When you want to grow your business fast, you need more than just support – you need business experts with competitive insights and tenacious drive for YOUR success.

In a bold move to shake up the audiobook industry, Michelle Dalton has chosen to invest in Xigxag, a rising British platform that blends clever technology with user‑centric design. Co‑founded by Kelli Fairbrother and Mark Chaplin, Xigxag aims to redefine how the UK listens to and reads electronic books – a genuine contender to take on Amazon’s Audible.

A Fresh Approach to Listening and Reading

Spotted by its founders observing a stagnation in audiobook innovation, Xigxag launched in 2019 (with operations ramping up in 2020) to challenge the status quo.

Kelli Fairbrother, former US Army officer turned McKinsey consultant and sustainable‑tech executive, teamed up with Mark Chaplin, a seasoned digital media technologist, to build a platform tailored to today’s listeners and readers alike.

Their goal: blend audiobook and e‑book into a seamless experience through their proprietary x‑book® format. Users can listen, read, view graphs and illustrations, search, lookup words, take notes, share quotes all within the app. In short, it’s an ebook and audiobook rolled into one, for the price of one.

Rewards Over Subscriptions

Perhaps the most striking divergence from Audible is Xigxag’s pay‑as‑you‑go, subscription‑free business model. There is no monthly fee; users simply buy what they want. But the more they listen/read the more they are rewarded! A loyalty‑based sliding‑scale pricing structure rewards continued use: starting from £7.99 per title at first, prices drop every five books, eventually falling to around £3.99 for avid listeners. This approach not only delivers cost savings but enables users to fully own their content.

Independent testing has validated its value. A Guardian commissioned review found Xigxag offered the lowest average price among UK platforms at approximately £7.68 per book.

Independent, Ethical and Human

Xigxag distinguishes itself as one of the few Certified B Corporations in the digital audiobook sector – a badge of ethical stewardship. It’s also earned recognition as an “Ethical Consumer Best Buy,” affirming commitments to sustainability and responsible business practice.

As an independent UK‑based platform (headquartered in Cornwall), Xigxag operates free from the gravitational pull of big tech conglomerates. That independence underpins not only its product design, but its customer service, which has been repeatedly praised as “fast, helpful, and human” in contrast to the faceless support of larger rivals.

Strategic Vision and Social Purpose

Kelli Fairbrother and Mark Chaplin share more than technological ambition – they are motivated by a broader social purpose. Their vision encompasses accessibility, sustainability and innovation in literacy. The platform aims to engage diverse audiences, including those who struggle with traditional reading, and to make books more sustainable via low‑carbon digital distribution platforms.

As proof of their ambition, they have built one of the most advanced digital content systems in publishing, automating quality and completeness across 90 % of titles and enabling publisher features like “First Listen” for digital proof distribution.

They are also the first company of its kind in the UK to accept National Book Tokens which can be redeemed directly on the Xigxag platform towards audio and Xbooks.

Betting on the Future of Books

Michelle Dalton’s backing of Xigxag is more than a financial investment – it signals confidence in a UK‑grown, female‑led team delivering genuine innovation. Against the backdrop of Amazon’s dominance, Xigxag stands out with its pioneering x‑book® technology, ethical credentials, flexible pay‑as‑you‑go pricing, and an independent spirit rooted in human‑centred design.

For listeners and readers seeking choice, fairness and a fresh take on digital books, Xigxag is not just an alternative, it is the future!

Will You Be Next?

Michelle and the Rockfine Group team are always exploring investment opportunities, both through the business and as individual investors.

Get in touch if you are exploring ways to Grow or Exit your business – our team is here to help.

Birmingham, UK – 4 July 2025 – Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter became the backdrop for an extraordinary fundraising event as BullRun12 – Peaky Bullers – brought together 90 runners for a cause close to many hearts. The event, coordinated by Rockfine Group team, successfully raised £7,375 for Kids’ Village, contributing to an impressive cumulative total of £118,000 across all BullRun events.

Kids Village is working to establish the UK’s first dedicated holiday village for children facing critical illnesses and their families, providing much-needed respite and support during challenging times.

“Putting the FUN into FUNdraising!  What a day we had yesterday on the Bull Run!”

A Tour Through Birmingham’s Best

The event took participants on a carefully curated journey through four beloved local establishments. Starting at Hotel Du Vin, runners received their distinctive red BullRun t-shirts, courtesy of Speed One Sports, who generously handled the design, printing, and donation of the event merchandise.

The second venue was The Jam House, and we snacked on crisps and chocolate en route. We weren’t the only ones handing out treats – BullRun sponsor React Energy were also sharing some of their branded merchandise! React Energy specialises in air conditioning systems alongside solar and renewable energy solutions.

The Rolling Mill served as the third stop, where participants enjoyed drinks while mingling and forming new connections, supported by primary sponsor Debrett’s, renowned for their expertise in British culture, social advancement, and corporate finance.

The tour concluded at Rose Villa Tavern, where attendees enjoyed a satisfying meal featuring hog roast and vegetarian options provided by Outback Hog Roasts. Our final sponsor, TAG Accountants, brought their expertise in taxation, business advisory services, and chartered accounting to support the event.

