My Journey to Formentor
The Entrepreneurial Spark
I’ve long wanted to run my own business. That spark first ignited over twenty years ago during a chat with a manager, and although life took me down a more traditional corporate career path, the idea never completely faded. Fast-forward to 2017, and I could feel it building again—a sense of readiness and excitement for something new. By the end of that year, I decided it was finally time to act. I took the leap, leaving my job to launch my own company.
At the time, I had a rough idea of where I was headed, but as any business owner will tell you, reality takes you in all sorts of unexpected directions. That’s part of the adventure. The business has evolved so much since those early days, but the original drive—to provide real value for clients—has never changed.
Bootstrapping & Building
I decided to fund everything myself, which turned out to be more enjoyable than I expected. From day one, I invested in the right tools—CRM systems, video conferencing platforms, the essentials—to lay a solid foundation. But instead of feeling nervous, I was buzzing with excitement. I just got out there, met people, and soon enough, the work started coming in naturally.
Along the way, I’ve learnt so many lessons. One of the biggest? Trusting my instincts. It helps me focus on what really matters. I’ve also realised how important it is to stay grounded—not to get carried away by the highs or weighed down by the lows. The best decision I made was surrounding myself with the right people. Over time, I’ve been able to step back from much of the day-to-day project work and hand it over to my fantastic team, allowing me to focus on growing the business.
The Rebrand Decision
When first I started my business, choosing a name was the hardest part. I never felt fully connected to it, but it did the job while the business established itself. Last summer, I decided our website needed a refresh, and my mind was made up—it was the right time to go all-in and rebrand IBC.
Why now? Simply put, the old name didn’t reflect who we are and what we do. Back in 2018, I had one vision for the business, but fast-forward a few years and things had evolved—especially in data protection, cyber security, and ISO certification. I wanted a name that better represented the way we help clients navigate complex challenges.
Inspiration Behind Formentor
I’m a keen cyclist, and one of my favourite rides is out to the lighthouse at Cap de Formentor in Mallorca. There’s this special moment when you take the final turn and the lighthouse comes into view. Lighthouses help ships navigate tricky waters, and I saw a link to our work—helping businesses navigate the often tricky subjects of governance, risk, and compliance. That’s how Formentor was born.
Even once I had the name, I didn’t want the new logo to obviously represent a lighthouse, so I worked closely with a designer to find the right balance. After a few iterations, we landed on a final version that fits with Formentor’s story. One of my favourite aspects of the new design is the bright yellow “beam”, symbolising our role as a guiding light, helping our clients navigate the complexities of governance, risk, and compliance.
Challenges & Surprises
The rebrand process was both exciting and reaffirmed our mission. One thing I learnt? Start your trademark application early. Mine ended up delaying our launch a little. But my preference was to take our time and get it right rather than rush it. Looking back, I’m proud of how it all came together—from the logo design to our new website and services.
Expanding Our Services
With the rebrand, we’re introducing a range of new and expanded services. Cyber security, in particular, is an area where clients have been asking for deeper support, so we’ve introduced penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, and phishing simulations. We’ve also developed free compliance assessments so companies can quickly check where they stand and what needs improving.
One thing I’m especially excited about is our DIY Toolkits for businesses looking to achieve ISO Certification using their own resource at a more leisurely pace. These toolkits include templates, e-learning access for all employees, a step-by-step planner, gap analysis, and collaboration tools—supported by our AI-enabled Compliance Assistant, available 24/7. It’s a great option for those who prefer a more hands-on approach without the cost of a full consultancy team.
Looking Ahead
Ultimately, I hope this rebrand demonstrates our renewed commitment to helping clients achieve and maintain governance and compliance excellence, which often underpins their growth. At Formentor, we aim to be a trusted guide, providing the resources and expertise businesses need to flourish—without getting bogged down by regulations and admin.
We view governance and compliance as business enablers. Done right, they help you win more business, streamline operations, and earn lasting trust from clients and stakeholders. By laying a strong foundation, you position yourself for both immediate and long-term success—allowing you to focus on growing your business.
Reflections & Advice
On a personal level, this journey has been very rewarding. Hearing positive feedback on our name, logo, website, and overall direction has been a real shot in the arm. If I had one piece of advice for anyone considering a rebrand, it would be this: make it personal. Choose a name and identity that truly resonates with your story.
If you’d like to know more about Formentor or have any questions about data protection, cyber security, ISO certifications, or our new DIY Toolkits, I’d love to chat. You can:
Visit: formentor.co.uk
Email: info@formentor.co.uk
Call: 0330 223 4922
Book a Call: formentor.co.uk/bookacall
Thanks for reading and for being part of this journey. Here’s to many more exciting chapters!