A YORK entrepreneur has taken over the UK franchise of a network which provides advice for business owners.

Ed Reid, who was already the owner of The Alternative Board (TAB) in York, has acquired the national franchise of the Harrogate-based company from Paul Dickinson, Jo Clarkson and Martin Allison.

TAB was started by Allen Fishman in the US 26 years ago. Having found his board of directors invaluable to him during his career he decided to set up something for small business owners.

TAB is now a network of advisory boards which uses fellow business owners as trusted advisors and peers. It has 3,500 members globally, with more than ten per cent of its members in the UK. The business runs monthly business owner advisory boards, undertakes one-to-one coaching sessions and offers members access to its worldwide community.

Mr Reid has owned the TAB York franchise for the last seven years working with more than 80 local business owners to help them take more control of their business and grow their sales and profitability.

He has joined forces with business partner Mags Fuller to take on the national franchise, with support from funders including Enterprise Ventures and Lloyds.

The UK business has 28 franchises in place with more than 350 active members, and has the goal of adding an additional 40 franchises over the next ten years. Its Yorkshire network has eight franchises and113 member businesses. The latter have sales totalling in excess of £675 million, are growing at an average rate of 15 per cent and employ more than 5,000 people.

Mr Reid, whose columns have appeared regularly in The Press business pages and who is now managing director of TAB UK, said: “Over the last seven years I have worked with and supported some brilliant business people in the York area. I wholeheartedly believe in the power of the TAB network and what it can do to help business owners realise and achieve the potential of their business and have a better personal life.” Mr Dickinson said: “It has been immensely fulfilling to grow the UK franchise from very small beginnings and TAB is now ready for its next phase of growth. Ed has been a very successful TAB franchise owner and is hugely respected through the UK and international communities; no one is better placed to lead the UK franchise through its next stage of development.” Business advisors for the deal included BHP Law and RedSky for the buyers, and Blacks Solicitors for the sellers.