Leadership is a choice, not a title
Most companies invest millions developing their top 50. But what about the leaders who will actually run your business tomorrow? They're largely on their own.
The gap nobody wants to talk about.
82% of managers are chosen for the wrong reasons — promoted for technical skill, not leadership ability.
70% of the variance in team engagement comes down to one thing: the manager.
The standard responses do not work. A single-day workshop. An online diploma. A company away-day that feels meaningful in the moment and is forgotten by Monday morning.
8.8 trillion dollars is lost globally every year to poor management.
Your managers are the single biggest lever in your business. They shape culture, drive output, retain talent, and build the leaders of tomorrow. And most of them have never been taught how to lead.
The problem is not your people. It is that they have never been given the tools, the space, or the community to grow as leaders — together.
Building tomorrow's executive team — starting today
Formation Academy is not a training course. It is an ongoing development program that turns your rising managers into a high-performing leadership team — before they reach the top.
We work with your people the way elite teams develop their best performers to work as a team: with ongoing coaching, real challenges, peer accountability, and a culture of continuous growth.
Every session is built around real problems your team is facing right now — not case studies, not hypotheticals. Your people learn together, challenge each other, and develop the trust and vulnerability that defines truly great leadership teams.
By the time they reach Vice President and above, they will not just be capable leaders. They will already be a team.
Three pillars. One program. A leadership team built to last.
01 Peer Collaboration
Your managers learn alongside each other — solving real problems, holding each other accountable, and building the trust that defines exceptional teams.
02 Live Problem Solving
No theoretical frameworks. Every session is anchored in what is actually happening in your business right now. Your team learns by doing.
03 Culture Alignment
Every program is tailored to your company — your values, your stage, your challenges. Not a generic curriculum. Leadership development that actually fits.
By the time they reach the top, they will not just be capable leaders. They will already be a team.
The results speak.
What people say
"His unique style, vast repertoire of business acumen, and genuine care for individuals makes him an excellent mentor, coach and committed listener."
Rajiv Pimplaskar
President & CEO, Dispersive
"Working with Joe as a mentor has been nothing short of game changing. He is the most down to earth senior executive I have ever met — a sea of calm with vast experience."
Tee Banwait
Product & Growth Leader
"His enthusiasm, positivity and energy is contagious. It brings out the best in people who have worked with him."
Yasir Mirza
Regional COO Markets Treasury Americas, HSBC
"He constructively challenges the thinking of his team, driving them to continually aim to do better — yet he is also very open to being challenged himself, actively seeking feedback to further develop."
Graeme Thomson
Product Leader, Ikigai Digital
"He is the best manager I have ever worked for. I consider any time spent under his stewardship a great benefit to my professional and personal life."
Ben Read
Managing Director, Aganor
"Having worked for 15 years in banking, working for Joe was nothing short of inspirational. He was always challenging us to think differently and grow — both professionally and personally."
Richard Smith
Product Lead, NatWest
"Joe builds up people with trust and respect. He understands that execution is just as important as the idea itself."
Jacqueline Liau
Managing Director, Markets & Securities Services
"Without any doubt, Joe is very probably the most hard-working, loyal, dedicated, inspirational, and downright pleasant team member with whom I have had the pleasure of working."
Nick Beecroft
Experienced Non-executive Director
"Joe consistently demonstrated professionalism and compassion at all levels of the organisation, and this directly engaged people to perform to high standards alongside him."
Adam Dowsett
Chief Commercial Officer, Cymonz
"Joe is the most inspired leader I've ever worked with. He has great vision, and is always able to set a clear strategy for execution."
Tony Lei
Software Engineer, HSBC
"Working with Joe, I have learned how to be a strong leader, a smart follower, and a curious challenger. In 10+ years I have yet to come across someone with such impregnable core values."
Joe Abinanti
Executive Director, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
"Three words sum up Joe: learning, tenacity, and growth."
Omar R.
