About TAB (The Alternative Board)

We believe your business should give you what you want from life.

We’re here to help you reach both your business and personal goals.

Back in the America of the 90’s, our founder Allen Fishman, realised that his non-executive directors had been invaluable to him over the course of his career, and he wanted to make that experience accessible to all business owners.

Fast forward 30 years and the power of peer advice and coaching has spread across the globe and TAB has helped over 25,000 business owners achieve personal and business success.

In the UK, we’ve been doing just that since 2009. Now with over forty facilitators in operation across the UK, we continue to love what we do, and we know our members do too!

Ed Reid

Co-Owner

Mags Fuller

Co-Owner

Suzanne Bell

Marketing

Rena Crossley

Training and Development

Tara Covell

Digital Marketing

Emma Woodhead

Finance

Tracey Russell

Central Admin

"TAB has given me coaching sessions, focusing on the positive elements of my business and helping to grow and develop during what is probably the most difficult trading period we have encountered. TAB has also invited me to a monthly board meeting where I joined six existing members, all of whom have extensive business experience and have provided me with some invaluable advice, guidance and accountability."

Kelly Smith, Juice Personnel

"I always feel uplifted and more confident following a board meeting. The challenges we face as business owners are invariably those shared by the other board members. Bringing them to the table puts them in perspective and usually provides several options on how to tackle them. Support, being non-judgemental and really trying to understand each other's businesses help make the meetings fun, enjoyable and, most of all, invaluable to the growth and well-being of my own business. The regular one-to-ones help build on this with tough constructive advice. I would be lost without the support of TAB."

Jan Buckett , JMB Accounting

"I have a debt of gratitude to TAB after a 400% turnover boost. I can’t speak highly enough of The Alternative Board. It has made a huge difference to our agency. It’s something I would encourage business owners to think about. We wouldn’t have been able to achieve the growth we have without TAB."

Adam Bell, Moment

Having a Peer Board is an amazing asset to me. It’s a safe and supportive environment where you get the support of other business owners who are committed to your success. It’s allowing me to be candid and get different views on sorting out knotty problems.

Professor Deborah Eyre, High Performance Learning

"TAB is an independent thought process, away from the influences and pressures of work. In the day-to-day job, you can get drawn into distractions, you often don’t have time to think, and you’re just firefighting problems. However, with TAB, getting out of the office and speaking with the board for the 3-4 hours we have together allows me to think more independently."

David Scalley, AJT Engineering

"Before TAB, I didn’t really have anyone I could talk to about business issues. Getting reassurance from my board on things I’m thinking of doing gives me more confidence to get on with it. I really value the openness of my board and facilitator, which allows me to say what I’m feeling and thinking. I’m now making longer-term plans and decisions about the business. As a result, I enjoy running the business more because I know we’re heading in the direction, rather than focusing on short-term fixes."

Geoff Hunt, Hey Group

What if I have more questions?

If you're still unsure, the best thing to do is to talk to your nearest facilitator. They will be happy to chat you through the benefits TAB provides and you can ask them all your burning questions. There could even be a coffee involved! Better yet, they can put you in touch with some current members to hear directly from them. Just find your facilitator on the Boards Near Me page.

How do I know I'll get value?

We have many ways to prove the value of TAB membership. Not only do we have the word of our current members but in our last member survey, we identified that the revenue growth of TAB member businesses averaged 25.7%, that's 5.5 more than the national SME average. In fact, we believe so much in the value TAB provides that we offer a 90 day satisfaction guarantee. Experience TAB membership for three months and if you really don't get value, we give your money back. There's nothing to lose. So why not give it a go?

How will people from other industries be able to understand my unique business and help me with challenges and opportunities?

Whilst all businesses are unique in some way , they still face many of the same major issues with time, people, strategy, money, vision and exit.

You are an expert in your sector, but we are all experts in business. The advantage of working with fellow business owners and leaders from diverse backgrounds is their ability to provide new perspectives and different ways to handle the same situation based on real world experience.

You will also get the opportunity to help others, by offering your perspective and advice. It's a win-win!

How do I find my nearest TAB Facilitator?

It’s easy to find your nearest TAB facilitator, just visit our Boards Near Me page and get in touch with them. They’ll be happy to answer any more specific questions about TAB and how we can help you and your business.

What is the difference between a Business Coach and a Business Mentor?

There is a small difference between a coach and mentor. A coach acts as a sounding board and guide, helping coachees tap into their full potential, whereas a mentor offers or imparts their own knowledge and experience to help someone else grow and develop. Our TAB Facilitators endeavour to do a bit of both because ultimately we want you, the business owner, to get what you want from life. We work with you to help you achieve that very personal vision of success.

How can I get started with a TAB Membership?

We're delighted you're interested in a TAB Membership. Your first start is to find your nearest TAB facilitator. Just visit our Boards Near Me page. Once you've found your nearest facilitator, get in touch with them by sending an enquiry. Then they'll arrange an introductory meeting to get to know you and your business, and how TAB could work for you. It's just a chat really and no obligation, so what have you got to lose?

Why is TAB a better option than a business coach or consultant?

We never say we're better, we're just different. We see each of our members as a consultant because they are running their own businesses and have gained, and are still gaining, so much invaluable experience. A TAB Board is a bit like having half a dozen consultants to help you!

2024 Autumn Budget: What It Means for UK Business Owners

6 November 2024 | 3 minute read

Ed explores the impact of the 2024 Autumn Budget on UK businesses and discusses strategies for navigating new financial challenges and opportunities.

How and why entrepreneurs choose business coaches

31 October 2024 | 3 minute read

Discover how business coaching can drive growth, improve efficiency, and provide accountability for entrepreneurs, with insights from TAB's 2024 Member Survey.

Position Zero: How UK SMEs Can Take the Top Spot on Google

31 October 2024 | 4 minute read

Learn how UK SMEs can achieve top visibility on Google by securing Position Zero with strategic content creation, structured data, and AI tools.

Connecting leaders with each other across the UK and worldwide

Our story

Results that speak for themselves

This is what our members have to say from our recent survey...

68%

90%

62%

98%

86%

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64%

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Meet our central support team