World-renowned ACEA® strategic training for executive assistants comes to Edinburgh
As the role of the executive assistant experiences a huge shift, the globally recognised Advanced Certificate for the Executive Assistant: ACEA® in-person training course offers the ideal way to gain the essential skills and knowledge to excel in your role.
The executive assistant’s remit is changing from transactional support to strategic support.
“Modern executive assistants (EAs) have evolved far beyond diary management – today’s top EAs act as force multipliers for their executives and the wider organisation,” says Richard Arnott, course director for the Advanced Certificate for the Executive Assistant: ACEA®.
The course, which is taking place in Edinburgh for the first time in June 2026, is an intensive and rigorous five-day programme to empower EAs to take their skills to new heights.
A trusted advisor at the heart of decision-making
Skilled EAs now filter information, prioritise competing demands, and provide insight that enables executives to focus on the issues that matter most, continues Richard.
Increasingly, executive assistants are also asked to manage stakeholder relationships, navigate corporate dynamics, and serve as their executive’s proxy with teams, clients, and external partners.
This expansion of the traditional role to support organisational strategy, not just operations, means high-performing EAs need to understand strategy frameworks, risk management, project governance, and performance management in order to contribute meaningfully to business outcomes.
AI is transforming the role – for the better
“As automation replaces many transactional and repetitive activities, executive assistants can be freed up to spend more time providing strategic support that adds value for their executives,” continues Richard.
As organisations navigate the market shifts, technological disruption, and evolving workforce expectations that define our modern world, EAs have the opportunity to become the stabilising force, coordinating communication, alignment, and execution.
But this increased demand has led to a widening skills gap. Many EAs are still trained for a traditional support role, leaving executives searching for assistants capable of operating at a strategic, analytical, and organisational level.
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Time to take your skills to the next level
This is where the Advanced Certificate for the Executive Assistant: ACEA®comes in. Executive assistants are stepping into a new phase of professional influence, marked by strategic contribution, adaptability, and a strong focus on innovative approaches. Key to this is knowing how to leverage technology to amplify your value and cement your role as an indispensable partner to the C-suite.
“Professional development is no longer optional,” says Richard. “Forward-thinking leaders are enrolling their EAs on programmes like ACEA® to strengthen the executive–assistant partnership, elevate organisational performance, and unlock more capacity for high-value work.
“Today’s top EAs need business acumen, financial insight and project leadership skills to support executives strategically—not just administratively..”
The ACEA ® is a globally recognised certification which was conceived in Scotland in 2012 and now has over 4000 alumni globally. Previously hosted at the iconic Gleneagles Hotel, it’s coming home to Scotland this year and will be delivered in Edinburgh for the first time from 15–19 June.
To find out more and book a place, visit the website.