Global Majority Mentoring Programme diversifying the talent pipeline of London’s higher education sector

Anchor Institutions are committed to opening up good work opportunities for all and being more representative of the communities they serve.

Darren De Souza, Senior Policy and Projects Officer at London Higher who manages their Global Majority Mentoring Programme alongside Amaechi Echedolu, Learning & Development Manager at London Met, explains the important role that professional mentoring has to play in this.

• What is the Global Majority Mentoring Programme in a nutshell?

It’s a flagship London Higher initiative, sponsored by Minerva that seeks to diversify the talent pipeline at all levels of London’s higher education sector. It matches Black, Asian and minority ethnic academic and professional services staff across London universities with a senior counterpart from another institution. The programme aims to improve career progression, giving mentees a tailored mentoring experience and a space to seek support outside their institutional hierarchy. For 2023, we have nearly 120 participants from 15 London universities. 

• What was the driver for setting it up?

London Higher, its members and partners are committed to tackling injustice and working towards building more inclusive institutions that represent London’s diversity. We seek to provide a springboard for global majority staff to succeed within and beyond the higher education sector.

• How does it work in practice?

1.       London Higher member institutions express interest and commit to providing mentors and a dedicated point of contact for the programme.

2.       Once participating institutions are confirmed, staff from these institutions are invited to apply as mentees.

3.       At the end of the application process, the programme team undertake matching based on best fit, accounting for field of work, career aspirations and desired areas for development.

4. Mentees meet with their mentors regularly over six months (January – July).

5. London Higher provides pre-programme training for mentors and mentees and ongoing support.

• What feedback have you had from mentors and mentees?

Read testimonials from participants here. Consistent feedback centres around the sense of empowerment and confidence-building that mentees build through their participation, with the ability to identify career goals and act towards these.

• What have you learned / what would you advise others who want to set up a mentoring scheme?

An overarching piece of advice would be clarity.

·        Be clear on your purpose and desired impact, your stakeholders and your timeframe.

·        Dedicate enough resource to these programmes so that impact can be maximised.

·        Believe in what you are offering – London Higher is proud to be running this programme for the second year, and we firmly believe in its power to elevate voices and diversify the talent pipeline.