The women behind Eximious Alliance 

Fran and Alison, co-founders of Eximious Alliance, have both travelled unique paths that led them to become influential female business owners. Their experiences highlight the evolution of women in the workplace and the consultancy landscape for female entrepreneurs. This has shaped their respective journeys as both professionals and individuals, and ignited their dedication to sharing their learning and empowering other women in leadership roles. 

So, what have the founders learned on their journey so far? 

“Don’t step back, step up!” Fran and Alison advise female business owners to find allies and work with like-minded individuals who will be your cheerleaders. Being intentional about the connections you make, the networks you move in, and the company you keep can be a great place to find support and draw on others’ learnings and experiences. Networking can open doors to new opportunities and provide valuable insights. 

“The important thing” says Alison “is to get out there, and get comfortable talking about your business. You never know where your next big connection is going to come from, but you can be certain it won’t happen if you stay home behind your desk, worrying that your pitch isn’t polished enough”.   

Alongside having a strong network, Fran and Alison believe that the importance of having confidence in yourself and your ideas, trusting your instincts, and being brave is actually what sets you apart. We know that women often lack confidence and underestimate their abilities, so it’s crucial to challenge, and overcome, that internal voice of doubt. Alison has benefited from the support of a great coach, as well as her husband, and, of course, Fran, who she says has a “huge amount of belief in what we each bring to the business”. 

Whilst belief in your vision is essential, entrepreneurship is a journey filled with highs and lows. Your confidence WILL take some knocks. Use your allies to help you stay resilient. And don’t be afraid to ask for feedback, from your clients and peers. Constructive criticism can help you improve and learn from setbacks, enabling you to grow your business and keep moving forward. 

Finally, don’t forget self-care. Balancing work and personal life is essential for long-term success. Make time for self-care to maintain your well-being and productivity. Fran and Alison like to blend this into their working lives by using walking meetings. Exercise, fresh air all helps with well-being with the added bonus that it also helps spark creative thinking, perfect for those sticky problems… win,win,win! 

But where did it all begin? 

Fran’s career began in HMRC and financial services before becoming a Quality Assurance Test Analyst at Engage Mutual Assurance. Her career evolved as she embraced a Business Analysis role, where she effectively bridged business needs with technical solutions, earning the nickname “Chief Translator”. She played a key role in mergers and acquisitions and her keen insights were invaluable for assessing project viability. With a wealth of experience Fran took the bold step to freelance as a consultant. This move allowed her to apply this hard-earned knowledge across various industries. As her client base grew, Fran began collaborating with other freelance consultants making valuable introductions…and so a seed was planted. 

Alison’s career path is equally inspiring and impressive. When she started her career as a mechanical engineering graduate, she did not expect to find her way into the NHS. Over time, she built her specialist knowledge in service improvement and discovered a deep passion for structured, creative problem-solving. Possessing these skills and a natural ability to ‘spot the gap’ meant she could identify the issues in these systems, but more importantly she had the ability to work collaboratively with clinical teams to creatively solve problems and close the gap.  After working at the NHS, she started a new chapter as a freelance consultant, sharing her skills and experience with different organisations and industries, including financial services. 

As outdoor enthusiasts it’s no surprise that Fran and Alison first crossed paths on a bike ride. Their shared passion for adventure soon led to professional collaboration, allowing them to introduce each other to new industries. As their friendship blossomed so did their professional relationship and so that seed began to grow. 

Navigating the business landscape 

Originally, four visionary women came together to establish Eximious Alliance, a consultancy built on a foundation of trust and mutual respect. Each founder brought unique strengths to the table, believing wholeheartedly in each other’s abilities. Their unwavering commitment to collaboration and excellence propelled Eximious Alliance to remarkable success, achieving six-figure revenues. But it was not an easy journey… 

Launching Eximious Alliance just a week before the first Covid lockdown in the UK was no mean feat. This sudden shift from in-person to virtual working presented unique challenges and opportunities. The team quickly adapted, helping organisations navigate the new landscape and expanding their reach to clients in Scotland, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, and Yorkshire. This transition allowed them to capitalise on the chance to work with a broader geographical area, turning a challenging situation into a growth opportunity. 

When Eximious Alliance was founded, the consulting and technology sectors were predominantly male-dominated. Whilst they both recognised the potential in this growing industry, they understood that diverse perspectives lead to creative and innovative solutions. So, they focused on assembling talent and experience from their networks, which coincidentally happened to be mostly female, without setting out to intentionally create a female-only business.  

“A blend of genders, cultures, geographical areas or industries is where the magic happens,” Fran says. At times it was a genuine exercise to step back and weigh up the brand’s intentions and then look to shape the resource pool around that. Alison highlights that “although some clients will comment on the fact that we are a female-founded organisation, It’s more important to us that we are offering a great service for our clients, and the feedback we get suggests we are hitting the mark there.”  

One client told us: “Eximious Alliance is different because they listen and have the client’s best interests at heart; they care.” Another highlighted “their ability to unpick some pretty complex systems, helping us to clearly see where the opportunities for improvement lie.”  

Since the first steps of Eximious Alliance as a business, there has been a noticeable shift towards supporting female business leaders in the UK and other countries. Numerous groups and networks aimed at female leaders have emerged and flourished, though challenges such as securing investment and being taken seriously remain a concern for some. A great article by HiBob on International Women’s Day in 2023 highlights many disparities in the UK. Despite the consulting space becoming more crowded, female-founded businesses are still in the minority. The Management Consultancies Association (MCA)  also noted that 40% of management consultants in the sector are women, and 20% are from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.  

A recent Scaling UK Regional FinTech report found that “Firms with female founders achieved over 30% more turnover growth than those with male only founders – yet only 16% of firms had a female founder”. The report concluded that gender diversity is a step to success: “Firms with one or more female founders outperform male-only founder teams.” 

What is it like to be part of an all-female-owned business? 

The all-female ownership of Eximious Alliance happened naturally, but as leaders, Fran and Alison have made it their priority to create a supportive and flexible work environment, which is appreciated by both male and female colleagues. Fran and Alison’s approach to running a successful business is to do so with empathy and kindness, even when making tough decisions and having difficult conversations. 

Their philosophy of flexibility and support has positively impacted everyone who has worked with them. Current and past associates  and employees, both male and female, have said what a difference Eximious Alliance’s philosophy has made to their lives.  

We interviewed several associates, one of whom had spent over two years with Eximious, and his feedback was: “Eximious stands out for its supportive and collaborative environment. It’s truly rewarding to work with such a dedicated team that not only aims to provide excellent service but also cares deeply for its associates.”  

Conclusion 

Fran and Alison’s journey with Eximious Alliance is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and the importance of diverse perspectives in driving innovation. Their story is not just about building a successful business but also about creating a supportive and inclusive environment that empowers everyone involved. Following the exit of two of the original founders, Fran and Alison continue to navigate the evolving landscape of consulting. Their commitment to excellence and their clients’ success remains unwavering as well as their dedication to fostering a culture of empathy, collaboration, and continuous improvement. This ensures that Eximious Alliance will continue to blossom and create a thriving consultancy poised for continued growth, inspiring future generations of female entrepreneurs.