News story

New mentoring scheme for British businesses

A new scheme will offer support on a range of issues faced by businesses covering the whole of the UK.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

British businesses will now have access to more knowledge and support as a new mentoring scheme launches, and through a brand new web portal, www.mentorsme.co.uk . The Government has worked alongside the private sector to improve access to, and stimulate the demand for, mentoring.

Set up by the UK’s five largest high street banks, the scheme will offer support on a range of issues faced by businesses, from finance to marketing to HR.

The website provides a single point of access for those seeking mentoring and those seeking to be mentors, covering the whole of the UK.

The Government wants to encourage experienced business people to sign up to mentor new and growing businesses.

Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk said:

“From my own experiences running a small business I know how valuable insight can be from people who have done it all before.

“Small business owners have repeatedly told us that the support they value most comes from other experienced business people. For the first time in the UK, there will be a single, cohesive network of mentoring provision.

“Small firms are the lifeblood of our economy and we are determined to give them every opportunity to succeed and secure the long-term growth we need.”

The launch forms part of the Better Business Finance campaign, set up by the Business Finance Taskforce.

Updates to this page

Published 4 July 2011