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Quiraing - Isle of Skye, Isle of Skye, Scotland

The Alternative Board North East Scotland

Improve your business and change your life with The Alternative Board

Strategic Support for Business Owners and Leaders Ready to Take Action

Business growth should feel energising, not overwhelming. In North East Scotland, we work with ambitious business owners and leaders, not just for their businesses but for the life they want to lead.
 
Through peer boards and focused one-to-one coaching, TAB helps them move from ideas to action and from pressure to progress.
Whether you're scaling up, planning succession, or simply trying to make space for clearer thinking, we’re here to help you get strategic—and stay accountable.
Business success without burnout.

Running a business is unlike anything else. The weight of responsibility can be overwhelming.

We bring leaders together in a group setting who provide challenge, support, and accountability. 

Our Clients

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DF Communications
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Nippon Gases Logo
Realm Fire and Security-1
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Local Leaders. Real Results.

Running a business can be isolating. Many of our members came to TAB looking for clarity, a sounding board, and a way forward. What they found was far more:
 
  • David tackled retention and productivity challenges by aligning his team around clear, shared goals.
  • Gail embraced innovation and strategic reinvention through dedicated peer and coaching support.
  • Kevin elevated himself out of the day-to-day by ensuring that competent people were empowered and entrusted without my involvement.
These aren’t case studies—they’re transformations. And they happened here, in the North East Scotland.

Since Joining TAB...

68%

of members said their turnover increased

91%

of members said their ability to address people or organisational issues improved

87%

of members said their leadership skills improved

What Makes TAB Different in North East Scotland?

 
We focus on implementation, not just ideas. Through:

  • Monthly Peer Boards:  facilitated sessions with up to 6 non-competing leaders. A space to get challenged, supported, and held accountable.
  • 1:1 Coaching: bespoke guidance rooted in your business reality, helping you make decisions that stick.
  • Strategic Tools: frameworks like StratPro, ValueBuilder and the Business Builder’s Blueprint to turn plans into measurable outcomes.
  • HI-MAP Manager Training: practical leadership development for your managers and supervisors, ensuring strategy takes root beyond the boardroom.
“Our members don’t come to TAB for theory — they come for implementation. We help leaders cut through complexity and make the right decisions, faster.”  - Helen Mill

Your North East Scotland Facilitators

Helen Mill New 600x600

Helen Mill

07465235580
Email Helen
Make an enquiry here Read more about Helen

With a foundation in engineering and a career built on strategic execution, Helen helps business owners bridge technical insight and commercial ambition. As Owner and Facilitator at TAB North East Scotland, she draws on over 30 years of experience—from product innovation and IP strategy to business structuring and investor readiness—to support leaders in making confident, high-impact decisions that drive lasting success.

Jonathan Smith

Jonathan Smith

07971303772
Email Jonathan
Make an enquiry here Read more about Jonathan

Jonathan is a Partner for The Alternative Board in Aberdeenshire East.

He has expertise from many years in Shell, plus SMEs, public and 3rd sectors in UK, Europe, Russia, Middle East and globally. His specialist areas are Leadership, Governance & strategy, Organisation Development, Change and Talent Management. He has a successful track record in oil and gas, distribution, aviation, chemicals, manufacturing and research, as well as delivering in many cultures.

Jonathan focuses his work on what he most enjoys: helping organisations and people thrive. The Alternative Board is a great fit.
He is on the board of a number of private and 3rd sector businesses. He also provides consultancy services. He was given the award of Inspirational Mentor of the Year 2019 for his work with SMEs.

He lives in Aberdeen with his wife, their two teenage children and Bobby, their border terrier.

Discover the  power of peer advice

Start with you

Focus on what you want in life and how your business can help get you there.

Increase profitability

Be held accountable to meet your business targets.

Improve decisions

Take control of your decisions through peer support and proven planning tools.

Make better time choices

Spend your time well by utilising the experience of others.

Become a better leader

Motivate your people with the guidance of peers and an expert coach.

Plan a successful exit

Get the best result for you with tailored, hands-on support.

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Get a comprehensive report which evaluates how ready you and your business are for exit.

The Value Builder System™ is a statistically proven methodology designed to improve the value of a privately held business.

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StratPro-logo

Our proven business transformation program is designed for management teams.

Create a compelling vision for your business, achieve greater alignment and accountability in your team, establish a thriving business culture and have the business tools to execute your vision of success successfully.

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Start your TAB journey

Get in touch with us using the forms on this page.

Someone will contact you to arrange an introductory meeting.

 Chat about whether TAB is right for you and your business.

Attend your first TAB board meeting and experience the power of peer support.

There’s no obligation, only an opportunity to find out more.

Get Started

Sample Board and Coaching

We have a limited number of places, a max of 8 each, for a series of events that will give decision-makers new ideas to help improve their business in ways that change your life. 
 
Each event has two parts:
  • Sample Board | You'll work together to give you new ideas, actions and accountability to drive your business forward
  •  Personal 1:2:1 coaching call  | To build on these ideas and turn them into actions, agree on the best way forward for your business and consider some challenging questions! 

You will leave with ideas, strategies and tactics that can impact your business. 

There is no cost to attend the Sample Board and receive 1:2:1 Coaching, but you must be a business owner, partner or key decision-maker to reserve a seat.

Follow-up Coaching Call will be arranged at a mutually convenient time. Duration: Sample Board - 2 hours; Coaching - 1 hour.

Helen's Blog