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The Alternative Board York

TAB York has been helping business owners and helping them help each other for over 10 years.

Expert business advice through advisory boards and business coaching

Better work-life balance for York business owners

TAB works with over 100+ businesses in Yorkshire

Over 400 UK businesses and thousands more in over 20 countries are part of The Alternative Board globally

If this sounds interesting, or you’re looking for local business coaching and advisory services, why not call Elliot or Natalie?

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Your York facilitators

With a background in international business at world leading companies, Elliot is a seasoned Sales & Marketing Director with 25 years’ experience.

He spent 17 years on the Board of James Heal (the world leader in the design and manufacture of laboratory testing for the textile and automotive industry). Before that, he completed management training at United Biscuits, McVities, where he attained his Human Resource professional qualification (IPD).

Elliot has extensive export experience throughout Asia, the Indian subcontinent and EMEA markets. During that time, he managed the global distributor network to grow markets locally through exclusive partners. Consequently, Elliot has combined entrepreneurial drive with business-management skills to drive gains in revenue, market share, and profit performance. In 2012, Elliot played a significant role in winning the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.

With extensive Board Level experience at an successful family SME, Elliot communicates a clear, strategic vision which translates into effective sales and marketing solutions. He has very strong values and places a high emphasis on customer satisfaction, whilst cultivating excellent relationships with new prospects.

A seasoned sales and marketing professional, Elliot has travelled extensively worldwide, and project-managed a major re-brand of a 140-year-old business. He played a significant role in the acquisition of James Heal to American Private Equity House. Additionally, he provided consultancy and coaching to local SME businesses to enable them to develop their growth aspirations.

People development is high on Elliot’s agenda with his clients. From support with their recruitment process, and team productivity with DiSC Profiling, Elliot helps his clients creates winning teams. Above all, Elliot facilitates business owners in developing a structure and culture that ensures they see great results through their business vision.

As co-owner of The Alternative Board® (TAB) York, we currently support over 30 forward-thinking businesses to grow, overcome challenges and seize new opportunities. Operating 5 peer advisory boards and 1:1 business coaching sessions; we continue to expand.

With over 25 years’ experience in Marketing, as Senior Lead & Board Level; Hallmark Cards, Boost Drinks and BMW, creating a blend of corporate and privately run business understanding. Working amongst strong teams to deliver strategic direction, leading marketing strategies, as well as being instrumental in creating structure for growth, scalability and organisational change. I have a strong ethos in recruiting the right people, developing teams and ensuring the right personal development to retain the best talent.

Now as an executive coach and advisor, I offer practical business advice and a confidential sounding board enabling business leaders to learn and grow, regardless of where they are in their own journey. I am passionate about driving simple, logical and effective results to help move business forward.

The TAB model, allows business leaders of non-competing companies to meet as a board of up to 6 members for 4 hours a month, in a confidential setting.

So, what do the leaders of a manufacturing business, a software company, a PR Agency and solicitors have in common? The insight, experience and wisdom to help each other with their company and personal visions.

Our aim is expand peoples thinking beyond their own industry providing new perspectives and inspire new ways of dealing with challenges. This provides impartial advice because they are not a stakeholder in your business, however really welcome the accountability it drives. Members gain perspective in making better decisions, harnessing knowledge and working on their own business, not just in it. Not theories, just practical, real-world, invaluable hands-on experience.

Each month, I also meet with each business leader individually for a coaching session focussed on their business and personal goals, whilst working and providing access to TAB's business tools designed specifically to help SMEs.

Our members

Discover the benefits of advice from others like you

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.

