How a Peer Board Helped Turn Around a Business and Build a More Resilient Leader

Jim Liptrot has spent over 25 years in blue-chip companies, including British Aerospace, followed by another 25 years working with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A lifelong rugby league fan and proud grandfather of four, Jim is now a Director of Life Changing Education and founder of The Invisible Workforce Ltd. In this case study, he reflects on his time as Managing Director of Howorth Air Technology and how The Alternative Board (TAB) helped him navigate some of the toughest challenges in both his business and personal life.

The Challenge

Jim’s story with Howorth began with a strong sense of purpose. Before stepping into the challenges of leadership, it was the company’s mission that first drew him in and ultimately shaped his decision to join.

"Howorth basically saves lives. I joined as Operations Manager at Howorth because when I realised what they did, I thought —Wow they save lives," Jim explains.

"The company provides ultra-clean air solutions, primarily for both the healthcare sector and pharmaceutical drug manufacturing companies. That includes ultra-clean operating theatres for healthcare, predominately in the UK. And in the pharmaceutical sector, Howorth manufacture equipment for major international drug companies to produce the latest life-saving drugs. That purpose was a huge reason for me to join the business."

Finding the Right Support at the Right Time

In late 2017, Jim was appointed Managing Director, following his previous role as Group Operations Director.

"By the middle of 2018, I was in a very lonely place," he recalls. Previous MDs had all been very sales-focused, so my people and operations focus was a big change (not just to the owner of the business), but change was essential. When I took over halfway through the financial year, the company had lost £400k, and whilst I knew the business needed a clear strategy, it wasn’t something I’d done before, and I knew I needed outside help."

The Solution

Through a mutual connection, Jim was introduced to Paul Winterbottom, facilitator for TAB in Manchester. " Everything about the way TAB worked just made sense to me—the half-day format, the small number of people, the fact that all members of the board were SME business owners, and the monthly 1:1’s. I knew that was the kind of support I needed.”

"I Was One of One. Then I Was One of Eight."

Jim admits he felt apprehensive about joining. "It’s the only time in my life I’ve experienced imposter syndrome. I wasn’t a business owner, and I was joining a board of six other people who were. I made it seven, and I was the only non-owner in the room."

"In the first meeting I was a bit shocked at how direct some of the advice was. But they really welcomed me, and I didn’t feel like they saw me as anything other than an equal. That really helped."

"Having been one of one, suddenly, I was one of eight, including Paul as our facilitator. I also brought in another mentor with an exceptional business background, and we recruited a marketing manager who really aligned with my approach. By the end of the year, I had moved from 1 of 1 to 1 of a team of ten. That support made a massive difference to my confidence."

Accountability and Guidance

Accountability quickly became one of the biggest benefits of TAB. "We share what we’re going to do, make our commitments, and Paul follows up on them. Then at the next board, you’re held accountable, and you report back on what’s been done."

"I don’t like letting people down. That structure keeps you focused and moving forward."

TAB also helped Jim stay true to his strengths. "I’ve always been good at work-life balance. I even encourage others to take a break every eight weeks, even if it’s just a long weekend. However, during COVID, when everything started to go wrong, I began cancelling my holidays. Because I wasn’t going anywhere, I’d just scrap the time off entirely, and Paul being Paul pulled me right back on track.”

He continues, "Even when it came to time management, which I thought I had nailed, TAB helped. In those early days, I hadn’t followed through on something I said I would do. Paul just said, ‘Come on, Jim, you’re better than that.’ And he was right."

The Result

Jim clearly recalls the financial picture before and after TAB. "Between 2010 and 2017, the company lost £1.7 million. Between 2018 and 2023, we made £10 million. That would not have happened without TAB, Paul, and the team."

Facing One of the Hardest Decisions of His Career

One moment stands out above all others.

"Howorth had just won the biggest contract in its history—a £13 million deal with a company producing cancer treatments. But when I reviewed it, the £13 million top line turned into a £2 million negative on the bottom line."

"I was losing sleep. I genuinely believed taking that contract could lead to us closing the business or facing major redundancies. I wasn’t in a good place."

"In the middle of a TAB Zoom board meeting during COVID, the owner rang Jim. "We’d discussed the contract at length, and I said, ‘I’m turning this down.’ This caused great concern amongst all the other directors, but I knew it was necessary for the good of the business."

"I was grey when I came off the call and the last thing I wanted to do was to go back on the TAB board meeting that I had come out of to take the call, but I also knew it was vital that I did."

"The Board encouraged me to stick to my convictions and have an extremely challenging conversation with the new client and be prepared to walk away from the opportunity because of the risks to the business in the way the deal had been negotiated."

"Whilst it was incredibly stressful, I knew it was the right thing to do, not only for Howorth, but also for the client and we ended up renegotiating terms that we were confident we could deliver against (and did). The client ultimately received excellent products, on budget and on time; and we formed a true working partnership with them"

"I genuinely don’t know how I’d have got through it without the support of TAB."

More Than Just Business Advice

"TAB helped me with my accountability. And if it helped me, someone who already values that structure, it’ll definitely help others. You’ve got to be committed and it’s not a quick fix. If you’re not open to learning or recognising your own weaknesses, it won’t work."

"I can’t put a price on what I’ve gained from TAB. The difference it made to the business and to me personally is huge.

During my time on the Board, some of the biggest challenges I’ve faced have been in my personal life, and the Board have always been there, offering a supportive, safe and confidential space"

"It’s not just about business. It’s a life support team."

About Paul Winterbottom

Paul Winterbottom is the TAB Business Owner and Facilitator for TAB Manchester West. With a career rooted in purpose-driven leadership, Paul is passionate about helping business owners find clarity and balance. He understands firsthand the weight of decision-making and the isolation that can come with leadership roles, especially in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Paul brings empathy, insight, and a strong belief in peer support to every board he facilitates. His work with TAB enables business owners to focus on what matters most, whether that’s business growth, personal development, exit planning, developing leadership teams, or simply having the right people in their corner.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your business, contact Paul to learn how TAB can help you grow and succeed.

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"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

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

"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

"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

How a Peer Board Helped Turn Around a Business and Build a More Resilient Leader

The Challenge

Finding the Right Support at the Right Time