WIBF | Mentoring

At WIBF we understand the value of investing in your development but appreciate that many of you have limited time resources. So, we want to make it straightforward for you all. We are proud to now offer a six-month mentoring programme to all members, providing access to some of the most talented professionals within the Financial Services industry.

Our mentoring programme accepts a monthly intake of mentees, so you may join the programme at any point during your membership with WIBF.

Research shows that quality mentorship is one of the most valuable and effective development opportunities available. The guidance, encouragement and support given by a trusted and experienced mentor can provide a mentee with a broad range of personal and professional benefits that ultimately lead to improved performance in the workplace.

Mentees

Jane Lister

WIBF mentee, 2021

“I wanted to be part of the WIBF mentoring scheme to get a perspective on development from outside “the office”, whilst considering my next career move and how to achieve it. My mentor helped me to focus on specific and deliverable actions to support my career goals, whilst also helping me to realise some of the strengths I already had that I could use to my advantage. The support I received gave me the courage to take a leap out of my comfort zone and into a different role in a new department. Big thanks to my WIBF mentor, and to the wider WIBF team for all the support and guidelines to ensure the matches are a success.”

Jane Lister

WIBF mentee, 2021

Reena Mistry

WIBF mentee, 2021

“Mentoring has given me the opportunity to figure out my long-term career goals and how to achieve them. It’s also made me challenge some self-beliefs and it’s been great to talk to someone more advanced in their career that may have faced similar challenges. More importantly, it helped me bring together quite a few things in a constructive way and has given me the confidence to attempt things I may not have done in the past. It’s been a fantastic experience, one I would recommend to others.”

Reena Mistry

WIBF mentee, 2021

If you are a member of WIBF and are interested in mentoring, please follow the link below to log in and fill in the application form.

Mentees are matched to senior mentors from the Financial Services industry and can seek career guidance, advice and support.

For mentees, some key benefits of business mentoring include:

Increased knowledge and exposure to new ideas and ways of thinking
Increased confidence and new advice on developing strengths and overcoming weaknesses
Development of personal skills
Wider professional network.

We know from our success with mentoring that discussions have centred around Career Progression, Interview and CV advice and Transferable Skills.

GUIDE TO BEING A MENTEE

Mentors

Linda Urquhart

WIBF mentee, 2021

“Thank you for the work you do on the programme. Sitting on the board of a Bank, we spend a lot of time talking about improving diversity and I think your scheme is an example of a programme which can make a meaningful contribution to change.”

Linda Urquhart

WIBF mentee, 2021

Jen Bjorkman

“I’ve had monthly meetings with my mentee for the last 6 months and it has gone really well. We’ll be continuing to meet going forward. It’s been very rewarding for both of us. Thanks for the opportunity.”

Jen Bjorkman

Karyn McIntosh

WIBF mentor, 2021

“My mentorship with Jen has been brilliant. I was initially quite nervous, but I think it was a great match and probably one of the most beneficial things from a professional standpoint I’ve done in a number of years.”

Karyn McIntosh

WIBF mentor, 2021

Euan McNair

WIBF mentor, 2021

“As a mentor the role focuses more on listening and asking key questions that get to the core area of focus and share experiences, solutions, and challenge thinking. Regardless of which side you sit on, the more you invest in the relationship, the more you get from it. I cannot recommend it highly enough and would encourage everyone to experience it.”

Euan McNair

WIBF mentor, 2021

Jacqui Mallin

WIBF mentor, 2021

“I have had a very varied career to date with a huge amount of learning and great mentoring relationships throughout, so I would love to be in a position to give some of that learning back.
I am a mum, a wife and a gran as well as a successful female leader who has lots to share with anyone who would value and benefit from my own personal journey - and of course I will no doubt learn from you too!
”

Jacqui Mallin

WIBF mentor, 2021

Frances Edwards

WIBF mentor, 2021

“Being a mentor for WIBF is a thoroughly rewarding experience. We are living in extremely uncertain times and the additional support of a personal mentor can be really useful to help mentees navigate these unprecedented circumstances.”

Frances Edwards

WIBF mentor, 2021

Charlie Clifton

WIBF mentor, 2021

“I am interested in the impact a mentor can have, be it in a professional or social context. Whether it is to share perspectives and trade ideas, operate as a sounding board, or simply be there for someone to ask the vulnerable question to, I passionately believe in the importance of a mentor and the power it can unlock in someone’s potential.”

Charlie Clifton

WIBF mentor, 2021

You do not need to be a WIBF member to become a mentor. If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please follow the link below to get involved.

We know from our longstanding successful mentoring programme that many mentors get as much out of the relationship as the mentee and find the relationship to be a
valuable tool for their development too.

For mentors, some benefits include:
Increased understanding of intergenerational challenges
Recognition as a subject matter expert and leader
Development of their own personal leadership and coaching styles
Growth of professional relationships.

Most mentors find great personal satisfaction through supporting the development of others.

GUIDE TO BEING A MENTOR