How to become a business mentor in the UK
Most people do not set out to become a business mentor. They arrive there through experience: building businesses, leading teams, supporting colleagues and helping founders work through difficult decisions. Over time, many realise the part they value most is helping other people think more clearly and move forward with confidence. That experience matters, but if […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
