Amy Wellerman – Mentor of the Year

Amy Wellerman, from Lloyds Banking Group, is our joint winner for our Mentor of the Year award. She was nominated by not one but three of her mentees – a reflection of the profound impact she has had on their careers and confidence. Known for her bubbly, down-to-earth style, Amy combines honesty with encouragement, tailoring her guidance to each individual’s goals. Her approach goes far beyond traditional mentoring: from supporting mothers returning from maternity leave to creating shadowing opportunities, she equips her mentees with the tools, confidence and resilience to thrive. For Amy, mentoring is not just about progression – it’s about connection, growth and shared success.

Read on to find out more.

“I ensure my mentees feel seen and heard, and that they can clearly recognise my attentiveness and understanding of their needs.”

How does it feel to have won this year’s WIBF Award, and what does this recognition mean to you personally and professionally?

Hearing my name announced as Mentor of the Year was an incredibly surreal and humbling moment. I genuinely didn’t expect to win, especially among such an inspiring group of women in my category. Mentoring is something I’m deeply passionate about, it’s about creating strong foundations and empowering women, whether professionally or personally, to achieve their goals and thrive. Winning this award validated the positive impact I’ve had on colleagues and friends over the years, and it reinforced why I do what I do.

One of the most memorable parts of this experience was sharing the news with my eldest son the next morning. Seeing his face light up and hearing him say how proud he was of me was, without question, the greatest achievement of all. It reminded me that the work we do not only shapes careers but also inspires the next generation.

For me, this award is not the finish line, it’s the starting point. I’m committed to taking mentoring to the next level by ensuring accessible platforms for all colleagues, with a particular focus on supporting women who continue to face barriers to leadership roles. I’m currently working on an exciting project to launch a mentoring initiative across Lloyds Banking Group, with the support of my director. Watch this space, there’s so much more to come.

What was it like attending the awards ceremony in Birmingham, and were there any moments from the evening that particularly stood out for you?

The ceremony was an unforgettable celebration of talent, bringing together incredible women and men to honour success and achievement. It was a unique opportunity to connect with inspiring individuals I might never have met otherwise, and the atmosphere was truly electric. From the powerful performance by the choir to the thought-provoking keynote from an inspirational professor on AI, every moment was impactful and memorable.

The event was a testament to why being part of Women in Banking and Finance (WIBF) is so valuable, it’s not just an organisation, it’s a community that fosters growth, connection, and inspiration. I actively encourage my peers to get involved with WIBF and take advantage of the incredible events they host, because they truly offer something for everyone.

I’m already looking forward to next year’s celebration and the chance to applaud the 2026 winners. These events remind us why collaboration and recognition matter so much in driving progress across our industry.

You were nominated by three people for Mentor of the Year – what do you think it is about your approach that resonates most with the people you mentor?

Over the past three years of mentoring, I’ve not only supported the growth of others but also discovered a great deal about myself. This journey has helped shape the kind of mentor I aspire to be – one who is grounded, approachable, and genuinely invested in others’ success.

One of my strongest qualities is the ability to truly listen. I ensure my mentees feel seen and heard, and that they can clearly recognise my attentiveness and understanding of their needs. I’m a down-to-earth, bubbly, and straight-talking individual, which allows me to offer clear guidance, build relatable connections, and inject a sense of fun into the mentoring experience.

I firmly believe that enjoying what you do is essential—finding your passion is half the battle to achieving success. I bring openness, honesty, and a lot of encouragement to every conversation. By sharing my own development journey—including both the highs and the challenges—I help mentees see that growth isn’t linear, and that setbacks are part of the process.

This authentic approach has resonated strongly with my mentees. I’ve been able to build their confidence, encourage resilience, and celebrate their wins. I’m proud to share that three of the eight individuals I currently mentor have already achieved promotions this year—a testament to the power of consistent support, belief, and shared learning.

Your mentees wrote about how you tailor your advice to their individual goals. How do you balance being a guide while still encouraging them to find their own solutions?

Understanding each mentee’s unique needs and where they are in relation to their personal goals is key to striking the right balance between guidance and independence. My role as a mentor is not just to lead, but to empower – knowing when to step in and when to step back is fundamental to their growth.

Some mentees benefit from closer support – what I call “confidence-building hand-holding”—to help them gain clarity, direction, and belief in their own capabilities. For others, a lighter touch is more effective, allowing them space to explore and arrive at their own solutions. This balance is shaped by listening deeply to their career journeys, recognising their achievements, and understanding their aspirations.

I focus on building resilience and confidence, equipping my mentees with the tools to navigate both success and failure. Whether they’re celebrating a win or reflecting on a setback, I encourage thoughtful reflection—because every experience, good or bad, offers valuable lessons. My goal is to help them grow not just professionally, but personally, with the confidence to keep moving forward.

