THE Alternative Board (TAB), the Harrogate-based peer support and business coaching organisation, is launching a new operation in York, which will be run by former Nestlé executive Ed Reid.

Mr Reid originally worked for British Steel before entering the food and drinks industry, where he was employed in national account and field sales roles, first for Guinness/Diageo and then Nestlé in York. After completing his executive MBA, he moved to printed point-of-sale specialist Simpson Group as marketing and sales director.

Paul Dickinson, managing director of TAB UK, said: “This is a very exciting development. Small to medium enterprise owners in York now have access to a major new resource to help them through the current downturn. Through TAB, they can improve their decision-making and strategic planning by accessing valuable board level advice at an affordable price.”

Mr Reid said: “The Alternative Board format is very powerful because it combines hard-won practical experience with individual coaching and sophisticated online business analysis tools.

This access to multidisciplinary expertise makes the TAB model ideally suited to the current tough economic environment.

“We believe privatelyowned businesses that genuinely want to make better decisions will want to be part of this. As a first step, we suggest they attend our ‘taster’ board meetings.”

For more details about TAB, phone Mr Reid on 07850 970777 or email ereid@thealternativeboard.co.uk