Candidates chosen for female mentoring scheme

The mentoring programme, called Athena, is a joint initiative from BT Sport, the British Institute of Innkeeping and Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers.

Only about 18% of staff at executive and main board level of major pubcos are female. It is hoped the combination of advice, support and guidance will enable the mentees to further their careers.

The year-long programme will see selected mentees paired with a personal mentor for a series of one-to-one sessions on pre-defined development areas.

Those taking part will be:

• Sophie Herbert — sales and marketing manager, Beds and Bars
• Helen Lees — managing director, findmypub.com
• Elizabeth Hawthornwaite — general manager, Elior UK
• Sarah Marshall — general manger, Yummy Pubs
• Gemma Placey — finance manager, Beds and Bars
• Alice Bowyer — executive chef, Bath Ales

Mentors supporting the programme include Suzanne Baker, commercial director at Stonegate; Stephen Gould, managing director of Everards Brewery; Chris Welham, chief executive of brewer Wadworth; and Ann Elliott, chief executive of sector PR agency Elliotts.

Herbert said: “I am absolutely thrilled about being selected for the Athena mentoring programme. The opportunity of tailored one-to-one mentoring will be invaluable for my career progression, and I know it will truly benefit my future.”

Marshall explained: “This is a fantastic opportunity and I hope to meet and exceed expectations with the end goal of transferring my newly learnt skills to my team and raising the incredible industry I am a part of.”

Bath Ales’ Bowyer said: “To be given advice and guidance from the mentors will be invaluable. There needs to be more women at the top of our of industry, I hope I can succeed in this scheme and create awareness about the imbalance we currently face.”

Emma Causer, BT commercial account director who developed the programme, said: “We had so many talented, passionate and driven women apply and our final group is representative of that.”