(Pictured: Fay Sharpe, vice president, BCD Meetings & Events)
Being mentored is something that can have a huge impact on growing one’s talent and carving out a real developmental route in the events and hospitality industry.
These were the reasons five years ago that prompted Fay Sharpe, now vice president at BCD Meetings & Events, to launch the Fast Forward 15 mentoring program, a not-for-profit initiative for women in the events and hospitality industry.
During the five years since, the program has helped 75 women work towards and smash their breakthrough goals with the support of leading industry figures (male and female) who have closely mentored them.
“As a 2019-2020 mentor, I have experienced first-hand the power of the FF15,” says Carina Bauer, chief executive officer of IMEX Group.
The success of Sharpe’s program has prompted the idea of a survey on the impact of mentoring in general. It is designed to help FF15 continue to deliver a world-class mentoring program, but also to inspire people to mentor and be mentored.
“IMEX Group is proud to get behind the initiative as a key partner and urges all with a passion for our industry and its young talent to get involved.” Bauer says.
The survey is conducted in collaboration with Kate Dashper (Reader, Director of Research Degrees) of Leeds Beckett University. The findings will form part of a White Paper to be produced for the fifth anniversary launch and graduation event in May in London.
“The survey will only be a success if we get as many people as possible involved,” Sharp says. “This will help shape what we do. Please take the time to fill it out; it should only take 10 minutes and you’ll be helping shape the future for mentoring across the globe.”
Follow this link to take the survey. The survey is anonymous; to be entered into a drawing for a fast-track mentor session with Sharpe, either face-to-face in London or online, add contact details before submitting the survey.
The Fast Forward 15 program runs for a 12-month period during which time mentees and their mentors work together to achieve objectives and goals. The program includes two group workshops, monthly one to one mentoring and concludes with a graduation ceremony. It also includes a mentee charity event. For more info, visit https://fastforward15.co.uk/
