The Alternative Board (TAB), the global franchise network specialising in peer advisory boards and executive coaching for business owners, has expanded its leadership capacity in Thames Valley, with the appointment of Maarten Jonckers as Senior Business Partner. His combination of corporate retail leadership, entrepreneurial experience and first‑hand peer board involvement places him as a strong strategic asset within TAB’s franchise system.
Maarten has built a long career in the retail sector, developing deep expertise in operations, buying and merchandising before culminating in a senior leadership role as Buying and Merchandising Director at Harrods. Building on that corporate grounding, he later established and led an executive search business focused on the retail industry, applying his service‑led and operationally informed approach to improve the quality and impact of leadership recruitment.
Born in the Netherlands and having worked internationally, including two years in South Africa, Maarten brings a global commercial perspective to the TAB network. Over the past decade, he has worked closely with smaller, privately owned businesses, supporting founders and leadership teams during periods of significant strategic and operational change. His rounded experience across business management, organisational development and transformation gives him a relatable and credible understanding of the challenges faced by SME owners.
Maarten’s appointment reflects TAB’s focus on strengthening franchise territories where SME density, growth ambition and operational complexity are particularly high. The Thames Valley remains one of the UK’s most active business regions, with strong representation from technology, professional services, logistics, manufacturing and innovation-led sectors. Maarten believes that this environment amplifies the need for TAB’s support model: “As businesses evolve, leaders often become more isolated. Their challenges become more complex, the stakes higher and the decisions more personal. Peer boards create a trusted, confidential space where business owners can gain perspective, test ideas and make better decisions faster. I am thrilled to be bringing that to the Thames Valley, a region full of ambitious businesses that will genuinely benefit from it. You can cut through the jungle with a machete, but if there is a path, why not take that? That is exactly what TAB provides for business owners: the path,” he said.
Within TAB’s franchise structure, Maarten will focus on enhancing member experience, strengthening operational delivery and expanding the reach of peer advisory boards across the region. His priorities include widening access to specialist expertise, deepening advisory networks and supporting leaders through the commercial and personal pressures that come with growth. His blend of corporate discipline and entrepreneurial empathy equips him to deliver consistent, high‑quality value, a key priority within successful franchise models.
David Abbott, who leads TAB in Thames Valley West, welcomed the appointment as a major development for the territory,“Maarten brings corporate precision, hands‑on business ownership and genuine insight into the realities of leadership. He understands the franchise value proposition and the importance of consistent delivery, strong culture and measurable local impact. His energy and integrity align perfectly with TAB’s ethos. Maarten’s appointment strengthens what we offer and supports the ongoing growth of this territory.”
Maarten is known for his people‑first leadership style and commitment to work–life balance. He is also a member of Buckingham Business First, which he sees as a valuable platform for connecting with and supporting the wider business community the franchise serves.
TAB operates globally as a franchise network, helping business owners and leaders make better decisions, achieve stronger results and build more fulfilling lives. Franchise partners deliver TAB’s proven peer board methodology locally, supported by comprehensive training, tools and global best practice. With Maarten joining the Thames Valley team, TAB is well positioned to deepen the impact and consistency of its franchise delivery across the region.
