The programme

FreshIdeas Events first Mentor Competition ran from September 2008 to May 2009 and gave women across London the opportunity to have some of the UK's most high profile and successful businesswomen work with them to help them achieve their goals.

Ten women were chosen and matched to one of the ten MAD (Make a Difference) women mentors who spent six months helping them achieve their goals.

The mentees received expert knowledge from leading businesswomen, such as Karen Hanton of toptable.co.uk and Karen Darby, founder of SimplySwitch.  Mentees had an initial meeting with their mentor to get an overview of their business or career objectives.  Thereafter mentors and mentees met at least once per month to discuss and review their objectives.  


At the conclusion of the programme on 21st May, the most successful partnership was announced at an event hosted by HSBC in their private bank in Mayfair.

The evening was a celebration of their achievements and London’s small business community turned out to show their support to these talented entrepreneurs.

Fran Currie, Chief Operating Officer, at Business Link in London and supporter of the programme said:

“Business Link in London is delighted to support this programme.  Now more than ever it is critical that London’s young entrepreneurs are supported to develop and grow their business.

These women learned from the best in the fields and I am highly impressed with the quality of all the entrepreneurs.” 

Let us know if you would like to take part in the next programme as a mentor or a mentee.



Mentors and mentees meet at BT Tower Ceremony - November 2008