The Santander Women Business Leaders’ mentoring programme

Supporting women and entrepreneurship

We've run our Women Business Leaders' mentoring programme since 2019. It’s a key part of our commitment to the Government's Investing in Women Code. The Code supports the advancement of female founders and business owners in the UK. It does this by improving access to tools, resources, and finance. Find out more about the Government's Investing in Women Code.

About the programme 

The programme is for the next generation of fast-growth ambitious female founders and business owners.

To get a place on the programme you’ll be:

• a Santander business customer, or interested in becoming one
• a female founder, owner or majority shareholder of a business
• registered as a UK company and trading for a minimum of 18 months.

If you get a place:

• we’ll match you with a suitable mentor. Our mentors come from a wide range of sectors and have at least 5 years leadership experience
• we’ll help you think in different ways about your business. Your mentor will have the skills and experience to guide you through this
• you’ll commit to meeting with your mentor on a regular basis. With them you’ll decide on your business objectives and the help you need
• you’ll be given the resources to make sure you get the most from the programme
• you’ll be part of an active network of female founders.

To get the most out of it you’ll:

• be prepared to take responsibility for progressing your business 
• be open to feedback and challenge from your mentor 
• have a clear ambition to scale up your business. This could include growing your network or your team. 

We welcome applications to be a mentor. Here’s what we look for in a mentor:

• experience of having run or owned your own business, or
• a business leader with corporate experience. Knowledge of small to medium size businesses is also required.

We take on both female and male mentors. What's important is that you want to make a difference and support ambitious female business owners.

To be a great mentor you’ll:

• understand how small and medium size businesses work
• be prepared to share insights based on your experiences
• be a positive role model
• be committed, reliable and maintain discretion
• have great listening skills and be easy to talk to
• be happy to complete mentor training.

Register your interest in mentoring