In alignment with International Women’s Day, we proudly launched our BrightHer Mentoring programme this March. This initiative is dedicated to supporting our women in their career progression and enhancing their positions within our business.
The first BrightHer Mentoring programme paired 21 women with 21 mentors, who are committed to fostering their colleagues’ development. Our mentors include both women and men, all united in their goal to empower and uplift their mentees.
Benefits for Mentees:
- Career development
- Skill enhancement
- Networking opportunities
- Confidence building
- Goal setting
Benefits for Mentors:
- Leadership development
- Knowledge sharing
- Personal growth
- Networking opportunities
- Contribution to diversity
Running from March to November, the programme facilitates regular one-to-one sessions between mentees and mentors, ensuring continuous support and growth.
We are excited to see the positive impact this programme will have on our team and look forward to celebrating the achievements of our participants.
Some Statistics on Mentoring in the Workplace:
Mentoring Impact
- Mentored women are 27% more likely to receive a promotion than non-mentored counterparts (European Commission study, 2022)
- 67% of women cite lack of mentorship as a significant barrier to career advancement in European organisations (Women in Business survey, 2023)
- Companies with formal mentoring programs for women report 23% higher retention rates for female employees
Sectoral Differences
- Tech sector: Only 22% of women report having access to mentors (compared to 40% of men)
- Finance: Female mentorship programs have increased by 45% since 2020
- Academic institutions: 53% report formal mentoring initiatives for women
The Importance of Male Allies in Mentoring
- Organisations with male allies in mentorship programs see a 96% success rate in advancing women to leadership positions versus 75% in women-only mentoring programs (McKinsey & Company, 2023)
- Cross-gender mentoring relationships provide access to different networks, with studies showing women with male mentors gain access to 37% more professional connections
- Male executives who mentor women report increased awareness of workplace gender dynamics, with 82% indicating they’ve become more effective leaders overall
Our Company’s Approach to Inclusive Mentoring
By embracing both male and female mentors for women mentees, Bright demonstrates a commitment to:
- Providing diverse perspectives and expertise from mentors with different career experiences
- Breaking down organisational silos and challenging unconscious bias
- Creating a culture where gender equity is everyone’s responsibility, not just “women’s work”
- Ensuring women gain access to established networks where key decisions are often made
- Modeling collaborative leadership that values diverse contributions
This inclusive approach positions our mentorship program as a strategic business initiative rather than a diversity checkbox, driving measurable improvements in leadership development and retention.
