TAB York owners scoop national franchise award

29-October-2026

York franchisees Natalie and Elliot Rich have won a Great British Franchisee Award 2026, recognising their business growth, commitment to client service and the supportive business community they have built.

Elliot acquired The Alternative Board (TAB) York in 2017, with Natalie joining as co-owner in 2023 to expand the offering. Together, they have developed a business that brings local business owners and leaders together through confidential peer advisory boards, one-to-one coaching and strategic business planning.

Since its launch, TAB York has supported more than 90 business leaders. As the franchise approaches its tenth anniversary in March 2027, Natalie and Elliot continue to develop their services and strengthen their support for the SME community.

The judges recognised the franchise's strong business performance, including an 85 per cent increase in turnover over the past five years and record financial performance in 2025/26. Their joint focus on client service and business development was also key to the award, with the judges commenting:

“Their commitment to innovation, continually developing their services and combining their complementary skills has enabled them to build a trusted business that goes above and beyond to support its members. Their excellent client feedback and impressive retention rates are testament to the quality of the relationships they have established.”

TAB York helps business owners step back from the day-to-day demands of running a company, share experience with peers from different sectors and gain fresh perspectives on the challenges and opportunities they face. Members benefit from the collective experience of fellow business leaders alongside individual coaching and structured strategic planning.

Natalie and Elliot bring complementary experience to the business. Elliot's background includes an international corporate career with James Heal, a global leader in textile testing equipment, where he gained experience across sales, marketing, international business development, strategy and organisational growth. During his career, he also helped his former company secure the Queen's Award for Enterprise in International Trade.

Natalie brings extensive senior marketing and leadership experience gained with major brands including BMW, Boost Energy Drinks and Hallmark Cards. Since joining TAB York, she has helped expand the services available to members and develop the business further.

Together, they support business owners across a range of commercial and leadership challenges. Their membership spans sectors including accountancy, professional services, care, farming, manufacturing and hospitality, bringing a broad mix of experience and perspectives to the boardroom.

Natalie said: “We've worked hard to build a franchise where business leaders can support one another, develop valuable relationships and access opportunities they might not otherwise have had.

“Whether that's introducing members to new contacts, helping raise their profile or connecting them with specialist expertise, we want people to get real value from being part of TAB York. It's about building relationships that continue to make a difference to them and their businesses beyond the board meeting itself.”

Alongside developing their own franchise, Natalie and Elliot are active contributors to the wider TAB network, regularly sharing experience and ideas with fellow franchisees. Elliot previously chaired TAB UK's National Marketing Committee and was named TAB UK Franchisee of the Year in 2023. Their other accolades include repeated recognition for member fees, retention and community building.

For both, the value of the business extends beyond commercial performance to the impact it has on the people running the businesses they support.

Elliot said: “One of the most rewarding parts of owning a TAB franchise is seeing the impact that being part of a board can have, not just on the business but on the person running it. Running a business can be demanding and having a trusted group of people to share challenges with, question your thinking and help you see things differently can make a real difference.

“We're incredibly proud of the relationships we've built with our members and the wider business community. Winning this award means a great deal to us. As TAB York approaches its tenth anniversary, we're looking forward to building on what we've achieved and reaching more business owners who could benefit from what TAB offers.”

The award also highlights the opportunities available through the TAB franchise model. As more business leaders seek support to navigate commercial challenges and plan for growth, TAB franchisees help meet that need by facilitating peer advisory boards, providing coaching and guiding members towards better decisions.

With opportunities available across the UK, TAB is looking for people with strong business experience and a desire to help others succeed. Franchisees benefit from an established business model and a supportive wider network, while building their own businesses and making a meaningful contribution to their local SME communities.