Why workplace mentoring programmes fail and how to design one people actually have time for
Mentoring doesn’t usually fail because people don’t believe in it. It fails because nobody has time. In the Association of Business Mentors Unlocking Impact research, 47% of HR and People Directors cited lack of time and availability as the biggest barrier to successful workplace mentoring and coaching. That should be a red flag for any organisation investing […]
My mentoring journey: why I joined the ABM board
There is a saying in mentoring circles that people become mentors for one of two reasons. Either they had an exceptional mentor themselves, someone who believed in them, steered them, and helped them see what they were capable of. Or they didn’t, and they know exactly what that absence cost them. I am firmly in […]
What is mentor accreditation and why does it matter?
Mentor accreditation can sound a bit dry at first. A badge. A process. Another professional hoop to jump through. In practice, it is much more useful than that. Accreditation is how a mentor shows they can do the work to a recognised standard. It gives clients, businesses and mentees a reason to trust the person […]
ABM Chair – My mentoring journey through business life
I’m not sure when I first experienced mentoring. When I reflect, I’m not sure it was called that back then. I have been incredibly fortunate in my business life to have had, at all stages, supportive people around me who I have been able to turn to for support and guidance. These people were my […]
Why professional standards matter in business mentoring
Business mentoring is a growing and increasingly valued profession, playing a powerful role in helping leaders, teams and organisations develop and thrive. But unlike many established professions, mentoring is not formally regulated. That means anyone can call themselves a mentor, regardless of training, experience or ethical grounding. For clients, organisations and the wider profession, that creates risk. At the […]
Celebrating excellence in business mentoring: ABM and the National Mentoring Matters Awards 2026
The National Mentoring Matters Awards 2026 will take place on Thursday 12 March in the City of London, bringing together mentors, business leaders and programme partners to celebrate outstanding achievement across the Help to Grow: Management Course. The Government’s flag ship business support programme. We are incredibly proud to have been one of the delivery partners on […]
My journey into business mentoring – and why ILM qualifications matter
My journey into business mentoring has been shaped not just by experience, but by the impact of ILM qualifications on my professional development. My route wasn’t linear, and that’s exactly why I care so deeply about doing it well. I spent many years working in HR, often informally coaching line managers and board members through complex […]
Why professional business mentoring matters for business leaders
Running a business can sometimes feel like being on a tightrope—balancing strategy, people, and your own ideas, all while trying not to wobble. That’s why professional business mentoring is such a game-changer. It’s not just about giving advice; it’s about helping people see clearly, build confidence, and actually follow through on the plans that will make their business thrive. One of the biggest benefits […]
How ABM MPower award winner Sean Masters creates real business impact
In this episode of the ABM Podcast: Game Changer – The Impact of Mentoring, Kerrie Dorman sits down with Sean Masters, winner of the inaugural ABM MPower Award, to explore the real moments where mentoring creates lasting business impact. Sean shares his mentoring philosophy, rooted in simplicity, clarity, and confident action. Drawing on his background in marketing, SaaS, […]
The human engine: how business mentoring fuels UK business success
Professional business mentoring is often framed in terms of spreadsheets and KPIs, but its true, transformative power lies in the human engine of a business. For UK businesses facing constant change and pressure, business mentoring delivers an impact that is deep, emotional, and profoundly practical. It moves far beyond simple advice, evolving into a crucial […]