Community Spirit in Action

The success of BullRun12 demonstrates how community-driven events can effectively combine entertainment with meaningful charitable impact. The event’s continued growth reflects the dedication of participating venues, sponsors including Debrett’s, Speed One Sports, React Energy, Rockfine Group, and TAG Accountants, as well as every runner, donor, and volunteer who contributed to this year’s achievement.

BullRun is working to establish itself as more than just a fundraising initiative—it represents the power of community collaboration in creating positive change while building lasting connections among participants.

“Massive kudos to B.D. Dalton II and the lovely Michelle – what a fantastic community you’ve built.”

Here’s to many more miles, smiles and milestones ahead.

Birmingham, UK – 1 February 2025 – Rockfine Group is delighted to announce that we have been awarded the contract to develop the business plans for Birmingham City Council’s Ward End Park House project. This marks a significant milestone in the regeneration of this historic Grade II listed building, ensuring its long-term sustainability as a valuable community and commercial asset.

Ward End Park House is a landmark within East Birmingham, with a rich heritage and deep-rooted community significance. Birmingham City Council has committed to preserving and repurposing the building, supported by funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The project aims to transform the space into a thriving hub that serves both community needs and commercial opportunities, creating a sustainable future for this historic site.

Rockfine Group has a proven track record of delivering high-impact business strategies for both public and private sector projects. With extensive experience in urban regeneration, financial modelling, and stakeholder engagement, our team will design a robust business model that ensures the long-term viability of Ward End Park House.

The project team features Michelle Dalton, James Thomas, Adrian Holles and B.D. Dalton, along with the wider Rockfine Group team, bringing their strong track record of turning visionary concepts into actionable, sustainable plans. Practiced in the areas of public/private partnerships, CICs and community interest developments such as the renowned Royal William yard in Plymouth and community sports trust in Wolverhampton.

Collaborative Approach to Success

Recognising the importance of stakeholder collaboration, alongside governance partners Co-Operative Futures and Loconomy, Rockfine Group will engage with local businesses, community groups, and heritage experts to ensure the plans reflect the needs of the area. Leveraging existing research, feasibility studies, and community engagement outputs, our approach will maximise efficiency and deliver actionable, high-quality business strategies within the project’s ambitious timeline.

Michelle Dalton, Managing Director of Rockfine Group, commented:

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Birmingham City Council on such an important project. Ward End Park House has immense potential to become a vibrant centre for community and business activity, and we are committed to ensuring that our business plans pave the way for its long-term success.”

She also shared her enthusiasm for partnering with Co-Operative Futures, whose expertise is expected to enhance community engagement and support the development of effective governance models.

About Rockfine Group

Rockfine Group specialises in business strategy, operational growth, and financial planning, working with local authorities, SMEs, and large-scale public sector projects. Our expertise in developing commercially viable solutions ensures that heritage and regeneration projects, like Ward End Park House, achieve lasting impact.

For more information about this project and Rockfine Group’s work, please contact Niamh Smith on hello@rockfine.co.uk

New working pattern for our valued team

Rockfine Group, a leading force in business consultancy, is proud to announce the introduction of a 4-day working week for its dedicated team. Effective immediately, our employees will work four 7.5-hour days while being paid for five, as part of our ongoing commitment to their wellbeing and work-life balance.

As a company that thrives on delivering excellence, we believe that a balanced approach to work and life fuels creativity, productivity, and satisfaction. This initiative reflects our philosophy of fostering a “healthy minds, thriving results” culture, ensuring our team feels valued, supported, and energised.

Why a 4-Day Week?
The decision to transition to a 4-day working week aligns with Rockfine Group’s core values of prioritising employee welfare while maintaining our reputation for delivering exceptional service. By offering this benefit:

• A Culture of Value: We want our team to feel appreciated and empowered, knowing their contributions are pivotal to our success.

• Wellbeing Flourishes: Employees have an extra day to recharge, pursue personal interests, and spend quality time with loved ones.

• Enhanced Productivity: Research shows that a well-rested team works more efficiently, which translates into better outcomes for our clients.

“Our team is the heart of Rockfine Group, and we firmly believe that investing in their wellbeing pays dividends in creativity, collaboration, and commitment,” said Michelle Dalton, Managing Director of Rockfine Group. “The 4-day week is not just a perk; it’s a promise to value our people as much as the work they do.”

Rockfine Group invites others in the business community to consider how forward-thinking workplace practices can transform company culture and success.

About Rockfine Group
Rockfine Group helps business owners and managers take their enterprises to the next level. Through personalised coaching, strategic insights, and a strong emphasis on profitability, we empower leaders to achieve measurable results.

Business Insider Media article – November 2024

After 30 years of building her fashion business, Fen Dorre has sold up in a matter of weeks, with £3m cash in hand. However, in her early 50s, she’s not ready for retirement and wants to put her hard-earned experience as an owner-manager to good use, while protecting her new-found wealth. What should she do?