We are pleased to announce that The Alternative Board (TAB) UK has been recognised as a finalist in the prestigious Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2023. We are especially proud to be the only franchise brand that has reached the final six in the Service Industries Entrepreneur of the Year category for the North East, Yorkshire, and the Humber region.
Operating from our base at Marshall’s Mill in Leeds city centre, TAB facilitates peer advisory boards and provides business coaching across the UK. Our core objective is to support SME owners and senior executives in their growth and development, aiding them in increasing profitability and improving their lives by drawing on the wealth of experience within their peer network.
TAB UK was established in 2010 and was taken over by our co-owners, Ed Reid and Mags Fuller, in 2017. Under their leadership, we have built a strong franchise network of 40 franchises across the country, supporting over 400 business owners and leaders.
Our plans for the future are ambitious, with Ed and Mags aiming to triple our membership over the next decade. We welcome more franchisees who wish to join us on this journey.
Ed expressed his delight at this recognition by the awards for the second consecutive year. For him, this nomination is not just a personal accolade but an acknowledgement of the exceptional partnership with Mags. Together, they have fostered a network of passionate franchise owners, members, and entrepreneurs.
He says: “This year’s shortlisting isn’t just about me. It’s an acknowledgement of the great partnership that Mags and I have. Together we have grown a network of hugely passionate franchise owners, members, and entrepreneurs who, by joining TAB, are investing not just in the future of their own companies but also in the wider UK business community.
“Having strong business leadership across the UK is critical to our economy, particularly as we face increasingly challenging market conditions. Many members join TAB because they need support running their businesses, but they gain far more than that. This year we are particularly focused on helping our members set out their personal visions, encompassing their professional and private lives.
“Equally, bringing together leaders from a cross-section of industries is incredibly powerful. Sharing leadership challenges with their peers gives our members a sense of community and often the solution to critical issues such as recruitment, people management and retention.”
Now in its 11th year, and previously described as ‘The Grammys for Entrepreneurship’, The Great British Entrepreneur Awards celebrate the outstanding individuals and businesses that drive innovation, generate employment opportunities, and contribute to the growth of the UK economy. Francesca James, the founder of the awards, commented:
“The Great British Entrepreneur Awards receives thousands of applications annually and the competition is tough. I am truly inspired by the remarkable accomplishments of this year's finalists. Their collective achievements of generating over £2.7 billion in turnover and employing over 33,000 people demonstrate the exceptional impact they have made in their industries and communities. These entrepreneurs exemplify the spirit of innovation, resilience, and growth that drives the entrepreneurial landscape in the UK."
The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on November 20th at London’s Grosvenor House, where industry leaders, innovators, and influencers will come together to celebrate the finalists' accomplishments.