Business Mentoring Pack and Application Guidelines
Free independent advice and support from experienced professionals
Thank you for your interest in the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s Business Mentoring Programme. As a mentor, your guidance will support early-career jewellery and silversmithing businesses build confidence, refine strategy, and grow sustainably. This pack includes mentor and mentee responsibilities, programme structure, application guidelines, code of conduct and FAQ.
Pages Content
1 What is the Business Mentoring Programme?
1 Who can apply?
2 How to apply?
3 - 4 Code of conduct
5 FAQ
What is the Business Mentoring Programme?
The programme pairs experienced professionals with early-stage jewellery and silversmithing businesses that have completed the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s Business Diagnostic and Advice session. Mentees are matched with mentors whose expertise aligns with their business goals, forming the foundation for a productive mentoring relationship.
For questions or guidance before submitting your application, please do contact our team by calling +44(0)20 7566 7650 or emailing applications@goldsmiths-centre.org
Who can apply?
Mentors: We welcome senior professionals with 5+ years’ experience to offer practical, real-world guidance. Typical expertise includes:
Business leadership: founders, directors, P&L responsibility.
Finance: management accounting, corporate finance, CFO/FD roles.
Commercial and retail: wholesale, e-commerce, merchandising, category management.
Marketing and branding: CRM, pricing, performance strategy.
Product and operations: manufacturing, costing, supply, quality assurance.
Mentees: All mentees must have completed a Business Diagnostic and Advice session with the Goldsmiths’ Centre and must:
be located and trading in the UK.
be committed to successful business growth and selfdevelopment.
Be willing to receive advice, while retaining responsibility for their own decisions.
How to apply?
Step 1: Get informed before applying
Read this guide; or attend one of our information sessions (optional). For further information, visit www.goldsmiths-centre.org/learn-andupskill/business-mentoring
Step 2: Application formats
You can apply for the Business Mentoring Programme either via:
our online application form: it can be accessed via any standard web browser on a computer, tablet, smartphone.
a video captured on your camera phone or computer: submitted via a Vimeo or YouTube link (set to private or unlisted), Google Drive or Dropbox and emailed to applications@goldsmiths-centre.org
See our FAQs for a step by step guide on how to best capture your submission.
Step 3: Application form details
Complete all sections of the online application form as follows:
Section 2: Contact Information
Section 3: Your Area of Expertise
Your name, Goldsmiths’ Company member status (Y/N), email address, personal landline, mobile number
Expertise: Select which areas of expertise you willing to offer under the programme e.g.
Business planning, management or administration
Financial management,
Section 4: Mentee
Information for 1:1 Matching
raising funds or finance
Marketing, branding, PR or digital marketing
Developing sales channels, exporting or e-commerce
Product design and development
Manufacturing, supply chain development or sourcing
Range planning
Costing and pricing
Other (please specify)
Provide a short summary of your experience and skills for potential mentees.
Photo: Upload a recent head-andshoulders photo or a selfie (jpg/png, 1.5MB - 2MB, labelled with first name_last name)
Availability and Preferences: Share availability, preferred times, maximum sessions per mentee, and number of mentees you can support. This information helps us match you effectively.
Data Use and Follow-up: Your data will be stored securely and used for programme administration only. By applying, you agree to follow-up communications or surveys.
Step 4: You will receive a confirmation link from applications@goldsmiths-centre.org to say that your application form has been received.
What happens next after applying?
The Goldsmiths’ Centre team will match you with a mentee whose goals align with your expertise. Both parties are emailed separately to confirm the potential match, and contact details are shared once agreed.
We aim to match all mentors, though this may not always be possible in every round. Mentees will contact you directly to arrange the first session – please check your inbox and junk mail.
Code of Conduct
Role
of the Goldsmiths’ Centre
We only identify and match mentors and mentees and collect feedback. We do not oversee mentoring sessions.
Confidentiality
All personal and mentee information must be kept confidential indefinitely unless required by law.
Respect
The programme is free for mentees thanks to all our mentors generously giving their time voluntarily. Many of our mentors have busy full-time jobs in senior leadership positions and we ask mentees to be respectful of your time.
As a mentor, you will:
Offer independent, impartial advice and guidance on a voluntary basis.
Use your first meeting to draw up clear objectives for the partnership as well as practical details.
Listen and keep in confidence the issues shared.
Share a fresh perspective and draw on your own experience to provide insight.
Improve your skills such as active listening and coaching.
As a mentee, they will:
Be respectful of your time.
Be responsible for scheduling and arranging the meetings with you.
Use your first meeting to draw up clear objectives for the partnership as well as practical details.
Be punctual and prepared for each session.
Listen to guidance while taking responsibility for their own decisions.
Cancellations
If a meeting needs to be rescheduled or cancelled, contact your mentee directly. Notify the Goldsmiths’ Centre if you wish to pause or end your participation in the programme.
Time
commitment
Mentoring partnerships typically last up to 12 months, with a minimum of 2-3 meetings every 4–6 weeks for 1 – 2 hours. In your first session, agree on a realistic schedule with your mentee.
Judgment
While the mentoring process will support your mentee in their business development, the mentoring programme should be accompanied by objective judgment. As a mentor, you should advise
your mentee to take suitable independent professional advice before acting on any information, suggestion, or guidance given.
While, we have made every effort to ensure that mentoring provided through this service is of high quality and relevant to applicants, we cannot guarantee the integrity, quality or accuracy of the advice of guidance provided by our mentors.
Feedback
You may get in touch with the Goldsmiths’ Centre at any point during the mentoring partnership by emailing applications@goldsmithscentre.org
You will be asked to email us after your first meeting or if you end the mentorship.
The Goldsmiths’ Centre will also email you and your mentee at 6 and 12 months, and we expect a response. This feedback is required and helps monitor the programme’s impact.
When things don’t work out
Sometimes partnerships may not work due to changing circumstances, practicalities, lack of connection, or conflict of interest. If needed, end the partnership and inform the Goldsmiths’ Centre, who can re-match you. Let us know if you feel uncomfortable with any aspect of the relationship.
FAQ
Is it possible to apply in other ways than the written application form?
Yes, you can submit a simple video captured on your camera phone or computer by following the steps below:
Step 1: Decide the format: Before you start filming, familiarise yourself with the questions in the application form and how you can best present your case through video.
Step 2: Write your script: Start by introducing yourself and then film a response to each question / section of the application form citing the number of each section in the application. Make sure your film is no longer than 20 minutes in total.
Step 3: Rehearse: It’s important to know what you’re going to say in your video, so write a short script and rehearse what you are going to say beforehand until you’re completely comfortable. You may want to enlist the help of a friend or family member. Make sure to speak clearly and slowly, and let your personality shine through.
Step 4: Shoot your video: You don't need to buy or hire expensive equipment to create your video. You can simply use the camera on your smartphone (although you will need a tripod, something to prop your phone onto or a friend to film you) or a computer.
Set aside a few hours so there’s no time pressure – you’ll want to do as many takes as necessary to get it right. You should always film in a well-lit, indoor location with as little background noise as possible. Don’t film against a window; rather use it as natural side lighting. Do some test runs first to make sure the lighting is bright enough and the audio is clear on speakers and headphones – it can also be invaluable to have a friend record with you to get an alternative perspective.
Step 5: Submit your video application: Once you've saved your video in a common format such as MOV, MP4 or AVI, you can share your file via Google drive or Dropbox. You can also upload your video as a hidden video on Youtube or Vimeo and provide us with the link to applications@goldsmiths-centre.org
