How Did We Become Expert Business Advisors? Here is our story:
Independent Business Owners Support Services Ltd (iBoss) was set up by Peter Douglas, Phil Jones and John Landers who between them have a wide range of experience in most aspects required for running successful SME businesses. As can be seen from our CVs, between us we have had many successful roles in a wide range of industries. With the addition of our Interim Management Support service we offer far more than just business consultancy or Mentoring.
Our team are keen to share the benefit of their vast experience to help business owners achieve their ambitions.
iBoss has been set up specifically, as the name suggests, to provide business advice and support services to the owners of independent businesses. The aim is to help them plan and keep on the road to making their business successful.
All of us believe that in the unprecedented times facing SME businesses it is more important for SME business owners to spread their workload and sense check their direction of travel. iBoss can provide support covering most aspects required to run a successful business, far more than simple Business Mentoring! Where necessary, through our Interim Management Support we will take a ‘hands-on’ approach to supporting our clients.
Two Hours FREE Business Support & Help*
*No obligation, try us out and let us help with up to 2 hours free advice, support and help.
Interim Management Support
General Sales & Marketing
Implementing System Change, relocation etc.
Commercial Finance Brokering, Business Lending
Business Planning
Business Turnaround
Sale or Acquisition of Business
We Can Help In Many Ways...
Peter Douglas
Peter started his working life as an apprentice, which included doing a Degree in Business Studies.
He then spent 20+ years in Export Sales and Marketing, working for a number of major corporations in different industries.
He eventually decided to give up the globetrotting life, partly to spend more time with his young family. He and his wife bought a village Post Office in the heart of Gloucestershire which they ran successfully together and eventually moved to a larger one in a Northamptonshire village. Luckily they sold that PO just as the dreaded ‘Horizon’ system was being introduced, so missed the subsequent (and on-going) horrors!
Peter then spent time getting an education in commercial finance and set up Business Finance Services Ltd in 2002.
From this came the concept of iBOSS which was registered in 2019 and which he now runs with Phil & John.
Peter says “One of our greatest pleasures is to work with the owners/managers of startups or established SMEs, helping them to grow or to recover their strength. Not only do we give business advice but we are also prepared to get involved with our clients in a ‘Hands-on’ capacity, particularly through our Interim Management Support service.”
Phil Jones
Phil first gained experience of running SMEs as the owner of a number of Travel Agencies in the UK. He then made the move into the Sporting/Hospitality market. He was for a time Manager of the largest Hotel, Golf and Conference Centre in Europe, which he ran very successfully.
Eventually he became involved in a number of businesses, including:
- A healthy fast-food chain.
- The re-launching of a ferry company.
- A hotel in Devon.
- Senior Manager of Silverstone Racing Circuit.
- Management of a midlands golf course, where he was involved in the transformation from a company-owned club to a members-owned one.
Phil has the right level of experience, including working with large and small corporations and independently owned businesses, to provide management advice and guidance to the owners/managers of a wide range of startups and SME businesses.
John Landers
John started off training to be an accountant in professional practice after which he went into industry working in the motor trade initially in internal audit and then as a management accountant for a large motor retail group.
In 1981 he went into a client management role with a leading invoice finance company and after 2 years moved over to sales.
For the next 25 years plus John enjoyed a successful career in selling asset-based lending facilities for both bank and independent owned lenders.
In 2007 he moved to head up an internal finance brokerage in a national professional services firm and spent the next 12 years working with several professional firms raising funding facilities to support corporate finance and restructuring transactions.
Now focusing on interim management support and finance broking John also is occasionally called upon by lenders to independently review client situations.
John, like his fellow Directors, will only take on assignments where he believes they are deliverable and add value. He will always set out to provide each new opportunity with an honest appraisal of the challenges presented to him by SME business owners before agreeing to take on a new instruction.
We have for some time recognised that many SME owners are reluctant to confide with others over the challenges they face in business. As a result, they often end up not being able to see the ‘wood from the trees’. Whilst ordinary mentoring is all very well for some businesses, there are times when a more detailed knowledge of a business and its operations is needed. This in return often means that ‘hands on’ experience is needed which is where our Interim Management Support service is essential! In other words what we offer is far more than simple business mentoring!
The iBoss Team commit to only support businesses where they know they can add value. We will be very transparent and up front on how our support will be delivered. Our primary objective is to help you to grow your business.
So, whether you are looking for help in business planning, growth or even turnaround (rescue & recovery) the Team at iBOSS have the necessary knowledge and experience to support you and your business. We can give you the right answers.
This also means that our ‘Interim Management Support’ service is backed by years of experience. This, and the fact that we are prepared and able to take a ‘hands-on’ approach with projects, offers our SME clients an unparalleled & affordable level of support.