Fiona Ibbetson

Who I help

“My inbox is out of control and I can’t see where the time goes.” That’s where a lot of my conversations start. A business owner has reached the point where admin and internal processes are eating into the work they actually want to do, and they’re looking for a way to hand some of it over.

Sometimes the need is big and joined up. A long-standing design client came to me this spring wanting a full rebrand, a new website and help setting up a podcast. Three different people from the Get Ahead team delivered it, each doing the part they do best. An IT company started with our telephone answering service in 2023 and now has a team of five virtual experts covering admin, business development, LinkedIn and email marketing, project management, and support in getting CPD certification for a new cyber security training module.

Increasingly I work with directors and senior leaders. One commercial manager had been relying on a colleague in the marketing team to manage his diary, and he was missing appointments and personal occasions. We now support him both professionally and personally, so he can concentrate on winning new business.

I work with business owners across Leeds, York, Harrogate and the rest of Yorkshire, finding them the right virtual assistant or specialist from our team. I currently look after more than 30 active clients, from sole traders to multi-million-pound organisations. If you’re a leader who wants to spend your time on strategy and growth rather than administration, I’d like to hear from you.

My background

I spent 20 years in senior management in the fresh supply chain sector. It gave me strong commercial awareness, solid stakeholder management experience and a sharp eye for operational efficiency. I learned how small process improvements add up to real performance gains, and how important it is to protect leadership capacity as an organisation grows.

In 2018 I wanted more flexibility around my family, who were moving up to secondary school. I was working full-time hours over four days and wasn’t there when they left for school or came home. I had always wanted to work for myself but wasn’t sure what that would look like. Then I went to Flexpo in Birmingham and found Get Ahead. I loved that I could help local businesses without being limited by my own skills or hours.

Building strong relationships shaped my career, and it’s what I’ve taken into building my business here.

How I work with clients

I start with a conversation about your pain points and goals. I ask what success would look like if you outsourced.

Then I work out which roles need filling and use our Skills Base to identify who has the right skills for each one. I speak to the strongest candidates to check the role suits them, and I send you the bios of two people for each role, so you choose who you want to work with. After that I stay involved to make sure standards stay high, and the support can change as your business does.

My Region

I cover Yorkshire, including Leeds, York, Harrogate, Sheffield, Wakefield, Bradford and Hull. I host Get Connected in Leeds, and I’m a regular at the Business Catalyst Club, Yorkshire Ladies Links (recent sessions have been at the Pavilions of Harrogate and Wetherby Racecourse) and We Are Wakefield’s First Friday sessions, as well as the Wakefield Expo.

What I enjoy most is keeping existing connections going and introducing people who can help each other. Local collaboration is what sets Yorkshire business apart, and I find the same in every town.

Outside of work

I enjoy getting out for walks, though if you see me they’re definitely power walks, and my Strava often records them as runs. I’ve recently taken up Reformer Pilates and have become a bit addicted. I hate missing a class. Mostly, though, it’s about time with family and friends, cooking at home and going out.

Frequently asked questions

If your business could benefit from support, or you’d like to find your nearest Get Ahead Region, get in touch on 07496 535719 or fiona@getaheadva.com. We pride ourselves on being the staff you don’t see, but the difference you do.