Mentoring sessions are a confidential, safe space to discuss challenges with an impartial, experienced outsider. The CGIUKI mentoring programme launched in 2016. Since then, our mentors have supported many CGIUKI students and members in their careers.
Our mentors are all experienced governance professionals volunteering their time. They guide others in the sector through career decisions and challenges, personal development and building resilience.
What does the mentoring programme offer?
- Six one-hour sessions with a CGIUKI volunteer mentor taking place online, usually over a six to 12-month period
- All mentors are experienced CGIUKI members and have attended a one-day training course
- Get matched with a mentor based on what you tell us about yourself. It’s important that you have a good rapport with your mentor: if you don’t, we’ll find someone else for you.
Mentors will:
- Ask questions and make suggestions to help you work through challenges and see things differently
- Help you identify the outcome you want, the options you have and the actions you can take to help you achieve your goals
- Provide opportunities to review your progress, notice what you are learning and set new actions
- Provide bespoke continuing professional development
- Help you focus attention on a skill and consciously apply it until it becomes a habit
Mentors will not:
- Give you advice or tell you what to do: expect to be pushed by your mentor to find your own solutions.
"Our discussions were focused and fruitful and I was always challenged to achieve two to three goals before the next session. This meant I always made progress and ultimately achieved my goals."
Mentee feedback
Who can benefit from mentoring?
Any CGIUKI student or member based in the UK can use the mentoring programme – it's completely free of charge. If you’re based in Ireland, please get in touch so we can assess demand there.
You can use mentoring to help you meet any professional goals, including:
- Help establish yourself in a new role
- Develop soft skills
- Plan your career
- Work through leadership challenges
- Deal with difficult boardroom behaviours
Find a mentor
If you’re interested in getting mentoring, get in touch. You’ll be invited to a welcome meeting to find out more about the scheme, what to expect and what is expected of you. You'll also be able to ask any questions. If you want to go ahead, we’ll ask you to complete a short questionnaire to help us match you with a suitable mentor.
“I enjoy being able to help people develop. I have had some great managers who helped me but not everyone has that.”
John Davies, Governance Director at Beyond Governance, mentor since 2016
"I've developed people skills that have helped me as a manager and a leader”
Graham Lawrence, governance consultant, mentor since 2017
Become a mentor
If you’d like to use your experience as a governance professional to help others develop, please get in touch.
Being a mentor:
- Support fellow governance professionals
- Enhances your CV
- Helps you develop skills you can apply in your day job
- Provides an opportunity to give back Read the blog: ever thought about becoming a mentor?