THE GLOBAL LEADERSHIP Mentoring Programme
Our Global Leadership Mentoring Programme is now entering its second year. It is a Fellows-led initiative designed to give ambitious, proactive marketers access to short, focused leadership mentoring conversations with some of the most respected senior marketers in our community.
Who our Fellows are
Fellows of The Marketing Society are leaders who have achieved success in their fields and, importantly, use that success to make a difference in business, in society and within our community. Fellowship is invitation-only recognition, awarded to around 8% of our members in acknowledgment of their outstanding leadership, contribution and impact. They are change makers who lead with purpose, generosity and imagination. Fellowship represents the very best of marketing today: creative minds, brave voices and compassionate leaders who remind us that together we can achieve more than alone.
This programme is your opportunity to learn from this exceptional group of senior leaders. Fellows give their time voluntarily to support the current and next generation of marketing leaders - offering honest reflections, practical guidance and space to think.
Who this programme is for
It’s for marketers who are ready to reflect on their leadership, ask thoughtful questions and fully commit to the experience. It is not a recruitment opportunity or a pitching forum. It is a space for self-reflection, leadership development and meaningful professional growth.
Applications for the 2026 programme will open 12 January.
140 Mentees
140 Mentors
560 Sessions completed
MEET SOME OF OUR MENTORS
"For anyone considering the programme, without a doubt, I’d say go for it! I came away with clarity, perspective, and some valuable advice that will stay with me for a long time. And most of all, I left feeling moved by meeting four incredible people in our marketing community who genuinely want to see others grow"
Oliver Lester Senior Marketing Consultant, Brand Team, Direct Line Group
“Taking part in the mentoring programme was a rewarding experience, thanks to the calibre of mentors from across the globe each bringing something unique to the table. Every conversation brought a new perspective shaped by the mentor’s background, and the discussions naturally flowed far beyond the suggested themes.”
Shana Doherty Co-Founder at Louma
"The mentoring sessions have been fantastic. They’ve given me the opportunity to connect with senior marketing professionals outside of my immediate network, gaining fresh perspectives and valuable advice on work, career, and life. I’ve particularly appreciated the honesty and candour of my mentors, as well as the thoughtful mix of individuals that The Marketing Society connected me with – a great balance that made the conversations especially meaningful and impactful."
James Hacking
‘’It’s been invaluable to have the chance to connect with senior leaders outside my own workplace and gain fresh perspectives. Having access to several mentors has given me a wide range of insights, and one relationship in particular really resonated with my challenges. The practical, proactive feedback I’ve received has helped me tackle issues with far greater confidence. Overall, the programme has been completely transformative.’’
Ria McAdam European Marketing Manager, The Artisanal Spirits Company
"Each mentor really took the time to listen, gave me a lot of insightful advice and were very supportive. I have applied their advice to my role and I've had a noticeable boost in my confidence and feel more assured in my decisions. My mentors were top-notch industry experts and this program exceeded my expectations."
Nicole Cheng, Brand Guardian Manager British Business Bank
"It's been an absolutely incredible experience, and I can't thank the mentors enough for their time, feedback and sharing best practices. Their insights were truly helpful and have given me clarity on what I want and need to focus on next"
Maria Shcheglakova, Global Marketing Director Xperi Inc.
"Very helpful to get four sets of advice and perspectives. I really appreciate the mentors giving up their valuable time to help others succeed, and the offer from one for ongoing support"
Christian Turner Senior Customer marketing Manager, British Business Bank
"I found these sessions helpful and used them to focus in on different challenges/development areas. The Mentors were friendly, eager to offer advice and generally really supportive helping me work through things and in several instances, there have been some different ways of looking at things that have been lightbulb moments for me. I really valued the time they have given: their willingness, supportiveness and overall engagement was incredibly motivating."
Belle Scott, Senior Marketing Manager International, Savills
THE PROGRAMME
What this programme is
✔️ A focused leadership mentoring experience designed to help you reflect, reset and build confidence.
✔️ Three separate, hour-long conversations with three different Fellows, each offering a fresh perspective to help you think things through.
✔️ A supportive and confidential space for open discussion, practical insight and honest, human guidance.
