Launched as part of Peel Hunt’s commitment to career development and cross-functional collaboration, the mentor programme has quickly become a valued initiative across the firm. With 28 mentor-mentee pairings in its inaugural cohort, the programme was designed to foster professional growth, build internal networks, and encourage knowledge-sharing across departments.
Programme Structure
The programme is intentionally flexible, allowing participants to shape their experience based on individual goals and availability. Mentors and mentees are encouraged to meet on their own terms - whether regularly scheduled or organically, depending on what’s most useful. Training sessions were delivered by the People team to help participants get the most out of the experience.
Impact and Outcomes
The programme has had a tangible impact on participants. Mentees reported increased self-awareness, stronger decision-making skills, and a deeper appreciation for the firm’s structure and culture. Mentors, in turn, gained fresh perspectives and a renewed sense of purpose in supporting others’ development.
Looking Ahead
The mentor programme remains open on a rolling basis, allowing new joiners to participate throughout the year. Plans are in place to rotate members over time, ensuring continued engagement and fresh perspectives. The People team will continue to support the initiative and share reminders to encourage participation.
The mentor programme has been a meaningful opportunity to give back, foster cross-firm connections, and support the growth of talented individuals.
Mentor
Having had an excellent mentor earlier in my career, I knew how valuable an impartial, interested mentor could be. My mentor encouraged me to think critically about my career with challenging questions that often forced me to re-evaluate the status quo. This inspired me to become a mentor at Peel Hunt, where I aimed to help individuals manage their careers and achieve their goals.
The mentoring experience has been incredibly positive. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know my mentees, who are both impressive individuals. It has been fascinating to learn about their careers, plans, and motivations. Beyond personal connections, the program has also given me exposure to other areas of the firm that I wouldn’t normally engage with, broadening my understanding of the firm and its various roles.
At first, I had some reservations about whether the scope of the mentoring programme might limit what could realistically be achieved. However, I quickly came to appreciate the flexibility it offers. The structure is entirely adaptable, allowing each participant to shape the experience based on their own goals and availability. Whether someone wants regular sessions or more ad hoc support, the programme accommodates both approaches. I was fortunate to work with two mentees who were both highly engaged and proactive. Their enthusiasm made it easy to build momentum and make the most of the opportunity. We were able to tailor our conversations to what mattered most to them.
The mentoring process opened the door to invaluable conversations around career goals, aspirations, and personal fulfilment. These discussions created space for reflection and growth, and I hope they offered meaningful support to my mentees. even if in small ways. One challenge I faced was that, while I could understand my mentee’s role and ambitions, my guidance occasionally had to remain broad due to my limited direct experience in their specific areas. To ensure they still received relevant and practical insights, I connected them with contacts in my network who had deeper expertise in those fields. This not only enriched their mentoring experience but also helped them build new relationships and access more targeted advice.
In summary, the mentor programme has been a meaningful opportunity to give back, foster cross-firm connections, and support the growth of talented individuals. It’s a two-way experience that not only benefits mentees but also offers mentors fresh perspectives and a deeper appreciation of the diverse talent across Peel Hunt.
My mentor played a pivotal role during my transition into the Investment Banking Department, offering thoughtful advice and ongoing support that helped me navigate the move and continue developing in my new role.
Mentee
I saw the mentoring programme as a fantastic opportunity to further my professional development and build my network within the firm. The idea of having a trusted sounding board for a wide range of questions or concerns, within a safe, confidential space, was especially appealing. I was also motivated by the chance to connect with someone outside of my immediate team and department, to gain a broader understanding of how different functions operate across the business.
Being a mentee has been fantastic. I’ve looked forward to every session and have gained valuable insights into both Peel Hunt and the wider industry, with many humorous anecdotes along the way! My mentor played a pivotal role during my transition into the Investment Banking Department, offering thoughtful advice and ongoing support that helped me navigate the move and continue developing in my new role.
Initially, I expected that, given my mentor’s seniority, our sessions might be brief or infrequent. In fact, the opposite was true. We meet every two weeks at my mentor’s suggestion, and the consistency of those sessions helped build a strong foundation of trust and openness. This relationship not only deepened my understanding of how the business operates but also highlighted the interconnectedness of different divisions, particularly the value and dynamics of working within IBD.
What stood out most was how approachable and down-to-earth my mentor was, despite their senior position. They immediately put me at ease, which allowed our conversations to flow naturally and honestly, covering a wide range of topics over the course of the programme.
To sum it up, being a mentee has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It has not only provided me with invaluable insights and guidance but also helped me build a strong professional network. The mentoring relationship fostered a supportive environment where I could freely discuss my aspirations and challenges, ultimately contributing to my personal and professional growth.
Throughout my career, mentoring has probably been the most impactful form of development, second only to learning Excel!
Mentee
I’ve always believed in the importance of continuous learning, and for me, having a mentor is a key part of growing as a professional. The mentoring programme offered a unique opportunity to carve out time for reflection, development, and honest conversation, something that can be hard to prioritise in the day-to-day.
My experience as a mentee has been entirely self-directed, which has made it especially valuable. We meet on my terms, with my agenda, and I chose to focus our sessions on developing softer skills, things like communication, influence, and navigating complex situations. I typically brought a real-life scenario or challenge to the table, and we’d explore different approaches together. It was incredibly helpful to hear alternative perspectives, consider implications I hadn’t thought of, and gain clarity on how to move forward.
Throughout my career, mentoring has probably been the most impactful form of development, second only to learning Excel! The ability to talk through challenges in a safe, supportive space has helped me build confidence and make more considered decisions.
That said, time is always a challenge. It’s easy for development to be pushed aside by the demands of the day job. For me, a recurring meeting doesn’t always work. I prefer a more organic approach, meeting when there’s something meaningful to discuss. This flexibility has made the experience feel more relevant and impactful.
Overall, being a mentee in the mentor programme has been a powerful and enriching experience. It’s given me space to reflect, grow, and gain new perspectives, all on my own terms. I’ve come away with greater self-awareness, stronger decision-making skills, and a deeper appreciation for the value of mentorship.
