About High Impact Academy
The Problem We’re Solving
The professional development landscape is failing its audience:
Compliance over capability - Most training is built to meet requirements, not to build real-world skill.
No clear direction - People need help knowing what to focus on now and next as careers and industries shift.
Certificates ≠ Progress - Professionals want skills that get them promoted, not just a PDF of completion.
Too much content, not enough clarity - Bloated platforms overwhelm instead of helping people focus.
Knowledge behind closed doors - The best thinking is stuck inside elite firms and universities.
Too theoretical, too generic - Learning often feels disconnected from the real challenges professionals face.
Learning in isolation - People want to collaborate and connect beyond their organisation.
Limited access to great minds - There’s rarely a chance to learn from the experience of exceptional leaders.
One-size-fits-none - Professionals want to read, watch, listen, do and discuss – not just sit through slides.
Curation over clutter - Above all, they want quality learning that’s clear, concise and built for impact.
We created High Impact Academy to solve these problems head-on.
Our Founder
Chris McLaren
Chris is an internationally recognised strategic advisor and digital leader with over 25 years of global experience. Chris’s vision for High Impact Academy is clear: make world-class thinking, tools and skills accessible to anyone with the drive to grow and maximise their impact.
Here’s how we’re different
This is professional development reimagined - built for those who want to lead, grow and deliver results with confidence.
We focus on skills that drive real-world outcomes — not just tick-box training or hollow certificates. Every course, tool and session is built for impact, not bureaucracy.
We cut through the noise with curated, concise content that’s designed to be used — not just consumed. You’ll find exactly what you need, when you need it.
Our library includes ready-to-use templates, checklists, frameworks and playbooks — so you can go from learning to doing without delay.
Learn directly from senior advisors, former executives and leading practitioners — not course factories or career influencers.
Watch a quick video. Download a tool. Read a 2-page guide. Join a live roundtable. Choose the learning style that fits your day.
Engage with a network of high-performing professionals across industries and geographies. Learn from peers, challenge your thinking and grow together.
Whether you're stepping into leadership or scaling transformation, we help you focus on what matters most now — and what will matter next.
Designed for real workloads, real time constraints and real business challenges — our content fits into your day, not the other way around.
Start your journey now – become a High Impact Academy member today.
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Between now and 2027, businesses predict that 44% of workers’ core skills will be disrupted
Future of Jobs Report 2023
World Economic Forum