Europe & Africa Mentoring Programme – nurturing tomorrow’s talent

Europe & Africa Mentoring Programme

The right mentor can make a huge difference to an individual’s life and their prospects. This year, the Regional Talent & Development team, used the Success Factors platform to facilitate a matching process between mentors and mentees in an exciting new mentoring programme in Europe and Africa to bring that potential to the fore. Over the last few months, 16 highly experienced mentors have been nurturing the skills and knowledge of 19 specially selected individuals to help them transform into the leaders of the future.

What is the Europe & Africa Mentoring Programme?
From May to December 2024, the team of experienced mentors have been meeting with 19 selected candidates. These candidates have already displayed not just business acumen but the potential to go on to achieve real success within their chosen field. The mentors are tasked with delivering a support network that encourages candidates to enhance not just their practical business knowledge, but to examine further how they can apply that to their everyday roles. The central axis of the programme is Leadership Development, encouraging the candidates to become the leaders of tomorrow. The primary goals are to foster career development—not by ‘fast-tracking’ but by allowing the candidates to show their true worth and encouraging their practical and personal growth processes. Under the Leadership Development umbrella, a wide range of topics are explored, and the mentoring process is tailored to the individual’s specific strengths and weaknesses. Mentors regard the programme as a two-way learning process that allows candidates to bring a fresh perspective and new ideas through a culture of continuous learning. The mentors feel they have gained as much as the candidates throughout the process.

Putting the emphasis on people
The automotive industry has always been at the cutting edge of innovation. The Europe & Africa Mentoring Programme encourages a positive attitude towards personal development and its application both up and downstream. The Inchcape Mentoring Programme was designed by Magdalena Masternak, Regional Head Talent & Development, and her team. Their aim was to connect mentors and mentees, enabling them to benefit from one another’s skills, enthusiasm, experience and ambition. Both groups bring plenty to the table that benefits the collective and the business as a whole.

Real success stories
Here is what both mentors and mentees had to say about the programme:

What next?
Both mentors and mentees have widely welcomed the mentorship programme in its first year. Even halfway through, it is clear that the sharing of experiences, ideas, and ingenuity has formed a positive bond among the participants. The hope is that the programme will continue to empower and inspire many more young leaders of the future across Inchcape Europe and Africa as they start their careers in the automotive industry. While ingenuity is important, so is raw passion, talent, and commitment. All 19 candidates involved in the inaugural programme throughout 2024 have demonstrated just how motivated and dedicated they are. Nurturing that drive for professional development among the next generation of industry leaders means the automotive sector is in good hands moving forward.

A special thank you to Ariel, Saule and Anne for sharing their inspiring experiences on the mentoring programme. Their valuable insights highlight how this programme supports the growth and development of all participants and is a testament to the dedication and talent within our team. Thank you again for your contributions.