At the closing event for the third year of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and Taylor Bennett Foundation’s Reverse Mentoring Programme, senior PR leaders from agencies and in-house teams reaffirmed their commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Their call to action comes at a time when some organisations, particularly in the US, are rolling back EDI initiatives.
The Reverse Mentoring Programme, pioneered by the CIPR’s Diversity and Inclusion Network, pairs senior PR leaders with Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) professionals, fostering meaningful conversations on race, inclusion, and allyship. The 10-month programme provides a platform for mentees to share their lived experiences, helping senior leaders build more inclusive workplaces and develop strategies that reflect the diversity of society.
At the closing event, held at Freud Communications, mentees and mentors reflected on the impact of their experiences. Mentees spoke to the relationships they had made and how this had informed their approach to inclusive cultures at their workplace.
This year’s programme saw industry-wide participation and included senior leaders from Headland, Teneo, Hope&Glory, Lloyds Banking Group, ICG, and the Ministry of Justice, underscoring the industry’s growing recognition of the importance of EDI. Applications for the fourth cohort of Mentors and Mentees for the Reverse Mentoring Programme are now open until 21st February 2025.
Inclusive talent strategies are fundamental to organisational success. While there’s a lot of noise and distraction around DEI at present, our commitment remains unwavering. Creating equal opportunities for diverse professionals and educating senior leaders has never been more important. The Reverse Mentoring Programme is a crucial part of our efforts to drive lasting cultural change in the industry.
Koray Camgöz, Chief Executive Officer at the Taylor Bennett Foundation
- Applications for the fourth cohort of the Reverse Mentoring Programme are open until 21st February 2025. To apply, visit their dedicated webpage.
