Business advisory franchise The Alternative Board (TAB) has welcomed Irena Barker as its latest UK franchisee.

Irena has launched a new TAB territory in the London borough of Hillingdon from where she will be utilising her extensive experience in global consulting and private equity to benefit local business owners.

Having enjoyed a successful career with global firms including Capgemini, Capco and Motive Partners subsidiary Motive Create, Irena is delighted to be turning her attention closer to home through the TAB franchise model:

“I am excited to be harnessing my professional skills to make a tangible impact on the local economy and professional community here in Hillingdon,” commented Irena. “For me, the greatest professional reward will be helping businesses within my local community thrive. I’m looking forward to working across a wide range of sectors and supporting local business owners in identifying and achieving ambitious outcomes.

“My role is to advise and facilitate positive change for local business owners whether that’s through coaching leadership teams, writing business strategies, restructuring operations or looking at cost reductions. Small businesses are the backbone of British industry and I anticipate, with my support and the expertise of the TAB franchise behind me, Hillingdon’s already thriving SME community will achieve even greater success.”

TAB is the world’s largest franchise system providing peer advisory boards and business coaching to business owners. The company works with hundreds of SME members across the UK, from sectors ranging from logistics, to manufacturing and marketing. The franchise launched three new territories in 2023 with Irena’s successful January launch setting the tone for 2024.

“We are delighted to have started 2024 with the opening of Irena’s new territory,” commented Mags Fuller, Co-Owner and Financial Director of TAB UK. “Irena exemplifies what makes a perfect TAB franchisee – commercial experience, great people skills and a real drive to support SME owners

in elevating their businesses. We have every confidence that Irena’s territory will be hugely successful and are excited to see the impact she has in Hillingdon.”

TAB franchisee opportunities are currently open across the UK and are ideally suited to those with a background in business. TAB is seeking professionals including consultants, coaches, business owners and senior employees who are looking to combine a passion for business with the drive to help others to succeed.

TAB franchisees enjoy incredible flexibility and independence with unparalleled training and support. As a business service, a TAB franchise has very little overheads and many franchisees choose to work from home. TAB even takes care of the accounting so franchisees can enjoy a better work/life balance.