What we do

/

Top level mentoring from Chairs & CEOs

Trusted counsel for leaders navigating complexity

Structured, high-impact mentoring delivered through a classic, counsel-led approach. A confidential space for rigorous thinking, deep reflection and constructive challenge  where experienced Chairs and former CEOs provide a trusted sounding board on the decisions that shape organisations, reputations and legacies.

Best for leaders who want:

  • A CEO or Chair as a confidential sounding board
  • Strategic perspective and stronger decision-making under pressure
  • Support navigating boards, investors and complex stakeholder and cultural dynamics
  • Guidance through major transitions (new CEO role, turnaround, growth, M&A, succession)
  • A mentor who will challenge thinking, reframe assumptions and sharpen judgement
  • Space to pressure-test decisions that cannot be explored elsewhere

What it looks like:

  • Bespoke matching from our Chair & CEO mentor roster
  • Private 1:1 sessions tailored to individual needs
  • Discreet support across pivotal moments – not just scheduled themes
  • A structured yet flexible engagement, free from internal politics or reporting lines
  • Membership of our global community of senior leaders

Each engagement is designed for absolute confidentiality and impact. Leaders explore a broad range of issues – from strategy and board dynamics to leadership style and resilience – unlocking value where judgement matters most.

Case study

Navigating CEO Succession: developing two leaders, retaining both

Confidential mentoring from experienced Chair mentors prepared two CEO contenders for the top role – delivering a seamless transition while retaining critical executive talent.

Case study

Context

A global industrial company identified two senior executives as potential CEO successors while they led the organisation’s largest divisions. Both were increasingly working with the Board and engaging with external stakeholders. The company introduced confidential external mentoring to support their development and provide an independent sounding board during the succession process.

Case study

Challenge


The Board needed to run a rigorous succession process while maintaining organisational stability. Only one candidate would ultimately become CEO, yet both were highly valued leaders. The organisation needed to prepare both executives for the demands of the role while ensuring the unsuccessful candidate remained engaged and retained.

Case study

Approach

Each executive was matched with an internationally experienced Chair-level mentor. The mentoring focused on strengthening strategic judgement, navigating board relationships, preparing for engagement with investors and analysts, and managing the complexities of the CEO succession process.

Through regular mentoring conversations, both leaders were able to pressure-test decisions, broaden their strategic perspective and manage the complexity of the leadership transition.

Case study

Outcome

One candidate was appointed CEO, with mentoring continuing to support the transition into the role. The second candidate – an important senior leader – was successfully retained and remained fully engaged in the organisation’s future. The organisation achieved a smooth CEO transition while retaining critical executive talent and strengthening its leadership bench.

Case study

Testimonial

“The mentoring was instrumental in helping me operate at the next level – sharpening my strategic thinking, strengthening my Board engagement and providing an invaluable sounding board throughout a complex and high-stakes succession process.”

The mentoring process has provided me with important perspectives and above all an inner calmness and clarity to do what I think is right.

Jakob Stausholm,

CEO, Rio Tinto

Few experiences truly prepare you for sitting in the CEO’s seat. Chair mentoring gives leaders the rare opportunity to step out of the noise and into a space of clarity, challenge, and reflection. The calibre of the mentors, the discretion of the process and the sharp relevance to what global CEOs are facing today make this unique. If you’re looking for something ordinary, this is not it. Their mentoring is different – and that’s exactly why it works.

Ravi Kumar,

CEO, Cognizant

My mentor has been priceless – helping me navigate several complex issues with clarity and confidence. I’ve learned a great deal – not only through hearing about real-world business experience, but by testing and refining my own thinking in a space that is safe, insightful and challenging in all the right ways. Above all, it has been an energising experience – one that has sharpened my thinking and approach.

Margherita Della Valle,

CEO, Vodafone plc

There are some things that you can learn only from people who have been there and done it.

CS Venkatakrishnan,

Group Chief Executive, Barclays 

Your pathway to exceptional leadership

It starts with a conversation – and leads to lasting impact

Connect with us

The Original Mentor

Mentoring has its roots in one of the oldest leadership stories. In Homer’s Odyssey, Mentor was entrusted with guiding the young Telemachus while Odysseus was away — not by directing him, but by offering judgement, perspective and wisdom born of experience. This enduring idea of counsel, grounded in trust rather than instruction, remains the essence of mentoring today.

That same tradition sits at the heart of Global Mentors Group today. 

We exist to provide leaders with access to seasoned peers who have walked the path before them, offering the clarity, judgement and discretion required to lead at the highest level.

Global Mentors Group
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.