DirectorsUKInspire2025-26:AMentoringandCareerDevelopmentProgramme
Apply for Inspire, our peer-to-peer mentoring programme for Full and Associate members of Directors UK. Applications are now open for our second cohort of the 2025-26 cycle.
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What is Inspire?
Inspire is a peer-to-peer mentoring programme from Directors UK. It empowers directors to reach the next stage in their career, through structured mentoring partnerships.
Through tailored but self-managed peer-to-peer support, over the course of a year directors on the programme build a mutual relationship with a fellow director — sharing best practice, industry experiences and sometimes even just a cuppa and a catch up.
You must be a Full or Associate member of Directors UK, but applications are welcome from all directors — regardless of the genre you work in, where you are based or your background.
Who is Inspire for?
Inspire is for any director looking to take the next step in their career, through regular, personalised support from a peer over a 12-month period.
Though we receive a high volume of applications from drama directors, and those that reside in London and the South East, Inspire is absolutely open to directors working in Unscripted, multi-cam, docs — in fact, it’s a mentoring programme suitable for those who work in any genre. Due to the flexibility of managing your own mentoring, and the hybrid nature of our support, we encourage those living in the Nations and regions to apply.
We have a small budget which, if required, can be used to assist with expenditure directly related to your mentorship. Please note, this is not a bursary or grant, and more information will be provided to those accepted onto Inspire.
To see if Inspire is right for you:
• Read up on our latest cohort and find out what inspired them to take part.
• Take a look at our interviews with Inspire partnerships, like this chat with ents and multi-cam directors Hayley Webster-Lerigo and her mentor John Adams.
What Inspire Provides
What Inspire provides:
• We provide you with guidance and resources to get the most out of your partnership, from building your action plan, to information about safeguarding, to personalised advice from the Directors UK Career Development team.
• We organise hybrid meetings throughout your time on the programme, so you can stay connected to your cohort regardless of where you are based in the UK.
• We introduce you to past participants of Inspire so you can find out first hand how they structured their time on the scheme to fit their goals.
• Our Career Development team will check in with you throughout the programme to make sure your mentorship is on track.
• Mentors have access to training and support to help them facilitate a strong working relationship with their mentee. See more on this below.
Deadline for Applications
Applications are now open for the second cohort of Inspire 2025-2026, and will close on Friday 30 May 2025.
How to apply
We receive hundreds of applications for Inspire each year. To make sure your application stands out, be sure to read our "Before you apply" document which can be downloaded here.
Then, when you are ready, email [email protected] with the subject line “Inspire 2025-26 Application”, and include the following:
• An up-to-date CV. We recommend 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 maximum 500 words. We are looking for clear, concise and relevant statements that include the name of your proposed mentor (with some potential alternative mentors), your objectives, the actions you would hope to take with your mentor, and how you feel the Inspire programme could enhance your mentoring partnership. Information on what to include is found in our "Before you apply" document.
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.
Diversity and Inclusion
Applications are encouraged from all members of Directors UK, and particularly from female directors, directors of colour, disabled, d/Deaf and/or neurodivergent directors, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, those residing in the Nations and regions, and members from all socio-economic backgrounds as we recognise these groups are currently underrepresented in the film and TV industry.
Interested in becoming a mentor?
We know that many directors already operate as mentors and support those coming through the industry. Being a mentor is extremely rewarding and career enhancing as it offers a chance to pause and consider your own decisions and experiences.
Mentors have access to training and support to help them 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 and be added to a pool of directors keen to offer this support please get in touch. We can add you to our list and discuss opportunities in relation to Inspire as they arise.
Please send us your CV or your biography and a few sentences summarising what you may be able to offer a mentee over a 12-month period to [email protected].