Recognition & Board of Standards

Coaching Certification & Quality Assurance

The International Board of Standards for Coaching is committed to maintaining rigorous global quality benchmarks in education, certification, and professional development.

Accreditation & Quality Standards

Our Certification Board operates under recognized quality and educational frameworks, including:

• ESQ European Accreditation
• ISO 9001 Certified – Quality Management Systems
• ISO 21001 Certified – Educational Organization Management
• ISO 29993 Certified – Learning Services for Non-Formal Education

We maintain academic alliances and quality articulation agreements with respected accreditation and standards bodies to ensure that our certification processes align with international best practices.

Our programs are also sanctioned and recognized through regional educational partnerships serving multiple international jurisdictions, including cooperation with institutions across the Arab region.

Commitment to Graduate-Level Standards — Since 1996

Since 1996, the International Board of Standards and the Academy have promoted graduate-level professional certification standards.

Following the chartering of the Graduate Leadership Institute in 1997, our mission has focused on:

• Accredited education pathways
• Structured examinations and assessments
• Competency verification
• Ethical standards enforcement
• Continuing professional education requirements

Applicants for advanced certifications must demonstrate appropriate academic credentials, professional experience, and—where applicable—evidence of research, publications, or leadership contributions in public policy, management, or related fields.

Global Recognition

Our professional network includes members in more than 100 countries worldwide.

We maintain collaborative relationships with:

• Professional associations
• Accreditation agencies
• Leading universities and educational institutions
• NGOs and nonprofit organizations
• Industry leaders and global enterprises

These partnerships strengthen the credibility and international portability of our certifications.

Certified Training Programs

Our certification training programs are delivered under internationally recognized quality frameworks and are aligned with ISO-certified management and educational standards. This commitment ensures that candidates receive structured, transparent, and globally benchmarked certification pathways.

Recognition: The first EU-USA professional certification Body to achieve triple ISO educational recognition.

George Mentz GAFM® and The Boards of Standards he has founded have delivered executive programs, certification frameworks, and strategic collaborations with leading global institutions including HSBC Private Banking, Commercial Bank (MENA region), Thomson Reuters, Pearson and Pearson VUE, National Underwriter, LexisNexis, the Securities & Commodities Authority (SCA Dubai – UAE), SCATC UAE Financial Markets Training, the China Banking Association, the Asian Bankers Institute, The Arab League's Academy, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (training approvals referenced), and BNSP – Indonesia’s National Certification Bureau. These collaborations have included collaboration for: certification initiatives, wealth and risk  training, project management programs, compliance programs, governance programs, business coaching programs,  regulatory-aligned continuing education, and graduate executive development initiatives across international markets.

Mentz's companies have been been listed, disclosed, or referenced within various governmental and regulatory frameworks. These include inclusion in U.S. Department of Labor occupational resources, NASD / FINRA regulatory references, and listings within the United Nations Civil Society Registry. Mentz's Pioneering Certification Programs have further been recognized within licensing and ministry systems across India, China,  the UAE, Indonesia, UAE, Arab League, and Southeast Asia which is about 1/2 of the world population.  All certifications are structured in alignment with international accreditation principles and regulatory best practices.

GAFM® maintains articulation agreements, accreditation alignment, and partnership relationships with SIS Certification, ACBSP Accredited Business Schools, ABA Accredited Law Schools,  Commission for Higher Education Quality Standards, ECLBS (European Council of Leading Business Schools), QAHE (Quality Assurance in Higher Education), MACCA Accreditation Agency, the Arab Academy for Banking & Financial Sciences, the Asia Pacific School of Business, Engineering Society (France and Singapore), and the University of Business & Technology (KSA). Through these articulation and accreditation alliances, GAFM® certifications have been integrated into executive and graduate programs at more than 1,000 business schools worldwide.

The IBS™ International Board of Standards operates under ISO 21001 Educational Organization Management Systems, ISO 29993 Learning Services, and ISO 9001 Quality Management standards, positioning GAFM® among the first EU-USA professional certification bodies to achieve triple ISO recognition.

In-house executive certification and graduate training programs have been delivered globally across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Mainland China, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, India, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Papua New Guinea, the Bahamas, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Greece, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and other emerging markets.

GAFM® certifications and advisory contributions have been referenced in international media outlets including the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, CNN, ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, Associated Press, MarketWatch, Black Enterprise, The Economic Times, Arab News, South China Post, The China Daily, and others.

Through structured certification standards, ISO-aligned education systems, and cross-border professional alliances, GAFM® and IBS™ continue to develop globally portable credentials for leaders in finance, wealth management, risk management, project management, consulting, human resources, strategic planning, fintech, e-commerce, and executive leadership.