Through your experience as a mentor, what have you learned about yourself or your own leadership style?

Fair but firm” is a quote I live by. I’m deeply passionate about leadership and mentoring, and throughout my career in Economic Crime Prevention, I’ve had the opportunity to explore a variety of roles. Yet, I’ve always gravitated back to positions that involve people—because that’s where I thrive.

I excel in active listening, providing clear direction, and navigating difficult conversations with empathy and confidence. I believe that leadership isn’t just about celebrating success—it’s also about embracing failure as a powerful learning tool. Growth comes from reflection, and I encourage my mentees to see setbacks not as roadblocks, but as stepping stones.

Mentoring over the past three years has given me clarity in my own career journey. It’s helped me reconnect with my passion for supporting others, and in doing so, has guided me toward my next goal: a promotion within the next 12–18 months. While I’m here to support my mentees, the experience has also been a mirror—allowing me to reflect, evolve, and define my own next steps.

My leadership style is fair, firm, proactive, and rooted in open communication. I’ve also developed the ability to adapt and connect with individuals who may not have naturally aligned with my style in the past. This flexibility has strengthened my relationships and broadened my impact—both as a mentor and a leader.

“Becoming a parent isn’t a setback – it’s a transformation. It builds resilience, emotional intelligence, and perspective. For me, it’s a superpower.”

You’ve supported colleagues through moments of transition – from returning after maternity leave to exploring new roles. How do you create the kind of safe space where people feel able to take those steps?

I’m incredibly passionate about empowering others with the right tools – especially confidence – to help them reach their full potential, whether that’s securing a promotion, exploring new roles, or transitioning to a different company. This passion is especially close to my heart when supporting colleagues returning from maternity leave.

As a mother of two young children (aged 5 and 2), I understand first-hand how challenging that transition can be. When I returned to work just five months after having my youngest, I felt isolated, uncertain, and overwhelmed – despite knowing I was ready to take the next step in my career. That experience ignited a fire in me to ensure no colleague returning from maternity leave, long-term sickness, or moving into a new team ever feels unsupported or alone.

Motherhood has taught me more about myself than any job ever could—and I’ve channelled that nurturing, empathetic energy into my mentoring style. I actively listen, ask for real-life examples, and take time to understand where each mentee sits within their personal and professional goals. From there, I tailor my support to meet them where they are and help guide them forward.

I’m especially passionate about breaking down the outdated taboos around maternity leave being a barrier to career progression. Becoming a parent isn’t a setback—it’s a transformation. It builds resilience, emotional intelligence, and perspective. For me, it’s a superpower, and I’m committed to sharing that message with women across the organisation. Starting a family should be celebrated as part of your success story, not seen as a pause in your potential.

For someone who’s never considered being a mentor, what would you say they might gain, both professionally and personally, from supporting others in this way?

Everyone has something to teach, and something to learn. No matter where you are in your personal or professional journey, there’s always someone behind you looking up, inspired by your progress – and someone ahead, helping to light the way forward.

Without mentorship, development often becomes a matter of chance. While many organisations focus heavily on business growth, the real engine behind that growth is people. Becoming a mentor—or a mentee—nurtures that engine. It supports the development of colleagues, who are the heart and soul of any business.

I’ve had the privilege of experiencing both sides of the mentoring relationship. As a mentee, I gained confidence, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose. As a mentor, I’ve found deep fulfilment in helping others unlock their potential. Professionally, mentoring has helped me define the direction I want my career to take. Personally, it’s strengthened my ability to handle difficult situations, improved how I communicate with my young children, and helped me maintain a healthier balance between work and home life.

“Mentoring is not just a professional tool—it’s a life skill. It’s about connection, growth, and shared learning. And I truly believe that when we invest in each other, we all rise”.

Looking ahead, what role do you think mentoring should play in building the next generation of leaders in banking and financial services?

As the banking and financial services industry continues to evolve, so too must its leadership. Mentoring plays a critical role in bridging the gap between experience and ambition—helping future leaders build the confidence, resilience, and strategic thinking needed to thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.

Embedding mentoring into the culture of financial services shouldn’t be seen as a “nice-to-have”- it should be a strategic priority. Investing in people is investing in the future. When we nurture talent through mentoring, we create a ripple effect of growth, innovation, and inclusion across the organisation.

I’m passionate about sharing my experiences and encouraging others within my company to become mentors. By expanding our pool of mentors, we create more opportunities for colleagues to learn, grow, and realise their potential. Platforms like this, where we celebrate not only those shortlisted but every mentor who was nominated are essential in paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future.

Mentoring is more than a development tool; it’s a catalyst for cultural change. It empowers individuals, strengthens teams, and builds the kind of leadership that will carry our industry forward.