✔️ A chance to explore your leadership challenges, questions or reflections without judgement.
✔️ A speed-mentoring style format: one meaningful hour with each mentor. Follow-ups are optional and at the discretion of both the mentor and mentee.
✔️ Completely free of charge – the only investment needed is your commitment to the process.
What this programme isn't
❌ It is not coaching. Sessions are driven by your questions rather than a structured coaching journey.
❌ It is not long-term mentoring. The core format is three individual one-hour sessions.
❌ It is not a recruitment route. Mentors cannot assist with job-seeking, introductions or CV review.
❌ It is not a pitching forum. Please do not share commercial proposals or seek business opportunities.
❌ Mentors will help you think as a leader, not act as technical experts. They can offer perspective, challenge and guidance, but not tactical marketing advice, platform-specific instruction, detailed problem-solving or specialist consultancy.
Making the experience great
To protect the experience for everyone:
We ask all mentees to respond promptly, prepare well and attend all three sessions. It ensures that mentor time is respected and that you get the most from the programme.
All conversations are confidential so you can speak openly.
Leadership themes you may want to explore
To help you get the most out of your mentoring conversations, here are some of the leadership themes that typically work well. These topics are broad enough for any senior leader to support, while giving you helpful direction when preparing your pre-brief.
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Managing upwards: influencing senior stakeholders, building trust and navigating expectations.
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Managing downwards and sideways: leading teams, working crossfunctionally and strengthening collaboration.
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Building highperforming teams: culture, clarity, motivation and accountability.
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Influence and impact: communicating with confidence, shaping decisions and adding value in the boardroom.
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Career reflection: understanding where you are in your leadership journey and exploring what might come next.
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Handling challenge: navigating pressure, complexity or conflict as a leader.
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Leading through change: managing transformation, shifts in direction or new responsibilities.
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Work/life balance: maintaining performance and boundaries in demanding leadership roles.
These themes are not exhaustive. You can bring any leadership question, challenge or point of reflection that feels meaningful to you.
THE PROGRAMME
How it works
1. You submit your self-nomination. Self-nomination ensures you are personally invested in the experience.
2. We review nominations. We look for clarity of intent, readiness and commitment to the process.
3. You are matched with three Fellows. Each Fellow brings different experiences and perspectives. Matching is based on leadership themes rather than job titles or sector.
4. You contact each mentor to schedule your sessions. Mentees are responsible for reaching out promptly and you must schedule and complete all three sessions.
5. You send a short pre-brief before each session. At least 48 hours before meeting your mentor, you will send 3–5 topics or questions and a short paragraph of context.
6. Your mentoring sessions take place (March to October). Sessions run virtually by default, with in-person meetings welcome where location allows. You can choose to do them close together or spread them out to allow more time for reflection.
7. Optional follow-up. Follow-ups are not expected. They are optional and agreed case by case between mentor and mentee.
8. We gather feedback. You will complete a short feedback form and you’re also encouraged to share reflections with your mentors directly.
Criteria
1. You must be a current Member of The Marketing Society.
You must hold an active membership at the time of being matched with mentors (March 2026).
2. You must self-nominate.
This programme is for individuals who are personally committed and ready to take ownership of their development. Self-nomination ensures genuine engagement.
3. You must commit to all three mentoring sessions.
With only 80 places across a community of over 3,000, each space is precious. Out of respect for the Fellows who give their time voluntarily - and the members who will not secure a place - if you are accepted, you are committing to scheduling and completing all three sessions.
4. You agree to respond promptly and prepare well.
You will be expected to contact mentors quickly, share a pre-brief ahead of each session and communicate clearly if anything changes. Respecting mentor time is essential.
5. You are open, reflective and ready to explore leadership.
This programme is for leaders who want to think, reflect and grow. It is not a place for pitching, job-seeking or commercial conversations.
Criteria (continued)
6. You understand the programme boundaries.
Mentors cannot offer recruitment support, introductions or CV advice. The focus is on leadership development.
7. You agree to confidentiality.
Everything discussed in your sessions must remain confidential. This protects both you and your mentors.
8. You are prepared to complete all required feedback.
A short reflection survey helps us learn what worked and strengthen future rounds of the programme
9. Fair access and company limits.
If the programme is oversubscribed, we may limit the number of successful nominations from any one company to ensure balanced access.
