Our partnership with Women in Defence provides us with the opportunity to take part in a unique nine-month mentoring programme, where eight of Amey’s high achieving women are matched with mentors from across the sector, and eight Amey employees (men and women) are chosen to mentor eight women from other Defence organisations, including the Armed Forces and MOD Civil Service.
With the programme now in its final month, our participants were invited to the Inspired by Mentoring Awards, hosted by Moving Ahead, the specialist mentoring organisation. The event was a chance to celebrate those who have taken part in this year’s programme and for the participants to shine a light on their mentoring partners and recognise their special contribution to the mentoring experience, which was made more challenging by the COVID-19 restrictions.
Laura Collins, Amey’s Business Improvement Manager Housing, was delighted to have been awarded a Highly Commended in the Most Committed Mentee category, having been nominated by her mentor Dr David Hawken, Strategy Deputy Head. Laura said “The programme reinforced in me that it’s ok to be different, especially working in a very male dominated environment. I found myself excited for my monthly sessions with David, who gave me valuable insight into other Defence organisations, set homework for me to complete and provided me with new techniques that I can use in my role at Amey. I’m hugely grateful for the time David put into the programme and for making me believe in myself and I’m excited to see what the future holds for me.”
David added “Laura and I covered a lot of ground in our short time together and it came as no surprise that Laura was presented with the award. She fully embraced the programme and completed the exercises I gave her thoroughly, exceeding my expectations of what I was expecting her to do. I believe a significant contributor to the award was how Laura took her learning into her day job and, through that, would have made others think differently about how they do their jobs.”
The winner of the Most Committed Mentee award went to Wing Commander Daniela Nowalski who was mentored by Richard Castell, Amey’s Operational Relationship Manager and ex-Colonel in the Army. Richard found the whole experience really rewarding and insightful and was delighted that Daniela’s commitment was recognised at the event.
Reflecting on her mentoring journey, Daniella said “Being a mentee has been a hugely personal journey for me and the opportunity has been life changing. I was paired with an amazing mentor in Richard at a time in my life when I was in a quandary having returned from my second period of maternity leave and into a busy operational role. Having a mentor enabled me to be honest in considering what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be. It enabled me to challenge myself in a safe space. Richard showed me how to harness my potential and my strengths; how to channel my energy into getting a role that I really wanted and that offered me a work-life fit that meant I was no longer balancing. Having a mentor, and reaching out to them when times are tough or crossroads are reached, can be one of the most empowering things you ever do.”
Amey is further strengthening its links with Women in Defence by sponsoring this year’s prestigious Reception of the Awards evening in November 2021.