Our members are stronger together

I felt I had made a success of growing my business from start-up to employing 100 people after 10 years, but that I needed something more to help me take it to the next level. Being a member of TAB has given me an external perspective from both my fellow board members and 1:1 coaching sessions which I was missing before. With their help I am better equipped to achieve the ambitions I have for my business. If you are anything like me you will quickly begin to see TAB as an investment in yourself and your business.
Luke Norbury, Home Instead
Since working with Natalie and Elliot Rich from TAB York, my business performance has greatly benefited. The monthly peer boards and 1-2-1 coaching has been invaluable in developing my business strategy, leadership skills, and long-term sustainability. The thoughtful onboarding process, flexible membership terms, and supportive peer group have exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend giving TAB a try.
Susan Binnersley, H2H Resources
Running a business is a challenge, but today's new problem is something someone else has already dealt with. This week's craziness is next week’s learning, and tomorrow’s insight is sometimes the inspiration another needs. So it's about being part of a community that can share, support, guide and celebrate. We are all individuals, but together we are strong. Elliot has demonstrated his expertise and experience throughout the years I have known him via The Alternative Board. He provides carefully considered advice, support, impetus, and always an ability to listen without judgment. He exhibits excellent professional skills and business insights; more importantly, he cares about the entrepreneurs he works with and the success of both their businesses and their personal goals. Running a business is an often lonely, complex, and challenging endeavour. Through good times and tough times, Elliot has been there.
Simon Hudson, Kinata Ltd
As I stepped into my new MD role, Elliot and TAB came highly recommended to assist, advise and help me through this transition. Elliot has become an integral part of my business and circle of trust. Elliot offers a progressive balance between coaching, mentoring, teaching and challenging that has helped me move strategic initiatives forward in a more balanced, comprehensive and effective manner. Elliot supported me in clarifying my focus and challenged me to develop new ways to lead people, encouraging better interaction with my peers and staff. He has also supported my personal development and my business plans. Elliot always offers frank, independent, neutral advice that is often difficult to find inside one's own workplace. He is my conscience and mentor, and he keeps me on track and accountable.
Nick Turnbull, Managing Director, incDOT Design & Print
Elliot has the rare ability to see right to the heart of an issue, be it big or small, and I’ve found his support and insight invaluable. Elliot gives us genuinely very useful, honest, and actionable advice across a broad range of issues in the business; his knowledge and guidance come without judgement, irrespective of the scale of the challenge or opportunity. I’ve especially appreciated Elliot’s support in staff development, developing a marketing strategy and working towards a real growth plan for our consulting business, although I'm sure we're only scratching the surface of what he can bring to us. Above all, it's fair to say that Elliot really cares about the businesses and people that he works with. This is further illustrated in the open, mutually supportive culture he creates within the board, which also demonstrates the degree of insight and intelligence he brings to selecting a diverse yet complimentary mix of businesspeople. Elliot has pushed me to really figure out what it is we’re trying to achieve and is the kind of strong (but kind!) figure who also holds me accountable and makes sure I follow through on the ideas and plans that we make. I thoroughly recommend working with Elliot to support your business.
Mike Waldron, RDD+
10/10 Coach, Mentor and Sounding Board. Elliot's input has had a transformative impact on my business; immeasurably improving the quality of decision making, setting priorities, encouraging ambitious growth targets and developing a strategic action plan. He grasps problems quickly and readily offers an excellent analysis with suggested action points. Elliot is impressive; his thinking is always one step ahead. He is ambitious for you; he wants you to achieve your desired business success and your own life goals. Elliot is a key driver of success in my business.
James Fraser, The Framed Picture Company
Clifford's Tower, York

Member successes and celebrations

Team TAB (York)

Azets Charity Golf Day

The TAB York Effect

PPS Ltd

Team Building

TAB York Board

Team Building

TAB York Board

Simon Hudson

Soapy Group

Richard Metcalfe

Rogerthorpe Manor Hotel

Start your TAB journey

Get in touch with Elliot or Natalie.

They 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.

Media Coverage

Elliot and Natalie Rich

Published in the York Press on 14th June 2023

Natalie Rich joins her husband, Elliot Rich as
co-director at TAB York

Natalie Rich york

Published in Inside Media on 9th June 2023

TAB York brings in new director, Natalie Rich


Elliot award-1

Published in Franchise Info on 27th April 2023

York-based Entrepreneur Elliot Rich Named TAB's Franchisee of the Year 2023 for Stellar Growth and Success .....

Elliot Rich The Yorkshire Times

Published in the Yorkshire Times on 20th October 2020

Elliot Rich - The Alternative Board


Elliot Rich 2022

Published in The York Press on 29th July 2020

Elliot Rich Yorkshire Post

Published in The Yorkshire Post on 1st June 2020

Introducing the York-Based Alternative Board Advisor: Empowering Businesses to Bounce Back Post-Lockdown

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