Mentoring vs coaching: understanding the difference and why both matter
Behind every successful organisation are people who feel developed, valued, and supported, and mentoring and coaching are two of the most effective ways to make that happen. Mentoring and coaching help unlock potential, build confidence, and create a culture of continuous learning. What sets mentoring and coaching apart? Effective mentoring and coaching are about connection and the power of connection. At their […]
2025 at the ABM – a look back
2025 has been a landmark year for the recognition of professional business mentoring. The profession now sits firmly at the heart of the UK’s business support landscape, reflected in the Government’s plans to strengthen support for the business community and its invitation to the ABM to co-chair the new National Business Mentoring Council. We’re proud […]
AI-focused SME mentoring surges 100% as new white paper charts the future of business mentoring
The Association of Business Mentors (ABM) has seen a doubling in the number of SME mentorships focusing on AI as a business challenge or opportunity, as owners and leaders seek guidance from professional business mentors on how they can leverage the technology. This finding comes as the organisation launches a new white paper – AI and the Future of Business Mentoring. The white paper examines how AI is reshaping […]
The key benefits of workplace mentoring and coaching
We see first-hand the transformative impact that mentoring and coaching have in the workplace. Structured mentoring support is now a critical driver of employee development, engagement, and organisational performance. From our own research and our members’ experiences, we know that when organisations invest in mentoring and coaching, the benefits reach far beyond individual growth. They […]
Representation matters: why founders need to see people like themselves
In this episode of Game Changer: The Impact of Mentoring, ABM sits down with pioneering entrepreneur Tamara Littleton, founder of The Social Element and co-founder of crisis simulation company Polpeo. Tamara shares her remarkable journey from launching a fully remote agency in 2002, long before remote working was the norm, to growing a global team of 300 […]
What impact does professional business mentoring deliver to businesses in the UK?
October was a month of celebrating business mentoring and a time for us to stop and reflect on why mentoring is so important to UK businesses. I should start with a full disclosure, I am a fellow of the Association of Business Mentors, so it would be surprising if this blog article was anything other than […]
Behind every growing business is a leader who chose to grow
Real stories of how mentoring transforms founders and their businesses Setting up and scaling a business is hard. Much harder than you think – and often quite lonely too. Hats off to the over 5 million small & medium business owners in the UK who have been brave to jump in! Many get started because […]
How business mentoring helped a Whitstable retailer boost profits by 17%
“Mentoring has transformed not only the way I run my shop, but also how I see myself as a leader.”– Lucy Eason, ABM mentee Running a busy high-street gift & lifestyle shop, George’s in Whitstable, is a dream come true for Lucy Eason, a second-generation business owner, whose father originally opened the shop. After taking over […]
Why workplace mentoring is the missing piece in your people strategy
Across sectors, HR and People leaders are rethinking their approach to talent development. The challenges are familiar: rising recruitment costs, skills shortages, disengaged managers, and increasingly complex expectations from employees. Traditional learning and development tools, while still important, are no longer enough on their own. So, what’s missing? For many organisations, the missing piece is structured […]
Creating a global movement: Chelsey Baker on the power of mentoring
Chelsey Baker, award-winning business mentor and founder of National Mentoring Day, joins ABM’s Kerrie Dorman to share the story behind what is now the world’s largest celebration of mentoring — and why she believes mentoring should be accessible to everyone, everywhere. In this inspiring conversation, Chelsey reveals how a government mentoring project led her to create […]
