ANTONIA TROULLOUS: TURNING OPPORTUNITY INTO PROGRESS

Antonia Troullous represents a new generation of women leaders who move confidently between borders, professions and roles without being defined by any of them. Her career spans law, education, recruitment and business, with companies operating in both Bulgaria and the UK. What connects these different fields is her ability to recognise opportunities, bring people and institutions together and turn knowledge into practical results.

Antonia Troullous's international experience has given her a broad perspective on business and education, while her entrepreneurial path has taught her to combine ambition with discipline and adaptability. Today, through ABC Learning Academy, VisaExpress and Internacional Legal Consultants Ltd, she works at the intersection of people, opportunity and professional development. Alongside building businesses, she continues to invest in her own intellectual growth, currently pursuing a PhD in National Security and Migration.

For Ms Troullous, leadership is not about occupying a position at the top. It is about remaining curious, taking responsibility and having the courage to keep moving forward.

How did a girl from Plovdiv unlock her leadership potential to become a successful business leader in Bulgaria and the UK?

I was born in Plovdiv, and that is where my journey began. I completed my secondary education at Ss Cyril and Methodius Secondary School, where I received a broad education spanning mathematics, physics and natural sciences to English, computer science and choreography.

At 18, I moved to the UK, where I continued my education and built my professional career. I graduated in law from London Metropolitan University in 2011 and worked for five years in a supreme court. Alongside my studies, I gained varied professional experience, from accounting and customer service to company management.

Over the years, this experience gave me the confidence to establish and run businesses in both the UK and Bulgaria. Today, I am Managing Director of ABC Learning Academy, owner of VisaExpress and Managing Director of Internacional Legal Consultants Ltd.

What is the most important thing you learned from your education in the UK? How does it help you become a successful leader?

My education in the UK gave me not only professional knowledge but also a different perspective on work, responsibility and personal development. I gained knowledge in law, accounting, education and working with people. For me, perseverance, discipline and the ability to keep developing are particularly important.

As a person who keeps on investing in her education and professional development, I am currently pursuing a PhD in National Security and Migration at Plovdiv University. I believe that anyone who wants to be a leader and build a successful business must lead by example when it comes to lifelong learning and development.

You play an active role in managing your companies and overseeing their legal affairs. How do you stay focused on the bigger vision while also dealing with the inevitable routine tasks of running a business?

I believe a good leader needs to understand both the bigger picture and the details. My professional journey has allowed me to work across different fields, including law, accounting, management, education and recruitment.

This helps me understand my companies' processes as a whole. To me, being a visionary does not mean staying removed from day-to-day work. It means being able to see the direction while taking care of the details that move the business forward.

And how do you balance being a business leader, a mother and a woman with a strong personal presence?

I am a mother of two: a 11-year-old daughter and a 23-year-old son. Balancing family and professional life is not always easy, but family has always been an important part of my life.

I try to be fully engaged both professionally and as a mother. I believe that the different roles women take on make them stronger, more organised and more responsible.

Why does the market need VisaExpress?

VisaExpress was established in 2021. It is a registered organisation specialising in recruitment and consultancy related to employment abroad.

We provide workforce solutions, sourcing employees from the EU and third countries. Our aim is to connect businesses that need staff with people looking for employment opportunities.

Professionalism, integrity and strong relationships with institutions, partners and stakeholders are extremely important to us. Our motto is: "Our work is a reflection of what we can offer."

Your agency partners with universities in both Bulgaria and the UK. How do you ensure the same quality of service regardless of location?

My experience in both the UK and Bulgaria allows me to understand the specific features of the two education systems. For me, quality starts with a professional approach and accurate information.

ABC Learning Academy has offices in Bulgaria and London and provides training across various areas of education. The organisation is an established education provider and a partner of the Ministry of Education and Science and the Employment Agency on a number of national education projects.

What is the profile of the students who use your services? What kind of students come to Bulgaria with your help? Which UK universities do Bulgarian and other EU students mainly choose?

We mainly work with Bulgarian and UK students seeking educational opportunities in both directions, Bulgaria to the UK and the UK to Bulgaria. Most are young people looking for quality education, international experience and better career prospects.

Bulgarian students most often choose established UK universities, particularly in London, with popular subjects including business and management, law, economics, computer science and engineering.

In the other direction, we work with British students who choose Bulgaria for the opportunity to study in a European environment and benefit from a range of educational and professional opportunities.

For us, the most important thing is that every student receives accurate information, the right educational opportunity and support when moving from one education system to another.

What is the core philosophy behind ABC Learning Academy?

Our core philosophy is that education should be a genuine tool for development. It is not simply about providing a certificate but about helping people acquire knowledge and skills they can use in their personal and professional lives.

It is important to us that training is accessible, high-quality and aligned with people's needs and the demands of the labour market.

Which are your most popular courses at the moment?

Our areas of training include computer literacy, digital skills and multilingual competences. ABC Learning Academy is a partner of the Employment Agency in delivering training under European programmes in these areas.

We have also worked with government administrations, medical, healthcare and hospital institutions on training aimed at improving professional qualifications.

How are you preparing to meet the demands of the labour market in 2026?

The labour market is changing, and education must change with it. That is why we focus on developing training in areas that are becoming increasingly important for career development, including digital competences, computer skills, language skills and professional qualifications.

I believe that successful people in today's labour market need a willingness to keep learning throughout their lives. That is why continuous education is one of the foundations of our work.

ABC Learning Academy now also provides training for people from third countries who come to work in Bulgaria. What do you teach them?

For people from third countries, training is an important part of their adaptation and professional development. We provide education and vocational training designed to give them the knowledge and skills they need to integrate and be better prepared for the workplace.

This is a natural extension of our work in both education and international employment.

Why do employers recruiting workers from third countries choose to partner with ABC Learning Academy?

Because we combine experience across several fields: education, vocational training, legal consultancy and international employment. Through ABC Learning Academy and VisaExpress, we can offer a comprehensive approach, from preparing and training people to supporting their professional integration. It is important to us that employers receive well-prepared staff while the people themselves have the opportunity to adapt successfully to their new working environment.

My experience in the UK, my legal education and years of professional practice allow me to look at these processes from more than one perspective and understand them as a whole.

What would you say to people who are currently unsure whether to take the next step in their professional development?

I would tell them not to be afraid to start. I myself began in Plovdiv, moved to the UK at 18 and gradually built my professional career.

Everyone's path is different, but perseverance, education and the desire to keep developing can open many doors.

For me, success is not a single destination. It is a process: continuing to learn, create and take responsibility, while making the most of the opportunities you have.

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