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Applications are now open for the first of 2021’s intake of the Business Women Scotland Mentoring Programme.

It’s an exceptional opportunity for anyone either setting up in business or looking for advice to grow or head in a new direction. Crucially, it offers help at a time when women have been shown to be one of the groups worst affected economically by coronavirus.

Our mentors include Heather Matthews, managing director of Little’s Chauffeur Drive; Celia Tennant, chief executive of Inspiring Scotland; Yvonne Greeves, head of women in business at NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank and Danielle Kelly, director of strategic development at STV.

Launched last year when the economy was in turmoil, the Mentoring Programme aims to give women in business a helping hand with support on everything from following a career path to providing guidance, motivation, emotional support and role modelling. Together they can explore career goals, develop contacts and identify resources.

In the first Mentoring Programme in 2020, Ruth Jones, pictured, was matched with mentor David Cochrane, chief Executive of Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland (HIT).

The general manager of an Aberdeen nightclub, 32-year-old Ruth, who lives in Auchterhouse, near Dundee, decided to set up her own company while on furlough last year. Twisted Sisters Drinks is a mixed drinks brand, inspired by a love of cocktails, offering ready-to-drink cocktails and hard seltzers with great flavours. Currently in recipe development, Ruth hopes to start selling in April.

“I wanted a mentor because I knew it was important to surround myself with people who could advise on aspects of business I was not confident in, to allow me the best chance of success,” said Ruth. 

“The Business Women Scotland Mentoring Programme was the perfect opportunity to allow me to do this.

“David has been a great mentor - the experience has been invaluable, it has allowed me to receive constructive criticism on what I am doing and advice on what areas could benefit from help. 

“The contacts he provided have been extremely useful and the experience has given me the confidence to keep going.”

Lynne Kennedy MBE, founder of Business Women Scotland, said she wanted to set up the programme because she believes mentoring is one of the key strategies that can help to close the gender gap in leadership.

“Mentoring is a vital lever we can activate to advance more women in work, help them gain access to capital and economic opportunities they might otherwise miss and be better prepared for opportunities when they come,” she said.

“We need the support of each other at all levels. That’s what we’re here to offer.”

Applications are open at https://www.bws-members.co.uk/mentor-matching to members of Business Women Scotland and close at 5pm on 18 January.

To join Business Women Scotland, visit https://www.bws-members.co.uk/

Annual membership includes access to the Business Women Scotland community, with support and advice from exclusive online tutorials and webinars to training resources and a members’ forum.

ENDS

Notes to editors

The full list of mentors includes:

David Cochrane, chief executive of HIT Scotland

Dale MacPhee, general manager of Waldorf Astoria, Edinburgh – the Caledonian

Danielle Kelly, director of strategic development at STV

Yvonne Greeves, head of women in business at NatWest, the Royal Bank of Scotland & Ulster Bank

Celia Tennant, chief executive of Inspiring Scotland

Heather Matthews, managing director of Little’s Chauffeur Drive

June Walker, founder of Strathblair

Michelle Ferguson, director of Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company

Barbara Brown, founder of Positive Momentum

Yvonne Webb, owner of Engage & Grow

Leadership expert Fiona McNeill

Alan Morrison, founder of ASM Media & PR

Business Women Scotland is an organisation dedicated to helping women find support and networking opportunities to allow them to strengthen their business. As well as a bi-monthly digital magazine supporting women in business, Business Women Scotland also runs a series of live virtual events and awards to celebrate and empower women in business while tackling the gender gap in enterprise. Visit https://bwsltd.co.uk

For more information, please contact Angela McManus on angela@bwsltd.co.uk or call 07803 970312.