business
10 In 10: Jonathan Cooper
Jonathan Cooper is the Founder and Director of The Director’s Helpline and The Director’s Choice. He is the latest regional business professional in the hot seat as
The p.ublished group of online newspapers gives him just 10 minutes to answer our 10 burning questions.
What does a typical working day for you involve?
Alongside managing the day-to-day running of the company, I also have a hands-on role in supporting UK SME directors who are facing pressurised financial circumstances – helping them to assess all their options and implications before speaking to an insolvency practitioner.
Over 600 directors use our helpline each month, looking for support across many topics, including HMRC debt, Bounce Back Loans, and Recovery Loans, through to business restructuring and company closure.
I’m also the Director of The Director’s Helpline’s sister company, The Director’s Choice, so every day is always busy and varied.
What makes your company special?
For SME business owners facing uncertain financial times, there isn’t much support or guidance available that educates, informs, and empowers them to make the best decision for their business. Insolvency is often presented as the only option, but it’s not always the case.
At The Director’s Helpline, our approach is different – we take the time to understand a business’s unique situation, and we help directors to find the best possible outcome. There isn’t another company in this space accredited by
Gov.uk, and we’re proud of our director-first approach.
Meanwhile, at The Director’s Choice, we specialise in helping directors to find and choose products and services for their company, everything from business funding and accountancy through to insurance, energy provision, and more.
There’s nothing like this available to directors nationally, so we’re proud to be the torchbearers in offering tailored, holistic support for business owners.
Do you dress up or down for work?
Our office environment is professional yet relaxed, so we go for a smart-casual dress code.
What piece of advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Bring your business vision to life sooner. If I could turn back the clock, I would open both companies 10 years earlier. There’s always been a huge demand for impartial, free advice, and the service we offer is often transformational for business owners.
What’s your favourite Yorkshire venue for an event or team away day?
While my businesses are based in Cheshire, we work with lots of SME directors across the UK, some of whom are in Yorkshire, so I know the region well. Therefore, I’d choose Headingly Cricket Ground.
How do you prefer to travel for business?
By car – it’s a great opportunity to listen to a podcast.
What’s your favourite place in Yorkshire to relax?
I have a young family and three dogs, and we love going on walks in the countryside, so it would have to be Harrogate.
Where is your favourite place to eat in Yorkshire, and what dish do you recommend?
I love a good pub. The food at Grantley Hall is always a winner.
What do you miss most about Yorkshire when you’re away?
While I don’t live in Yorkshire, the thing that always brings me back to visit is the countryside and the sport.
Do you have any business rules that you swear by?
In our field, we strive to make sensitive, often complex, issues easy to navigate, so we are always empathetic, never judgemental, and offer full disclosure and transparency.
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