A company which provides mentoring services to business owners is set to expand across the East Midlands.
It comes after Julian Smith, who has operated the Derby franchise of The Alternative Board (TAB) for a decade, decided to sell it to Max Crosby-Browne, who is now looking to expand the organisation to take in parts of Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.
From offices on Pride Park, Derby, The Alternative Board provides business owners and leaders with support from peer advisory boards and one-to-one coaching.
The boards are a chance for them to bounce off people in similar situations – away from the environment of their own companies.
They help them focus on what they are trying to achieve in their business life and outside it with an eye to improving corporate performance and achieving a better work-life balance.
Since it started, the Derby franchise has gone on to become the most successful TAB in the UK, mentoring scores of company owners.
Mr Crosby-Browne said: “I joined TAB three months ago when I set up TAB East Midlands Central and the logical step was to amalgamate it with the highly successful TAB Derby.
“Over the years, Julian has helped many business leaders fulfil their personal visions and now he has successfully moved towards his own by selling the franchise.
“However, he will remain a significant player in the expanded business and continue to be a facilitator of two of our peer boards.
“Meanwhile, joining me, Julian and Jimi Ball will be a new facilitator, Vicky Blissett, and we have plans to add two further partners in the next six months.
“We have significant interest from potential members in Derbyshire as well Beeston, Stapleford, Long Eaton, Castle Donington, Loughborough, Coalville, Ashby de la Zouch and surrounding areas.
“There are now eight peer boards operating in the area and we expect this to more than double in the next year.”
Mr Crosby-Browne previously had a 35-year career in management, most recently as chief executive of Home Decor GB.
He said: “We are all passionate about helping business owners who can often forsake their personal vision for putting their noses to the grindstone.
“We know how to give them the extra energy to focus both on their business and personal life because the success of both is reliant on each other.
“The Alternative Board offers a route to success which Julian has proven over a decade. I cannot wait to take up the baton and help even more people.”
Mr Smith said: “I am very proud of what we have achieved at TAB Derby but wanted to practise what I preached by securing a better work/life balance.
“I am delighted that Max has taken over because he has a genuine passion for helping business owners and has the knowledge to back it up.
“I am also very pleased to be continuing with TAB so I can pass on the experience I have gleaned over the years.”
