The Women in PR Mentoring Programme was set up in 2014 as a joint initiative with PRWeek UK to identify, nurture and inspire the next generation of female leaders. We are proud that, since its inception, the scheme has supported more than 100 ambitious women from a range of backgrounds, and with an array of career goals and challenges, to achieve their individual goals.
Women can face different challenges to men as they step up the PR career ladder, whether they are working in-house, in an agency or as a freelance practitioner. These include navigating a boardroom often dominated by men, negotiating equal pay or juggling work and family or caring responsibilities.
Our scheme ensures that women can confidently and successfully overcome their unique challenges in order to progress in their careers to achieve their ultimate ambitions. We do this by matching candidates with women who are operating in very senior positions within the UK PR industry.
Our Mentors
The mentoring line-up is refreshed every year to maintain a brilliant, motivated and diverse cohort of industry leaders, both female and male, keen to give back to the industry and support future female leaders. The diverse backgrounds and experiences of our mentors allow us to support the very broad range of needs from our mentees
The Impact
Graduates from the mentoring programme have gone on to secure top level positions in the industry. There is a great community of mentoring scheme alumni and the feedback we receive regarding the impact on individual careers is fantastic. For more information you can read many of their success stories on our blog and social channels. We are also thrilled that several of our mentees have since returned to give back, becoming mentors themselves.
Programme details
The mentoring programme lasts for 12 months and involves at least six full mentoring sessions plus ad-hoc discretionary support.
The programme is open to female practitioners of public relations with 5 or more years’ experience and/or are working at middle-management or director level or equivalent, who can demonstrate;
- Five years industry experience with leadership potential (demonstrable experience to date and signs of being a leader of the future).
- Clarity of career objectives and how access to a mentor will help get you there, including overcoming perceived obstacles.
- Industry engagement with demonstrable effort to engage in key issues and effect change – for example, being an active member of a trade body, or helping/driving new initiatives to help improve our industry.
- Commitment to actively engage in this highly sought-after programme and to drive the scheduling of mentoring sessions.
Women in PR calls for mentors for 2026 Mentoring programme
Opportunity to nurture the next generation of female PR and Communications talent
13th April 2026. Women in PR (WiPR) is inviting applications for mentors for its flagship mentoring programme – which heads into its thirteenth year.
The organisation is calling for both senior men and women PR and Communications leaders to volunteer their time as a mentor in its highly successful mentoring programme, run in partnership with PR Week with support from Ketchum and Opinium.
The scheme helps empower mentees tackle key challenges women still face in the workplace – from breaking barriers to promotion to helping build new mindsets and capabilities, overcoming professional challenges to building confidence in their own leadership.
Mentors in the programme commit to at least six, one-to-one mentoring sessions across 12-months to help support the career development of future leaders. They receive pro-bono executive coaching support from The Mind Works coaching, and become part of a community of fellow mentors. Mentors have a maximum tenure of two to three consecutive years, to give them an opportunity to take a break and ensure a fresh cohort who can bring new perspectives.
There are 10 open mentor roles for the 2026-2027 programme and the organisation is looking for applicants from across a range of industries and experiences.
Koray Camgoz, CEO, Taylor Bennet Foundation and WiPR mentor commented: “The Women in PR Mentoring Programme exceeded my expectations – from the care taken in matching mentors and mentees, to the quality of the events and the seamless way it was run throughout. It’s a brilliant initiative and one I’d encourage others to be part of without hesitation.”
Orla Moran, Managing Director Consumer & Brand, Burson and WiPR mentor said: “This year’s mentoring programme has been a timely reminder of the power of a supportive network – and how a strong mentoring relationship really does bring perspective and a huge benefit to both partners. It has been a privilege to witness my mentee’s progression over this year. I’m proud to have played a small role in their path.”
The link to apply to be a mentor is here
Applications close on 30 April 2026 with successful applicants to be notified in early May.
