PwC’s mentoring programme gives young women face time with Yorkshire’s top female leaders

PwC in Leeds has expanded its women’s networking scheme to reach out to tomorrow’s leaders.  The firm linked its growing women’s networking scheme with its school programme and invited two female sixth form students from the South Leeds Academy and a Year 5 student from Hunslet Moor Primary to attend the Sue Ryder Women of Achievement Awards Ceremony at the Royal Armouries on 25 May. An annual event recognising the achievements of women across Yorkshire in the fields of business, community, sports and the arts, it was a great opportunity to help give the young women the inspiration and confidence to succeed in the future.

Bev Lockwood from PwC, who established the firm's women's mentoring programme, said:

"The mentoring programme is ultimately about helping women to seize and make the most of opportunities. This was an ideal chanceto show our women mentoring these young people the value of such an experience."

PwC has strong links with Hunslet Moor Primary School and the South Leeds Academy. Last year, the firm launched a breakfast club at Hunslet Moor, giving all children a healthy breakfast before they start classes. At the South Leeds Academy, Rebecca Graham and Chantelle Nudd, the two young women invited to attend the Women in Achievement Awards, receive a tailored package of mentoring support and career planning guidance from professional women in the firm throughout the year, as part of the firm's involvement in Business Class, Business in the Community’s flagship education programme.  

Rebecca Graham, sixth form student at the South Leeds Academy, said:

“I was very proud of the women who achieved the awards on the day as they had made speeches that touched my heart. I love the Yorkshire Women of Achievement Awards because it has shown me what other women have achieved through their life. I have realised that I could be one of those women in a few years from now because of what I can achieve and having gained lots more confidence.”

Vanessa Norton, the girls’ head of year at the South Leeds Academy, said:

“Having seen Rebecca and Chantelle benefit from their mentoring sessions at PwC, it was a wonderful way for the first year to end with the girls being invited, as guests of their mentors, to the Yorkshire Women's Achievement lunch at the Armouries. They enjoyed the day, loved being part of the occasion and really appreciated the opportunity that they had been given. They are already planning and looking forward to next year and continuing to work with their mentors, and promoting the benefits of having a PwC mentor to the new Year 12 students.”

Habiba Miah, a Year 5 student at Hunslet Moor Primary School, and the school’s headteacher Narinder Gill also joined PwC at the event. Habiba said:

“I definitely enjoyed the event; it was really exciting. It was fantastic to meet so many inspirational people. They seemed very proud to get their awards.”

Julie Cullen, business manager at Business in the Community, and Sarah Dunwell, chief executive at Create Foundation, were also PwC’s guests at the event.

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