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The Alternative Board Cambridge

Improve your business and change your life with The Alternative Board

Experience the power of peer support

Running a business is hard, especially when you are doing it alone. By joining one of our peer advisory boards, you can work through business ideas and issues with fellow (non-competing) business owners who have lived what you are living.

Martin Oakley Headshot

What this means for you

  • You’ll gain new perspectives on your biggest opportunities and challenges.
  • You’ll receive constructive feedback and impartial advice.
  • You’ll get a supportive group of accountability partners. 

TAB members across the UK are making better decisions and taking more purposeful action with peer support, backed by regular 1-2-1 coaching.

To join them, contact Martin to discuss how TAB membership can help you and your business.

TAB Cambridge supports business owners in Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire, Saffron Walden and North Essex, Haverhill, and East Suffolk.

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

Your Cambridge Facilitator

With over three decades of experience as an accomplished business leader in the UK and Asia, Martin blends his extensive leadership background with formal coaching qualifications to help business owners and leaders realise their full potential in business and beyond.

Throughout his career, Martin has led teams and organisations ranging from 10 to 2,000 people, generating annual revenues between £500k and £300m. His areas of expertise encompass revenue generation, operations, IT, risk management, culture, and conduct. Prior to transitioning to business coaching and advisory in 2020, Martin served as the Chief Operating Officer for a globally recognised investment bank.

Martin attributes his previous successes to his unwavering passion for nurturing and empowering individuals, organisations, and communities. He has partnered with The Alternative Board UK (TAB) to fulfil his aspiration of supporting and empowering local SME businesses in-and-around Cambridge, Saffron Walden and Haverhill to be the best they can be. 

As a business owner, finding high-quality, unbiased advice within a supportive and non-judgmental atmosphere can be challenging. By joining a TAB peer board—consisting of six non-competing business owners—you will benefit from fresh perspectives, collective support, constructive feedback, and ongoing accountability. The insights gained from your peer board will be further refined during monthly one-on-one coaching sessions with Martin, where you will collaborate to create a personal vision and business strategy backed by a comprehensive action plan.

The Alternative Board sets itself apart from traditional business coaches and consultants in two key ways. First, TAB focuses on you, the business owner, utilising your personal goals and vision to shape your business strategy. Second, your peer board offers access to over 100 years of diverse business experience that can be applied to address your most pressing challenges and opportunities.

If you are ready to explore and pursue the full potential of your business and life, reach out to Martin today to discuss how TAB membership can help.

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.

What our members say...

Joining a TAB board starts as an antidote for imposter syndrome and ends up providing accountability for how you are running your business. The act of stepping back each month to gain a new perspective, helped by the fresh insights and advice of fellow business owners, is a helpful practice that makes you intentional rather than reactive in your work.
Alan Mitchell, Fluent (Cambridge) Ltd
Running a company of any size can often feel isolating, and finding impartial, directional advice can be challenging. The TAB peer board I’m part of has truly transformed this experience. The opportunity to discuss my challenges with a diverse group of business leaders has consistently provided fresh perspectives and alternative solutions. I wouldn’t have made the beneficial decisions I have without the support and innovative thinking of this group. It’s also reassuring to know that, regardless of our business types, we all face similar issues, and the mutual support we share is incredibly positive.
Sebastian Stanley, Complete Fabrication
Martin has a wealth of experience, and it’s clear that he genuinely enjoys helping others. His approach is simple yet effective. By offering clear thinking, dependable advice and most importantly accountability, his coaching has helped to reduce the noise and create focus. Through his sage advice and patient listening, our management team has become more effective at both the strategic and day-to-day levels. It’s great to have him on our team.
Alan Mitchell, Fluent (Cambridge) Ltd
Working with Martin over the past year has been incredibly beneficial. As the Managing Director of a small company, I face numerous challenges both on a personal level but also in business development, and Martin’s openness to listen and understand these issues has been invaluable. His advice has consistently helped me navigate situations in a way that benefits everyone involved. Martin’s insight and experience as a coach have given me newfound confidence in my ever-evolving role.
Sebastian Stanley, Complete Fabrication

Start your TAB journey

Get in touch with Martin.

He will contact you to arrange an introductory meeting.

During which, you’ll 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.

Latest news and insights

The benefits of advisory boards for small business owners

18 September 2024 | 4 minute read

At The Alternative Board (TAB), peer advisory boards are a big part of what we do. Here we list the benefits of advisory boards for small business owners.

Six Common Misconceptions About Peer Advisory Boards

17 September 2024 | 5 minute read

Discover the truth behind common misconceptions about peer advisory boards and learn how they can transform your business, providing growth, efficiency, and invaluable support.

Four Reasons Why You Need a Peer Advisory Board

17 September 2024 | 4 minute read

Discover how peer advisory boards can improve your business with expert advice, fresh perspectives, and valuable support to achieve your goals.