10. One-year participation gap.
If you have taken part in this programme in the past year, you will not be eligible in 2026. This helps ensure fairness and wider opportunity for others.
Access the Mentor and Mentee Guidelines
Read them here2026 Timeline
- 12 January – Nominations open
- 2 February – Nominations close
- 16 February – Successful applicants confirmed and contacted
- Late February – Matching takes place
- Early March – Mentor details shared with Mentees
- March to October – Mentoring sessions take place
- October – Programme feedback
OUR OTHER PEER TO PEER DEVELOPMENT INITATIVES
UAE SCHOLARSHIPS
Every year, Members based in the UAE are asked to mentor Scholars and University students. The Scholars have a dedicated year long program before they graduate. This programme is run by Global Director, Alasdair Hall-Jones, contact him directly for more information.
SCOTLAND PROGRAMME
Members based in Scotland can continue to sign up at any point throughout the year to become a mentee and/or mentor on a local level. Please reach out to the team for more information.
THE FAQS
Do I need to be a Member to apply?
Yes. You must hold an active The Marketing Society membership when the programme launches in March 2026.
Is the programme free?
Yes. It is completely free of charge for Members. Your only investment is your commitment to the process.
Who are the mentors?
All mentors are Fellows of The Marketing Society - senior, experienced marketing leaders who volunteer their time.
Can I choose my mentors?
No. Matching is based on leadership themes, seniority and practical fit. We cannot take mentor requests.
Can I skip or choose fewer mentors?
No. If you join the programme, you must contact and meet all three mentors. It ensures fairness and learning breadth.
What if I have an objection to one of my allocated mentors?
We put real care into matching, with a focus on leadership development. All Fellows are senior leaders who can support you on leadership themes, whatever your sector or background. We also do our best to avoid direct competitor conflicts, although we do not always have full visibility of every situation.
If you believe there is a genuine conflict of interest, please contact the Programme Lead, Stacey Telford-Grimmer ([email protected]) before reaching out to that mentor. While we are unlikely to be able to offer a replacement match (as all mentors are fully allocated), sharing the concern early means we can handle it sensitively and ensure no one’s time is wasted.
What if I’m very busy?
You must be confident that you can make time for three one-hour mentoring sessions (plus preparation and scheduling time) between March and October. Our Fellows give their time voluntarily and are incredibly busy senior leaders, so no-shows or repeated last-minute cancellations are taken seriously. Attendance will be monitored, and failure to complete all three sessions will affect your eligibility for future programmes.
What if I need to cancel?
Please avoid cancellations. If something urgent arises, inform your mentor as early as possible and reschedule promptly.
What should I prepare before my sessions?
You will send a short pre-brief at least 48 hours ahead of each meeting, including 3–5 topics or questions and a paragraph of context.
Is this coaching?
No. It is speed mentoring – practical, focused conversations driven by your questions, not a structured coaching journey.
Can I use this to find a new job?
No. Mentors cannot support with recruitment, introductions, CV advice or pitching. You may, however, reflect on your career direction.
Are follow-ups guaranteed?
No. Follow-ups are optional and agreed only if both you and the mentor feel they would be useful.
What if I took part last year?
You will not be eligible this year. This helps ensure access for more members.
What if my company wants to nominate several people?
The programme is self-nomination only. If heavily oversubscribed, we may limit the number of successful applicants from any single organisation.
How confidential are the conversations?
Fully confidential. Nothing discussed in your sessions is shared outside the room.
What topics can I cover with my mentor?
You can bring any topic connected to your leadership, your impact or your development as a marketing leader. Common themes include managing upwards, leading teams, influencing effectively, navigating challenge, building confidence, reflecting on your career direction and leading through change. Mentors cannot support with pitching, recruitment or technical consultancy, but they can offer honest perspective, practical advice and space to think.
We also encourage you to research your mentors’ backgrounds. You may choose to explore the same theme with all three to gain different perspectives, or bring a different topic to each mentor based on their experience. Both approaches work well – it’s your choice.
Who can I contact in case of questions?
Please contact the Programme Lead Stacey Telford-Grimmer at [email protected]
