An Introduction to the IIB

The Institute for Independent Business (IIB) is a not-for-profit research, training and accreditation organisation—it is not a consultancy! 

In 1984, the Institute for Independent British Business was established to support independent businesses.  To this end, in 1991, the Institute created the Consultancy Business Development Programme™ thus enabling IIB graduates to start and build their own successful consultancy practices by providing their specialist skills as practical advice that works™ to meet the needs of independent businesses.  Since 1995, as the Institute for Independent Business International, our graduates, living in over 40 countries, have been supporting independent businesses around the globe.

Research carried out by the Institute and supported by numerous other academic institutions has highlighted the lack of independent advice available to small to medium sized enterprises. Building, running and growing a business is very challenging and manager/owners often find themselves immersed in areas for which they do not have the right skills or resources. The Institute supports these business needs by selecting, training, accrediting and facilitating a growing network of graduates, who, globally, independently deliver the support needed by small to medium sized businesses.

Graduates of the Institute become members of the Community of accredited Associates, the IIB Alumni™, facilitated by the Institute, is operated by Associates for Associates. The Community is an incredible, exclusive resource of talent, specialist skills, information, contacts and support for independent businesses.

Nearly six thousand experienced executives from every type of business discipline have been trained by the Institute and have graduated from an IIB Residential Business School to advise and help small to medium sized businesses. Only accredited Associates (the IIB Alumni™) are qualified to provide the unique and highly successful IIB Business Support Programme™ to independent businesses.