Reverse mentoring programme
03 December 2025A cross-company programme that fosters understanding of what great inclusion looks like.
A free cross-company programme that fosters understanding of what great inclusion looks like.
Our ambition is to create a more inclusive industry by supporting companies to drive positive cultural change.
By working together, we can create a more inclusive workforce, impacting the lives of the millions of people working in our industry.
Through this mentoring programme, we are creating a safe and collaborative space for leaders (mentees) to hear the lived-in experiences of those from under-represented groups (reverse mentors).
This will help build knowledge and understanding of what great inclusion looks like and gives leaders the confidence to take action.
Benefits of reverse mentoring
The reverse mentoring programme will:
Create the opportunity for the mentee (senior leader) to hear diverse perspectives, to generate better awareness and understanding of inclusion and to ultimately inspire action within their own organisations.
Create the opportunity for under-represented groups (reverse mentor) to share their views on inclusion and build a senior network.
Connect people across different companies and help build cross-industry networks.
How does it work?
Mentoring partnerships are made up of two individuals from different, non-competing companies across the food and consumer goods industry.
Reverse mentoring partnerships comprise:
A mentee – a senior person who can impact the business culture (typically Director, General Manager, Head of level). Someone looking to broaden their understanding of inclusion and who wants to be part of leading change in our industry.
A reverse mentor from an under-represented background who would benefit from the opportunity to grow an external network and support a mentee to broaden their knowledge and understanding of inclusion. Someone who wants to be part of leading change in our industry.
What is the time commitment?
Participants will need to commit 5 hours over a 3–4-month period, as follows:
Virtual welcome event (1 hour)
Mentoring sessions (3 hours)
Drop-in sessions (optional)
Virtual wrap up event (1 hour)
Next intakes
Intake one: 4 February - 29 May, survey deadline 21 January 2026
Intake two: 8 April - 8 July, survey deadline 25 March 2026
Intake three: 3 June - 9 September, survey deadline 20 May 2026
Intake four: 7 October - 13 January, survey deadline 23 September 2026