Share your expertise to strengthen the people profession
How you can help people from all backgrounds grow and progress as leaders in HR, Learning & Development, Organisational Development and all people professional roles
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Help another people professional reach their potential
We’re creating a more diverse people profession that reflects the communities we serve. And that means supporting people from all backgrounds to take on leadership roles in the profession. Who better to make this happen than the senior leaders in our community? People like you who are willing to share how you tackled the barriers and opportunities you faced.
As a senior HR director or chief people officer in the UK, we’ll connect you with a professional at Head of HR level or equivalent – a future HRD. You’ll work with your mentee – online and face-to-face – over 9-12 months, helping them discover their full leadership potential. Our well-established, impactful Aspiring HRD programme blends your mentoring support with online and group learning.
As a senior leader in HR, based in the UK, we’ll connect you with a professional at HR manager level or equivalent. You’ll mentor them through our Future People Leaders’ programme that blends 6-9 months of your support with online learning and group discussion.
Whatever your leadership level, you have the power to help a colleague in our community progress on their leadership journey. With your help, we can diversify and strengthen the people profession.
The AHRD programme offered what I exactly needed to get a HRD role – mentoring with an experienced HRD so I could see through their eyes; connection with fellow aspiring HRDs so we could jointly share our experiences, challenges, and succeses; and access to top notch research, insight into what it takes to navigate organisational dynamics at the director level.”
– Olukemi, Director of people and previous Aspiring HR Director mentee
Make the most of your expertise
We welcome senior people professional leaders as mentors for others taking their next steps into leadership. And we look for people who are ready to tackle barriers to progression within the profession.
What matters most is that you’re willing to help others in our community, especially those in under-represented groups.
You’ll listen and share your insights as they:
- Tackle the leadership demands at their level and above
- Anticipate and respond to organisational issues
- Find ways to maintain their work-life balance
- Manage the challenges of office politics
- Make the most of their qualifications, experiences and networks.
If this is you, we’ll provide the training to get you started, connect you with a mentee, and support you in making the most of your valuable expertise.
Get in touch to find out more
Looking for another way to get involved?
Help us make a bigger difference
Each year, more of our senior people professionals step up to support those joining and progressing in the profession. And with great results.
To date, over 45% of participants in our over-subscribed Aspiring HRD programme are from ethnic minorities. 15% have a disability (or prefer not to say).
Almost 45% have been promoted since joining the programme, many to HR director, chief people officer or assistant director roles. And our growing alumni of leaders support each other and mentor others. This means we can scale our work and expand its impact across the people profession.
Ready to sign up?
To apply to be a mentor please read and complete the forms below. Then send them, together with your current bio or short CV, to our Programme Lead, Leah De Silva.
Frequently asked questions
What can I gain from becoming a mentor or job search coach?
- A new challenge and the chance to give back to the people profession.
- Increased awareness of leadership demands, organisational trends and new issues.
- The satisfaction of using your expertise to help people overcome barriers to leadership.
- Opportunities to meet new people, broaden your network and gain new perspectives.
- High-level mentoring and coaching skills.
- Support for your Continual Professional Development (CPD).
What is the commitment?
- Engaging with a mentor/mentee over 9-12 months, including regular communication and meetings (virtually or face-to-face depending on local restrictions).
- Attending the online learning and sharing opportunities
- Sharing feedback, learning and outcomes with the CIPD Trust programme lead on an ongoing basis including suggestions for improvements.
What support is provided?
The CIPD Trust will be on hand to support you both through the process and will be capturing feedback, ideas and ways to improve throughout the process. The modules are structured but there will be plenty of opportunity for support forums and discussions throughout.
How can I apply?
To mentor aspiring HR Directors:
- Complete the simple mentor form and equal opportunities form.
- Send both with a copy of your most recent CV to Leah De Silva leah.desilva@cipd.co.uk
- You will be contacted by the team to confirm next steps.
To mentor future leaders in the people profession:
Email Leah De Silva leah.desilva@cipd.co.uk to express your interest in registering when the programme launches.
Any questions?
Send us your question, along with your contact details, and we’ll get back to you very soon.
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