Product, JPMorgan Chase
"He helped me drive change and create a working environment in which colleagues felt empowered to contribute with ideas and encouraged to speak up."
Martin Perez Ibanez, CFA, FRM
Head of GFX, EM Rates and Commodities, Americas — HSBC
"Joe has a rare ability to combine deep operational expertise with genuine empathy and care for the people around him. Any leader would be fortunate to learn from Joe."
Adi Ester Vinyarsh
Former General Counsel, Builder.ai
"He has a way of making people feel heard and supported — which is rarer than it sounds in a fast-moving company. He made everyone around him better."
Evan Srivastava
Senior Manager, Builder.ai
"Joe is one of those rare people who makes you think differently just by being around him. He's the kindest and wisest person I know."
Kain Yazdi
Chief of Staff, Builder.ai
"Joe is one of the most supportive leaders I've had the privilege of working with. I have no doubt Formation Academy will have a lasting impact on everyone Joe works with."
Ian Mousley
Associate Director of Sales Development, Builder.ai
"His influence extended well beyond the work we did together — it changed how I think about leadership and the kind of environment I strive to create for others."
Jesse Drennan
Managing Director, HSBC
"Joe is the type of leader who not only delivers results but also elevates the people around him."
Fernando Pereira
Head of Global Markets Control Office, Americas — HSBC
"His calm demeanour and ability to make colleagues feel comfortable and get the best out of them is truly remarkable. A thorough gentleman, a statesman and an accomplished business leader."
Gunjan Bhartia
Global Head of Finance, Builder.ai
"What Joe IS an expert in is listening, asking the right questions, and drawing the right conclusions from them. This curiosity enables him to become the expert."
Chris Harrison
Head of Solution Architects, Builder.ai
"He never compromises on his values and has a real talent for bringing out the best in people, ultimately setting them up for success."
Lucia Bennett
Head of Talent Acquisition, EMEA — Builder.ai
"'You will fail sometimes — but if you don't, you will lose the opportunity to grow.' Joe has taught me to live by my principles, to be humble, and to stay focused."
Lasma Alberte
Director of Data and AI, Kyndryl
"I was impressed many times by Joe's ability to look at a situation through many different lenses. I learned the importance of culture and its impact on organisational performance."
Paul Heathcote
VP of Delivery and Customer Success, Builder
"A rare leader who genuinely cares about developing his people just as much as he cares about business execution."
Navjot Randhawa
Operations, Builder.ai
"His mentorship and leadership have had a lasting impact on my confidence, decision-making, and career development."
Lauryn Harwood
Office Manager, Builder.ai
"He leads with integrity, holds a high bar for execution, and creates an environment where teams are empowered to do their best work."
Pratik Goyal
VP of Strategic Finance, Builder.ai
"Joe combines real experience with empathy, humour, and straight talking. I have no doubt anyone working with him through Formation Academy will benefit hugely."
James Kelly
Global Head of IT, Builder.ai
"His unique style, vast repertoire of business acumen, and genuine care for individuals makes him an excellent mentor, coach and committed listener."
Rajiv Pimplaskar
President & CEO, Dispersive
"Working with Joe as a mentor has been nothing short of game changing. He is the most down to earth senior executive I have ever met — a sea of calm with vast experience."
Tee Banwait
Product & Growth Leader
"His enthusiasm, positivity and energy is contagious. It brings out the best in people who have worked with him."
Yasir Mirza
Regional COO Markets Treasury Americas, HSBC
"He constructively challenges the thinking of his team, driving them to continually aim to do better — yet he is also very open to being challenged himself."
Graeme Thomson
Product Leader, Ikigai Digital
"He is the best manager I have ever worked for. I consider any time spent under his stewardship a great benefit to my professional and personal life."
Ben Read
Managing Director, Aganor
"Having worked for 15 years in banking, working for Joe was nothing short of inspirational. He was always challenging us to think differently and grow."
Richard Smith
Product Lead, NatWest
"Joe builds up people with trust and respect. He understands that execution is just as important as the idea itself."
