Social Impact

Reverse mentoring programme

9 October 2024

Our ambition is to create a more inclusive industry by supporting companies to drive positive cultural change.

By working together, we can create a more inclusive workforce, impacting the lives of the millions of people working in our industry.

Through this mentoring programme, we are creating a safe and collaborative space for leaders to hear the lived-in experiences of those from under-represented groups.

This will help build knowledge and understanding of what great inclusion looks like and gives leaders the confidence to take action.

Benefits of reverse mentoring

The reverse mentoring programme will:

Create the opportunity for the mentee to hear diverse perspectives, to generate better awareness and understanding of inclusion and to ultimately inspire action within their own organisations.
Create the opportunity for under-represented groups to share their views on inclusion and build a senior network.
Connect people across different companies and help build cross industry networks.

How does it work?

Mentoring partnerships are made up of two individuals from different, non-competing companies across the food and consumer goods industry.

Reverse mentoring partnerships comprise:

A mentee – a senior person who can impact the business culture (typically Director, General Manager, Head of level). Someone looking to broaden their understanding of inclusion and who wants to be part of leading change in our industry.
A reverse mentor from an under-represented background who would benefit from the opportunity to grow an external network and support a mentee to broaden their knowledge and understanding of inclusion. Someone who wants to be part of leading change in our industry.

What is the time commitment?

Participants will need to commit 5 hours over a 3–4-month period, as follows:

Virtual welcome event (1 hour)
Mentoring sessions (3 hours)
Drop-in sessions (optional)
Virtual wrap up event (1 hour)

When do you have intakes?

Intake one: 14 February - 8 May, survey deadline 31 January 2024
Intake two: 27 March - 26 June, survey deadline 28 February 2024
Intake three: 8 May - 31 July, survey deadline 3 July 2024
Intake four: 9 October - 9 January, survey deadline 25 Setember 2024

Next steps

Working in an HR or I&D team and think your company would like to take part in this programme?

Register via the form below and we will be in touch to arrange a call to share further details and support available to help you share this opportunity.

Taking part in the programme has been hugely positive, it has helped me better understand the reality faced by those who feel different in some way, and opened my eyes to how important it is that organisations create the right environment for people to be themselves. It has made me think more about how we create more forums for colleagues to connect and share, and how we might evolve our own colleague catalyst group to widen its reach.

Nigel Smith, Chief Strategy Officer, Greencore – Mentee 2021

I joined the scheme to seek to understand and learn more about D&I and what I could personally do to try and make a positive difference within Mondelez. The experience has been rich and rewarding. My connects with my mentor have been open, exploratory and true learning experiences, I have been given a new understanding of why some things are so important as well as gaining a completely new perspective on different areas.

Claire Low, Marketing Director – Chocolate, Mondelez – Mentee 2021

The reason why I wanted to take part in the pilot was because I wanted to give something back to an industry that has given me so much. Being a person of colour and faith, if I could share my experiences with Business Leaders to help pave a better and more inclusive and diverse culture within our industry, then that is a victory for me. I’ve really enjoyed the programme, we’ve had some really open and honest discussions, in a safe and secure environment. It’s been a great learning experience for both the mentor and myself.

Mohammed Shabir – Advanced Team Member, KP Snacks – Reverse Mentor 2021

I joined the programme as I’m passionate about helping business leaders and companies across the industry to improve diversity and inclusion. I always think that I can’t complain about it if I don’t do anything about it! It's been a great and eye-opening experience that’s allowed us to have open and honest conversations, challenging the day-to-day thinking from both sides.