PREACH Inclusion and National Grid hosted a panel discussion and networking session about the power of mentoring.

We know how transformational mentoring can be at all stages of one’s career. From the traditional model of senior leaders supporting more junior employees with their career aspirations to reverse mentoring, where junior staff mentor their seniors; mentoring can give a sense of purpose to both parties. It’s also an exchange of skills and cultures across different demographics, generations and even geographies.

In this event, we brought together professionals from National Grid, the PREACH Inclusion network and the RICS to have an open panel discussion about mentoring and how you can implement this within your organisation, as part of your equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives.

We discussed the different types of mentoring, how they’ve benefitted individuals and how to go about seeking a mentor. Our esteemed speakers shared their own stories and reflections on mentoring to help people with their journey.

This was followed by targeted networking to facilitate informal mentoring relationships. We were joined by school and university students to provide opportunities for conversations, connections and curiosity.

Speakers

Opening remarks by Prem Gabbi, UK Director of Land and Property at National Grid

Followed by a panel discussion with:

• Priya Aggarwal-Shah, Founder and Director of PREACH Inclusion (Chair)
• Matthew Pearce, Head of Electricity Transmission Property, National Grid
• Rimi Bassi, Global ERG Manager, National Grid
• Bhavini Shah, Head of DE&I, Montagu Evans
• Tomi Laguda, Membership DEI Manager, RICS

Agenda

• 12.30 – 1.15pm: Arrivals, light lunch + networking
• 1.15 – 2.15pm – panel discussion about mentoring
• 2.15 – 3.00pm – networking / speed mentoring, where people break off into different rooms to facilitate networking.