Jacqueline Liau
Managing Director, Markets & Securities Services
"Without any doubt, Joe is very probably the most hard-working, loyal, dedicated, inspirational, and downright pleasant team member with whom I have had the pleasure of working."
Nick Beecroft
Experienced Non-executive Director
"Joe consistently demonstrated professionalism and compassion at all levels of the organisation, and this directly engaged people to perform to high standards alongside him."
Adam Dowsett
Chief Commercial Officer, Cymonz
"Joe is the most inspired leader I've ever worked with. He has great vision, and is always able to set a clear strategy for execution."
Tony Lei
Software Engineer, HSBC
"Working with Joe, I have learned how to be a strong leader, a smart follower, and a curious challenger."
Joe Abinanti
Executive Director, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
"Three words sum up Joe: learning, tenacity, and growth."
Omar R.
Product, JPMorgan Chase
"He helped me drive change and create a working environment in which colleagues felt empowered to contribute with ideas and encouraged to speak up."
Martin Perez Ibanez, CFA, FRM
Head of GFX, EM Rates and Commodities, Americas — HSBC
"Joe has a rare ability to combine deep operational expertise with genuine empathy and care for the people around him. Any leader would be fortunate to learn from Joe."
Adi Ester Vinyarsh
Former General Counsel, Builder.ai
"He has a way of making people feel heard and supported — which is rarer than it sounds in a fast-moving company. He made everyone around him better."
Evan Srivastava
Senior Manager, Builder.ai
"Joe is one of those rare people who makes you think differently just by being around him. He's the kindest and wisest person I know."
Kain Yazdi
Chief of Staff, Builder.ai
"Joe is one of the most supportive leaders I've had the privilege of working with. I have no doubt Formation Academy will have a lasting impact on everyone Joe works with."
Ian Mousley
Associate Director of Sales Development, Builder.ai
"His influence extended well beyond the work we did together — it changed how I think about leadership and the kind of environment I strive to create for others."
Jesse Drennan
Managing Director, HSBC
"Joe is the type of leader who not only delivers results but also elevates the people around him."
Fernando Pereira
Head of Global Markets Control Office, Americas — HSBC
"His calm demeanour and ability to make colleagues feel comfortable and get the best out of them is truly remarkable. A thorough gentleman, a statesman and an accomplished business leader."
Gunjan Bhartia
Global Head of Finance, Builder.ai
"What Joe IS an expert in is listening, asking the right questions, and drawing the right conclusions from them."
Chris Harrison
Head of Solution Architects, Builder.ai
"He never compromises on his values and has a real talent for bringing out the best in people, ultimately setting them up for success."
Lucia Bennett
Head of Talent Acquisition, EMEA — Builder.ai
"'You will fail sometimes — but if you don't, you will lose the opportunity to grow.' Joe has taught me to live by my principles, to be humble, and to stay focused."
Lasma Alberte
Director of Data and AI, Kyndryl
"I was impressed many times by Joe's ability to look at a situation through many different lenses."
Paul Heathcote
VP of Delivery and Customer Success, Builder
"A rare leader who genuinely cares about developing his people just as much as he cares about business execution."
Navjot Randhawa
Operations, Builder.ai
"His mentorship and leadership have had a lasting impact on my confidence, decision-making, and career development."
Lauryn Harwood
Office Manager, Builder.ai
"He leads with integrity, holds a high bar for execution, and creates an environment where teams are empowered to do their best work."
Pratik Goyal
VP of Strategic Finance, Builder.ai
"Joe combines real experience with empathy, humour, and straight talking. I have no doubt anyone working with him through Formation Academy will benefit hugely."
James Kelly
Global Head of IT, Builder.ai
Ready to build the leadership team your business deserves?
Whether you are a founder scaling through the messy middle, an investment fund building management capability across a portfolio, or an enterprise finally investing in the layer that matters most — we would like to talk.
No pitch. No hard sell. Just a conversation about where you are and whether Formation can help.