Posted:24-June-2026
From Corporate Leader to Award-Winning Franchisee: Dave McCartney's 15-Year TAB Success Story
Dave McCartney is one of TAB's longest-serving and most successful franchisees in the UK. For more than 15 years, he has helped business owners across Leeds build stronger companies, achieve better results, and create more rewarding lives. As TAB's Franchisee of the Year 2025 and a recipient of a Great British Franchisee Award, Dave shares his franchise journey, the key lessons he's learned along the way, and his advice for anyone considering franchise ownership.
- Name: Dave McCartney
- Location: Leeds
- Franchise: The Alternative Board – Leeds North
- Date launched the franchise: 2010
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you were doing prior to buying your The Alternative Board (TAB) franchise?
I joined TAB after a successful career in the food and chemical industries, holding senior leadership roles with businesses including Globe Food Ingredients, Nandi Proteins and Fiske Food Ingredients. Throughout my corporate career, I enjoyed helping businesses grow and solving commercial challenges, but I wanted greater control over my future and the opportunity to make a direct impact on other business owners.
Today, I use that experience to help SME owners improve their businesses through peer advisory boards and one-to-one coaching. I currently facilitate several TAB boards where business owners come together to share challenges, opportunities and insights, helping each other achieve better outcomes.
Can you also tell us about TAB?
I own and operate The Alternative Board (TAB) Leeds North. TAB provides business owners with a combination of peer advisory boards, coaching, strategic planning and accountability.
I was honoured to be named TAB UK Franchisee of the Year 2025. As one of the founding UK franchisees, I've spent more than 15 years building a thriving TAB community in Leeds and supporting hundreds of business owners on their growth journeys. What makes TAB unique is the power of bringing business owners together to learn from each other's experiences while providing professional coaching and support.
Why did you go down the franchise route? What made you choose your industry? And why TAB?
I was looking for a business that would allow me to leverage my commercial experience while giving me independence and flexibility. Franchising offered the best of both worlds. I could run my own business while benefiting from an established model, proven systems and ongoing support.
TAB stood out because it aligned perfectly with my passion for helping people and businesses succeed. The concept of peer advisory boards was incredibly powerful and something I genuinely believed could make a difference to business owners. More than 15 years later, I still believe that the TAB model changes lives and businesses for the better.
How did you raise the finance?
I funded the business through a combination of personal investment and careful financial planning. One of the attractions of TAB was that it did not require the significant capital investment often associated with other franchise opportunities. It allowed me to build the business steadily while managing risk effectively.
What training and support did you receive initially and ongoing?
The initial training gave me everything I needed to launch successfully, covering the TAB methodology, coaching skills, business development and board facilitation.
The support doesn't stop once you're up and running. Throughout my journey I've benefited from ongoing training, franchise conferences & events, mentoring, peer boards and the support of fellow franchisees. Even after 15 years, I'm still learning and developing through the TAB network.
How would you describe your day-to-day role as a TAB franchisee
No two days are ever the same, which is one of the things I enjoy most. My role involves facilitating peer advisory board meetings, coaching business owners one-to-one, helping members develop strategic plans with StratproTAB’s strategic programme for senior leadership teams, and supporting them through key business decisions.
I also spend time meeting prospective members, building relationships within the local business community and continuing to grow my franchise. Ultimately, my role is about helping business owners achieve more than they could on their own.
Provide information on challenges overcome as well as your key successes to date.
Like many business owners, navigating the challenges of economic uncertainty, changing markets and the impact of COVID required adaptability and resilience. Supporting members through those periods was both challenging and rewarding.
My proudest achievements include building a highly successful TAB franchise over the past 15 years, maintaining exceptionally strong member retention, winning TAB Franchisee of the Year on multiple occasions, and receiving the Great British Franchisee Award. However, the my greatest success is seeing members achieve their goals, whether that's growing their business, improving profitability, exiting successfully or creating a better work-life balance.
Has becoming a franchisee changed your life?
Absolutely. It has given me the opportunity to build a successful business that aligns with my values and allows me to make a meaningful difference every day.
I've gained the freedom to shape my own future while working with inspiring business owners. Seeing the impact that TAB has on members' businesses and lives is incredibly rewarding and has given me a real sense of purpose.
How do you achieve a work-life balance?
I try to practise what I encourage my members to do by planning effectively, setting priorities and being disciplined with my time. Running a TAB franchise offers flexibility, which allows me to balance work commitments with family, friends, personal interests and playing golf.
I also believe that having a strong network around you, both professionally and personally, is essential for maintaining perspective and balance.
Can you tell us why TAB is ideal for those looking for a scalable opportunity?
TAB is highly scalable because growth comes through building multiple advisory boards and expanding your member base. As your franchise develops, you can increase the number of boards you facilitate and broaden your reach within your territory. The TAB model allows you to bring other facilitators into your business to help business growth, and a number of my colleagues have done that.
How do you retain your best staff and keep morale high and productive?
Building a positive culture starts with treating people with respect, giving them responsibility and ensuring they understand how their contribution makes a difference. I believe in regular communication, celebrating achievements and creating an environment where people feel valued.
It’s vital to understand what motivate individual people as rRecognition doesn't always have to be financial. Often, acknowledging effort, providing development opportunities and involving people in the success of the business can be just as important.
Can you tell us about any community involvement?
Being actively involved in the Leeds business community is an important part of what I do. Over the years, I've built strong relationships with local businesses, professional advisers and organisations that support SME growth.
TAB itself creates a community where business owners can support one another, share experiences and contribute to the wider local economy. I enjoy connecting people, facilitating introductions and helping strengthen the business community across Yorkshire.
What is the most invaluable piece of advice you could give someone looking to buy their first franchise?
Do your due diligence thoroughly. Speak to as many existing franchisees as possible and understand exactly what the day-to-day reality of the business looks like.
Choose a franchise that aligns with your skills, values and interests rather than simply focusing on financial returns. The most successful franchisees are usually those who genuinely believe in the business they're building. And remember that although fantastic support may be provided by the franchisor, ultimately, it’s your own business to build and run.
In your opinion, what makes a successful franchisee?
A successful franchisee is coachable, resilient and willing to follow a proven system. They take ownership of their business while remaining open to learning and support.
Success also comes from consistency. The best franchisees are disciplined, proactive and committed to delivering value to their customers every day.
What are your plans for the future?
My focus remains on helping more business owners achieve their goals through TAB. I want to continue growing my membership community, developing future leaders and maintaining the high standards that have helped make my franchise successful.
Most importantly, I want to continue making a positive impact on the businesses and lives of the members I work with.
If you had to do it all again, what would you do differently?
Very little. The journey has taught me invaluable lessons and every challenge has contributed to where I am today.
If I could change one thing, it would probably be to back myself sooner and be even more ambitious in the early years. Experience has taught me that growth often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone and trusting the process.
Interested and want to know more about The Alternative Board?
The The Alternative Board basic profile outlines aspects of their franchise opportunity
