning point came with the onset of COVID-19, prompting Gary and his team to reassess their approach to education. Drawing inspiration from Gary’s peers and personal experiences, they pioneered a new approach to learning that emphasised interactive guidance and self-driven exploration. This innovative approach, which blends technology with traditional facilitation, aims to foster genuine engagement and ownership among those who can really make a difference.
Gary’s journey culminated in the adoption of a Digital Publishing platform, rooted in his belief that education should be stimulating, self-directed and outcomes orientated. This platform represents a paradigm shift in traditional training methods, aligning with Gary’s vision of empowering business leaders to drive their own success. As the team continue to champion this new approach, they look forward to not only transforming the landscape of executive education, but also board level ownership of impactful, ethical and sustainable change.
Testimonials
The course is a high-quality piece of work, flows well and is enjoyable. Kudos to you for taking such a complex topic and boiling it down so it is approachable and digestible.
– Frank Wander, CEO, PeopleProductive
It was a great pleasure to get the BRMP. All of the team is support full an are always ready to any need you have. The material goes right at the point you need in order to achieve the objectives. Thanks Marc and Gary for your support and lets transform the world together
– Goncalo Guilherme Pinto Junior, IT Business Partner, Nestlé
The course material was extremely informative, well planned and easy to follow. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to pace myself with the support of the team! Apart from working with a great LMS solution, the team, Marc in particular assisted me with all questions and made every effort to engage with the Institute when required. Thank you for a great course and your awesome support!
– Dilchad Dharsey, IT Director, Xylem
Great material. Provides a great overview and emphasizes key topics throughout the document. Language is simple/easy to understand and overall experience was great. Definitely recommend it!
– Bruna R Rossin Collado, Cloud Business Relationship Manager, Unilever
Thank you so much for the BRM Fundamentals and Grab@pizza sessions you organised for us, it was a real eye-opener. You brought us world class facilitators with excellent skills not only in BRM and IT but in business.
– Themba Notununu – Business Relationship Manager, Eskom
If you are looking for a place to do take this training and certification, I truly mean it when I say look no further. You have definitely come to the right place. You has the knowledge and expertise to guide you through your entire learning journey. Their support through out your entire process is unmatched. My personal experience was super awesome. Let me just stop here to say thank you to Marc for being super helpful and gracious in accommodating all my last minute requests. Keep up the amazing job!
– Kenechukwu Olatunji, Senior Business Analyst, The North West Company
