The Impact Mentoring Programme is a volunteer-led*, inclusive, cross‑sector initiative designed to accelerate gender balance in leadership by connecting experienced senior mentors — both women and men — with high‑potential professionals in mid‑to‑senior career stages.
We begin with women on the executive track, where the leadership gap to gender‑balanced organisations remains the most pronounced. Over time, the programme will welcome both men and women as mentees, broadening its reach while staying committed to inclusive leadership development.
At its core is a gender‑bilingual mentoring model. Each mentee undertakes two simultaneous one‑on‑one mentoring relationships — one with a female mentor and one with a male mentor. This unique structure delivers dual, complementary perspectives on leadership, career development, and organisational dynamics, enriching both the mentee experience and mentor learning in the process.
Mentees
Mentors
There are many aspects to achieving balance in business, but gender is the area where we can make the greatest immediate and visible difference. Supporting women in mid‑to‑senior positions has a multiplier effect: it increases representation at the top and creates visible role models and future mentors for others.
By engaging both men and women as mentors, we also give senior leaders the chance — through reverse mentoring — to gain deeper awareness of the challenges women face in leadership. These insights are shared and discussed at mentor‑only exchange events, helping mentors refine their own understanding of gender balance, equity, and organisational change.
Our ambition is to expand the Impact Mentoring Programme to include other career segments over time. Because we believe mentoring is only truly effective when designed around real challenges faced and clear development areas, each new track will be carefully tailored to ensure relevance and measurable impact.
The Impact Mentoring Programme will initially offer one core track:
Each mentee is matched with a male and a female mentor for two parallel, one‑on‑one mentoring relationships that run simultaneously throughout the programme.
Matching is managed through a data‑driven algorithm analysing more than 40 criteria — with greatest weight given to the specific challenges faced by each mentee — alongside career goals, leadership style, values, sector experience, and personal characteristics. This ensures powerful compatibility, alignment, and lasting impact for every participant.
A gender‑bilingual experience
Mentees learn from both male and female mentors in simultaneous one‑on‑one relationships, gaining broader, more balanced insight into leadership and organisational challenges.
Evidence‑based matching
A sophisticated algorithm evaluates over 40 dimensions — prioritising challenges faced — to deliver two distinct yet complementary mentoring journeys that accelerate growth and confidence.
Mutual learning and community
Mentors and mentees come from varied industries and geographies, creating rich cross‑pollination of ideas and building a strong community of leaders committed to equity, progress, and performance.
Reverse mentoring impact
Senior mentors deepen their understanding of gender inclusion and leadership evolution through active exchange and structured mentor‑only reflection events.
Progress toward gender‑balanced leadership thrives when both women and men contribute to the solution. The Impact Mentoring Programme creates that shared space — where two mentors, two perspectives, and two voices help one leader grow stronger.
These parallel mentoring journeys don’t just advance individual careers; they build more inclusive, collaborative, and high‑performing leadership cultures across business and society.
Join the programme – find out more here
Follow upcoming communications for details on mentor profiles, application timelines, and programme milestones.
*Impact Mentoring is run by volunteers. The 12 mentoring sessions are offered pro bono by our mentor volunteers. The £500 fee is a contribution towards the running costs of the platform.
Looking to achieve your next career ambition?
Gain insight, guidance and support from senior leaders.
We welcome applications from women with at least 10 years’ professional experience,and either an MBA or equivalent qualification, or a strong proven track record.
Inspire the next generation of leaders
Build your network with fellow mentors
We welcome applications from senior leaders with an MBA or equivalent qualification and at least 15 years of post-qualification experience.
We also consider exceptional candidates of equivalent professional standing who have built distinguished leadership careers.
Platinum
Founding Partner
Once you register you will be sent a confirmation email.
We will get in touch as soon as our upcoming events go live.
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Looking for a job during the pandemic
Keith Kruger, KpK Associates, Expertise in assessing and developing Management Skills
Wednesday 29 July, 12pm (noon)
Once you register you will be sent a confirmation email. Please check your email before trying to apply again! Thank you.
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Once you register you will be sent a confirmation email. Please check your email before trying to apply again! Thank you.
