Reverse Mentoring Scheme 2024 Closing Event saw Mentors and Mentees from across the PR industry meet to discuss the value inclusive cultures and talent bring.
February 2025: At the closing event for the third year of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and Taylor Bennett Foundation’s Reverse Mentoring Programme, senior PR leaders from agencies and in-house teams reaffirmed their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Their call to action comes at a time when some organisations, particularly in the US, are rolling back DEI initiatives.
Speaking at the event, Koray Camgöz, Chief Executive Officer at the Taylor Bennett Foundation commented:
“Inclusive talent strategies are fundamental to organisational success. While there’s a lot of noise and distraction around DEI at present, our commitment remains unwavering. Creating equal opportunities for diverse professionals and educating senior leaders has never been more important. The Reverse Mentoring Programme is a crucial part of our efforts to drive lasting cultural change in the industry.”
A Transformative Initiative Driving Change
The Reverse Mentoring Programme, pioneered by CIPR’s Diversity and Inclusion Network, pairs senior PR leaders with Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) professionals, fostering meaningful conversations on race, inclusion, and allyship. The 10-month programme provides a platform for mentees to share their lived experiences, helping senior leaders build more inclusive workplaces and develop strategies that reflect the diversity of society.
At the closing event, held at Freud Communications, mentees and mentors reflected on the impact of their experiences. Mentees spoke to the relationships they had made and how this had informed their approach to inclusive cultures at their workplaces.
Selena Callas, Senior Managing Director at Teneo, shared how the programme transformed her approach to DEI: “I used to fear getting things wrong when talking about race and inclusion. This programme taught me that asking questions—even imperfectly—is better than saying nothing at all.”
Adam Mack, Director of Strategy & Insight at Hope & Glory, spoke about learning about understanding the experience of diverse people in our industry: “It’s one thing to hear about systemic barriers, but until you feel a version of that frustration yourself, it’s hard to grasp. This programme helped me feel it.”
Fiona Laffan, Global Head of Corporate Affairs at ICG, echoed the programme’s value in broadening perspectives: “The relationship was definitely a safe space, but there were some uncomfortable conversations that really made me think about language and framing. My mentor’s perspective was incredibly helpful. This programme has covered a wide range of topics, offering both a generational and cultural lens that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.”
Industry-Wide Participation and Applications for 2025 programme
This year’s programme included senior leaders from Headland, Teneo, Hope&Glory, Lloyds Banking Group, ICG, and the Ministry of Justice, underscoring the industry’s growing recognition of the importance of DEI.
Applications for the fourth cohort of Mentors and Mentees for the Reverse Mentoring Programme are now open until 21st February 2025. For more information, visit: Reverse Mentoring Programme – Taylor Bennett Foundation.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations
Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the world’s only Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners with over 11,000 members.
The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).
About the Taylor Bennett Foundation
The Taylor Bennett Foundation (TBF) is a UK-based charity dedicated to increasing ethnic diversity in public relations and communications. Established in 2008 by executive search firm Taylor Bennett (now Taylor Birchwood), with support from Brunswick Group, the Foundation aims to empower Black, Asian, and minority ethnic talent to pursue and thrive in communications careers. Over the past fifteen years, we have helped over 1,000 young people to start their PR and communications careers through our award-winning professional development programmes.
February 14th 2025