DirectorsUKInspireMentoringProgramme2026-27

 

We are once again accepting applications for Directors UK Inspire, our peer-to-peer mentoring programme for Full and Associate members. 

You can now apply for the 2026-27 cycle. Find out more below. 

What is Inspire?

Inspire is a peer-to-peer, community-focused programme for Directors UK members of all genres and formats. Its purpose is to facilitate proactive mentoring partnerships that are focused and flexible. Inspire also aims to connect mentees and their mentors with a wider cohort of fellow directors. 

Through self-managed, structured yet adaptable meetings, and with the support of our Career Development and Skills team, mentees on the programme are empowered to build a positive, productive and mutually beneficial relationship with their mentor, whether that be receiving feedback on one’s portfolio, sharing insight in relation to the craft and best practice, or general industry guidance over a cuppa. 

Who is Inspire for? 

You must be a Full or Associate member of Directors UK to apply for Inspire and applications are welcome from all such directors, regardless of the format or genre you work in, where you are based in the UK or your background. 

Inspire is for any member aiming to take the next step forward in their directing career through regular, focused meetings from a more experienced director over a 12-month period, and who are keen to connect with like-minded peers. 

Our ambition is for the upcoming cohort to get started in March 2026, taking their time on the programme up until the end of February 2027. 

To see if Inspire is right for you:

•  Check out our most recent cohort and find out what motivated them to apply for Inspire 

•  Read some interviews with past Inspire participants on our Career Development page. We’ve recently heard from members Wendy Wong, William Webb and Jamie Benyon about their experiences on the scheme, and hosted a roundtable with past participants Alex Di Cuffa, Katerina Philippou-Curtis and Markus Meedt.

What Inspire provides

•  Resources and guidance – we offer guidelines, templates and information in relation to structuring your mentoring meetings as well as safeguarding and confidentiality, along with one-to-one personalised advice to help you get the most out of your time on the programme.

•  Community – we organise hybrid meetings at key stages throughout the 12 month period, allowing you to stay in contact with your cohort regardless of where you are based in the UK. We have also recently introduced annual mixer events, connecting you with past and present participants as well as Directors UK staff and board members.

•  Financial support – we have a small budget which can be utilised by mentees if required throughout their time on the programme to help with costs directly related to their meetings, from travel and sustenance to child care and access requirements.

•  Mentor training – mentors are invited to take part in a workshop designed to not only benefit their mentorship responsibilities and experience, but which provides content and tools relevant to wider leadership and communication skills. This training is also an opportunity for mentors to connect with the other mentors in their cohort. 

Deadline for Applications 

Applications are now open for Inspire 2026-27 and the deadline is midday (12pm) on Friday 16 January. 

How to Apply 

Firstly, we highly recommend reading through our ‘Before You Apply’ document which can be downloaded here before starting your application: 

Then, email [email protected] with the subject line “Inspire 2026-27 Application” and attach the following: 

•  An up-to-date CV. We advise checking out Head of Talent and Executive Coach, Sian Whomes’ Top Tips for Building an Impactful CV before starting your application. 

•  A personal statement of no more than 500 words. We are looking for concise, focused and relevant statements that feature the name of your proposed mentor (including brief mention of 2-3 alternative suggestions), your objectives, why your suggested mentor is best suited to you, the actions you would hope to take with them to work towards your goals and how you feel the Inspire programme in particular could enhance your prospective mentoring partnership and directing career. 

Please note, you do not need an agreed mentor in order to apply for Inspire, however, we recommend you attempt to establish contact and discuss your application with any directors of interest before sending us your application. 

Further advice in relation to approaching potential mentors of interest as well as what we are looking for within your personal statement can be found in the Before You Apply resource. 

Interested in Becoming Mentor? 

We know many directors already operate as mentors and support those coming through the industry. Being a mentor can be extremely rewarding and career enhancing as it offers a chance to pause and consider your own decisions and experiences. 

Mentors on Inspire have access to training and resources to help facilitate a strong working relationship with their mentee. This training offers tools and models to help structure mentoring meetings and suggests questioning techniques to facilitate meaningful conversations with your mentee. 

This training also enables directors to reflect on their leadership and communication skills, as well as the ways in which they manage their teams at work. 

If you would like to become a mentor on Inspire, please contact [email protected] sending us your CV and/or a bio, as well as a brief statement as to why you are interested in mentoring and what you might be able to offer. 

Access 

We are happy to receive applications in whichever format is most accessible to you, whether that’s written in the body of an email, or a Word document, via a video in BSL or English, or as an audio file. 

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any access requirements.