Our six months mentoring programme is back and we’re now recruiting for cohort 5.

Starting in September we’re looking to support 14 businesses (as a minimum) through our team of seven highly qualified and experienced business mentors.

Why work with a mentor?

There are a number of benefits to working with a mentor, not least having a confidential, sounding board who will offer impartial advice.

• Guidance from experience – mentors will share insights from their own journey, helping to avoid common pitfalls
• Skills development – help to identify and strengthen key skills relevant to your goals
• Growing your network – mentors often introduce you to valuable contacts
• Encouragement – a mentor can boost your confidence by validating your ideas and progress
• Keeping you accountable – regular check-ins help keep focus and commitment to goals
• Objective insights – mentors offer a fresh, unbiased view
• Constructive criticism – help you grow by pointing out areas for improvement in a supportive way
• Leadership – learning from a mentor can help you become a better leader

The full programme cost is £995 +VAT per business, with payment plans available. While there is a cost to the programme, the return on investment can be significant when mentoring leads to better decisions, increased revenue and faster growth.

Open to all businesses – any sector, any size, any stage. Cohort 4 has been supporting a range of businesses including a ballet school, a leadership coach, a construction company, an engineering services company, a global family business and a leading stone manufacturer.

“I have been working with Alec now for a few weeks, our sessions have been informative, given me a better understanding of my strengths and weaknesses already, and it’s nice to get an opinion and different perspective on things from someone outside the business.” Craig Nairn, Nairn Construction

'As a leadership coach myself, I genuinely believe we all need someone to challenge our thinking. No matter how experienced you are, it's easy to become too close to your own business.
Working with Ben has given me the space to step back from the day-to-day and think more strategically. Rather than telling me what to do, he's asked the right questions, challenged my assumptions and helped me find clarity in my own thinking.

Since working with Ben, I've gained greater clarity around where I can add the most value, challenged some of my own assumptions, and become more intentional about the decisions I'm making for both myself and my business.

I'd highly recommend the mentoring programme to anyone looking to invest in themselves as well as the future of their business.' Laura Cadman, Laura Cadman Limited

"Working with Paul has been genuinely helpful to me as a founder. His guidance is practical, grounded, and deeply supportive. Since joining the programme, I’ve gained clarity, confidence, and a stronger sense of direction in my business. Paul doesn’t just mentor – he empowers you to grow, make decisions boldly, and believe in your own capability. The change I’ve experienced has been remarkable." Lovelyn Odo

To apply for the programme email Lesley Robinson – lesleyr@cumbriachamber.co.uk with the following information:

• Confirmation you can commit to the six meetings, one a month September – February
• What you are looking to achieve by working with a mentor
• Your key objectives to achieve by February 2027

If you need further proof that mentoring really does work you can view video testimonials here