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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

Business success without the 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. 

This peer support empowers leaders to thrive through quicker and better decisions for themselves and their businesses.

We have boards across the northeast of Scotland representing a range of sectors, and a space could be waiting for you...

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

waterloo-quay-properties
Fletcher logo
Dev 4 Logo-1
Forty Two Logo
Sensation all logo-1
DF Communications
Moment Logo 2020
Rose recruitment logo
Nippon Gases Logo
Realm Fire and Security-1
Ternan Energy transparent col logo
4_ttude Logo

Over 5x

TAB members’ sales growth is 5.5 times the national SME average

96%

TAB members said their advisory boards added real value to their business

91%

TAB members report improved ability to address personal and business issues.

Your North East Scotland Facilitators

Originally trained as an engineer, Helen is passionate about bringing new products and services to market. She spent 10 years at NCR as a product designer for cash dispensers. She later worked in the oil and gas sector for Schlumberger and PII Technomarine, designing forecourt equipment and pipeline isolation tools, eventually taking on the role of a strategic product manager.

She lectured at Strathclyde University in Design and Manufacture before establishing a product development centre in Tayside, providing hands-on guidance to small companies in the development, prototyping and intellectual property management before moving to Robert Gordon University, where she managed the research and technology transfer function and, laterally, all commercial activity for a period of 16 years.

During this time, she was involved in supporting companies to be investor-ready and negotiating investment deals on behalf of the University. She has been on the board of several spinout companies and is educated with 4-degree awards, including MBA and LLM Commercial Law.

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.

Andrew Smith is a former owner of Aberdeen Business Network (ABN).

Following the sale of ABN in November 2022, Andrew took a short career break and also published a networking book - 'Cows, Not Cow: How To Make Your Business Networking Really Work'.

He is passionate about helping businesses work together to bring about the best possible results for all parties. He lives in Aberdeen with his partner, three teenagers and one dog! 

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.

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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Value-Builder-Logo

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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Start your TAB journey

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

She 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.

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