We are Creative Mentor Network

The creative industries are full of opportunity, but access to those opportunities isn't equal. At Creative Mentor Network, we partner with organisations to change that. By connecting your people with ambitious young talent from lower socioeconomic backgrounds through mentoring, training and direct recruitment support, we are working to break the class ceiling.

  • Our mentoring programmes matche young people with mentors from across the creative industries. Through fortnightly sessions, mentees build industry knowledge, explore career paths and grow their professional networks. Mentors receive training in coaching and inclusive leadership, and leave better equipped to drive long-term change in the industry.

    2025 highlights:

    • 275 mentoring pairs matched

    • 76% of mentees gained clarity on their creative career path

    • 71% of mentees improved their networking and industry relationships

    • 78% of mentors strengthened their coaching skills

    • 83% of mentors feel equipped to support young people from socioeconomically diverse backgrounds

    Read more about our impact here

  • Talent from lower socioeconomic backgrounds faces a specific set of barriers that have nothing to do with ability:

    Industry knowledge
    The creative economy is vast, but many of its roles are invisible to young people who didn't grow up around them. If you can't see it, you can't plan for it.

    The hidden jobs market
    Up to 80% of roles are filled through networking, referrals or direct outreach rather than job listings. Without existing connections, the odds are stacked against you from the start.

    Creative credibility
    The creative industries are still widely perceived as an unreliable career path, actively discouraging talented young people before they even begin.

    Learn more about the barriers here.

  • We partner with organisations to recruit mentors from all areas of the creative industries, not just those in creative roles. No prior mentoring or management experience needed. Our training supports mentors through every stage of the process.

    Read more about our community

Ways to work with us

  • Break the Wall

    Train your staff as inclusive mentors and leaders while directly supporting a young person from our community through our signature 16-week programme.

  • Bespoke

    Build a mentoring programme around your organisation's specific goals, culture and sector.

  • Speed Networking

    Connect your team with young professionals from our community in an energising, structured networking event.

  • Jobsboard

    Hire directly from our alumni community. Entry to mid-level talent from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, ready to work.

  • Lunch & Learn

    Book an expert-led session on socioeconomic diversity in the creative industries: what it is, why it matters, and what your business can do.

  • The course has helped me understand better what's required to coach an individual, as well as the importance of widening the recruitment net beyond the people and places my company normally defaults.

    —Nico Tuppen, Homeground

  • Learning to mentor helped me develop better communication skills, how to provide constructive feedback, and understand how to motivate mentees to reach their full potential.

    —Harley Ilott, Bumble

  • This experience helped diversify my experience and gave me an opportunity to add significant value to a young person's career. In tern, it helped me reflect on how far I'd come.

    —Adrian Chua, Amazon

  • It was a great opportunity to give back and I also learned so much from my mentee and the process.

    —Fega Ibodje, Sony Music

  • I walked away with renewed clarity on the kind of leader I want to be, one who sees who someone could become and supports them to grow into it by maximising their potential.

    —Damilola Ogboye, Chanel

Get in Touch

We'd love to find the right partnership for your organisation. Fill in the form, and we'll be in touch.

Our Partners