Claire Jacques, Business Development Manager at 360 Chartered Accountants, has been selected to be a mentor for the prestigious Cherie Blair Foundation for Women Mentoring programme.
The year-long mentorship, which starts in May, aims to support and empower women in developing and emerging markets so that they can set up and grow successful businesses.
Claire, who mentors businesses across Hull and East Yorkshire as part of 360’s own mentoring programme, 360 Mentor, has had to go through a stringent selection process, including a final exam, before being approved and selected as a mentor. She said:
“Supporting women in business is something I believe in passionately so I am absolutely delighted to have been selected as a mentor for the Cherie Blair Foundation. It’s a real honour and a great opportunity to give something back and to share my own experiences.”
Mentors and mentees will connect using a secure online platform. Each woman entrepreneur will be given access to the skills, technology, networks and financial services they need to become successful small business owners.
The Cherie Blair Foundation said:
“We believe – and research proves – that women who are financially independent have greater control over their lives, are better able to invest in their families, contribute to their economies and have a stronger voice in their societies. To date we have reached over 136,000 women across more than 90 countries.”
Claire Jacques continued:
“The mentoring programme is all about boosting confidence, improving business performance and ultimately creating wealth for the entrepreneurs we support. It will also be an exciting learning curve for me. As well as giving my mentee the support and knowledge she needs to help her run her business, I will have to take into account the additional challenges and pressures women face in developing countries and understand any cultural differences.”
For more information about 360 Chartered Accountants and 360 Mentor please visit www.360accountants.co.uk and www.360mentor.co.uk or call 01482 427360.