Debating the subject of mentoring -
What we did

The first Coutts Forum for Entrepreneurs provided a unique platform for Entrepreneurs - bringing together speakers from the world’s of business journalism to the military - to explore the value of mentoring to today’s Entrepreneurs and their businesses.

The forum brought together a number of Coutts’ Entrepreneur clients, as well as members of the Entrepreneurs Organisation. The afternoon began with a presentation from Michael Hayman, Chief Executive of The Communication Group plc, discussing the value of mentoring, its challenges. Matthew Gwyther, Editor of Management Today ,followed by setting mentoring in the context of the business landscape and providing some personal insights. Robert Riley, Chief Executive of Armani Hotel Group and Brian Keegan, Managing Director of 360 Group discussed their experiences during their personal mentoring relationship.

A ‘Question Time’ discussion followed allowing panellists to take an opening opportunity to provide a summation of their personal views and experiences of the value of mentoring and the debate was opened up to questions from attendees. Panellists included Elliot Jacob, London chapter head of the Entrepreneurs Organisation, Matthew Gwyther, Sir Philip Trousdell, a former Commandant of Sandhurst, Mike Southon, a best selling author and Keith Willey, Professor of Entrepreneurship at London Business School.

Mentoring is a rapidly changing and diverse subject both here in the UK and around the world. At Coutts & Co, it is frequently raised by our Entrepreneur clients as an important issue in the development of their businesses and we have been examining ways in which we can facilitate in the establishment of effective mentoring relationships for our clients.

“Few things in the world are more powerful than a positive push. A smile. A word of optimism and hope. A “you can do it” when things are tough.”

Richard M. De Vos, American billionaire Entrepreneur