Applications open for women in business mentoring programme Businesses of all sectors and sizes are encouraged to join the scheme, which is being run by Santander, and aims to match over 200 entrepreneurs with inspiring mentors Written by Helena Young Published on 12 January 2022 Our experts We are a team of writers, experimenters and researchers providing you with the best advice with zero bias or partiality. Written and reviewed by: Helena Young Lead Writer Direct to your inbox Sign up to the Startups Weekly Newsletter Stay informed on the top business stories with Startups.co.uk’s weekly email newsletter SUBSCRIBE Santander UK has today launched the ‘Santander Breakthrough Women Business Leaders’ mentoring programme, designed to support women in business across the UK.The mentoring programme will pair budding female entrepreneurs with established business leaders across all sectors, business sizes and geographies. Santander expects to pair over 200 mentors and mentees.As in the past two years, the bank will run the programme remotely, due to the Covid pandemic. Covid-permitting, there will also be the opportunity for some face to face meet ups later in the year.The deadline for applications is 14 February 2022. The bank is calling on all businesswomen – as well as both male and female business owners interested in becoming a mentor – to sign up quickly to the programme, as the remote spaces are expected to fill up fast. Vicky Whiter, Owner at Peters’ Cleaners Ltd, was on the 2021 programme and said: “The changes in me have been dramatic. In January and February 2021, the question was “Do I close?” Now I have a marketing director, a board, money in the bank and I’m sitting in a room about to go and talk about venture capital funding.” Reversing the impact of Covid-19Female employment has undergone a marked change as a result of the pandemic.Recent data has revealed that the impact of the pandemic has been far greater on women in work than men in the UK. HMRC statistics show that in most countries and regions, more women than men were furloughed.Last year, we reported on the female entrepreneur ‘funding gap’, which means women are less likely to feel they can afford to start a business than men.It’s suspected that this discrepancy is due to women who start a business typically doing so following a career break, or while working part-time. In comparison, male entrepreneurs are more likely to start a business on firmer financial footing and while in full-time work. Louise Robinson, Head of Breakthrough, Santander said: “The impacts of the pandemic on the UK labour market are stark. What’s clear is that women are taking a greater role at work and there’s never been a more crucial time for us to be supporting them with tailored business mentoring. SMEs are crucial to the UK’s economic recovery and having strong, female business leaders at the helm of these companies will help them to not only revive but to thrive.” How does the mentorship programme work?The programme will cover a wide range of challenges faced by SMEs and entrepreneurs – from finding the right work/life balance, to entering new growth phases and even exporting products or services internationally.As part of the initiative, Santander will provide each of the partnerships with tailored business support, through facilitated peer to peer sessions at the participant’s request.They’ll also become part of the Santander Breakthrough team, a large peer-to-peer network that provides knowledge-sharing as well as a safe environment where business owners can reflect on challenges and successes.How can you apply?To be eligible for the programme, you must:Be the owner or majority shareholder of a businessHave been trading for at least one yearBe capable of scaling up the business and boosting local employment with a turnover up to £6.5m.Prospective mentors and mentees can apply online. The deadline for applications is 14 February 2022.The programme itself will start at the end of March, once the mentors and mentees have been matched, and will run throughout the year. Share this post facebook twitter linkedin Tags News and Features Written by: Helena Young Lead Writer Helena is Lead Writer at Startups. As resident people and premises expert, she's an authority on topics such as business energy, office and coworking spaces, and project management software. With a background in PR and marketing, Helena also manages the Startups 100 Index and is passionate about giving early-stage startups a platform to boost their brands. From interviewing Wetherspoon's boss Tim Martin to spotting data-led working from home trends, her insight has been featured by major trade publications including the ICAEW, and news outlets like the BBC, ITV News, Daily Express, and HuffPost UK.