Compass celebrates five years of cross-company mentoring

For the fifth year, employees from Compass Group UK & Ireland have taken part in Mission Gender Equity, with Mission Include running for two years now – they are the world’s largest cross-company mentoring programmes.

Delivered by Moving Ahead in partnership with the 30% Club campaign, 70 colleagues have been through the programme from Compass. As popularity for the programme grows year on year, 32 people joined the 2024/25 cohort, with a mix of mentors and mentees.

The unique, cross-company approach creates exposure to fresh perspectives and alternative ways of working. Over a period of nine months, the pairs meet regularly, engage with live and digital events, listen to world-class speakers delivering thought provoking and educational content, receive mentoring training and online learning and have the opportunity to network and build new relationships.

After a successful first year as a mentor last year, Dianah Sweeney, Growth Director at Compass Group UK & Ireland, has taken part for a second time. Dianah said:

“This is the second year I have taken part in the 30% Club mentoring programme and it has been a great experience. Throughout the last year chatting and meeting with my mentee, we have had the opportunity to reflect and understand the experience and perspective of others in the workplace from someone in a very different environment and organisation. I hope the conversations have been helpful to her - they have certainly made me stop and think about the impact leaders have on others and how we as leaders can be more self-aware, and ready to support others on their journey.”

Charlotte Parriss, Head of Inside Sales Marketing at Compass Group UK & Ireland took part in the programme this year as a mentee. She said:

“Taking part in the 30% Club has given me a newfound confidence. From the meetings with my mentor to the workshops facilitated by Moving Ahead, all aspects of the mentoring programme have made me think differently, become a better listener and have given me the desire to progress. Meeting people from other industries and countries meant this was like no other mentoring programme and I would definitely recommend to anyone if you are presented with the opportunity to take part, then do.”

Since 2014, Moving Ahead has supported 25,000 participants from 60 countries across 301 organisations. To find out more about the programmes, click here: Moving Ahead