At Mundipharma, we have created a high performing culture where all colleagues thrive. Part of this includes our unique opportunities for development.
In 2024, we relaunched our Global Mentoring programme, an initiative that supports our commitment to fostering professional growth and collaboration within the organisation.
With the many unique and impactful career journeys here at Mundipharma, we have been able to ensure colleagues have opportunities to learn and progress wherever they are in
their careers.
Mentoring can have a huge impact on both mentors and mentees, boosting motivation and collaboration for both groups and creating an open and positive working environment.
It has been great to see over 50 colleagues sign up for the programme in the last few months as mentors and many more becoming mentees!
This has allowed people to create meaningful connections across business. For example, as part of our Rising Stars Talent Development Programme, all participants were tasked with finding a mentor and having regular catch ups to support their leadership development.
People can match with mentors on specific areas they would like to develop in or related to their own situations, for example returning from parental leave. It doesn’t also have to be a senior person mentoring someone more junior to them, there is also the concept of reverse mentoring, where younger or more junior colleagues mentor a more senior person in the business.
“Becoming a mentor has been a very valuable experience and something I am very proud to do,” explained Sarah Heidrich, VP and General Manager of the LCM Cluster. “I’ve got to know colleagues who I may not have ordinarily spent a lot of time with. I have especially enjoyed watching these colleagues thrive. We are all busy, but I aim to prioritise these sessions, which give me personally a great deal of energy as I spend time with colleagues, discuss their development and try to offer them advice in a practical and purposeful way.”
“Having a mentor as a go-to person has really supported me in the last few months when I have needed to discuss a particular topic or just have a sounding board outside my own team,” continued Claire Astle, Director, Communications. “It’s like having your own cheerleader as well, which is really motivating. I’ve never had official mentoring before but it’s now something I wouldn’t be without as I continue my career journey.”
Leona Houghton, VP Safety, mentors Claire. She explained: “Mentoring is a two-way partnership between mentor and mentee, benefiting both parties involved. Helping to guide and develop talented individuals is enormously rewarding. I was honoured to be asked to mentor and the mutual benefit has been evident throughout. It provides a safe space to discuss, really be your authentic self and explore options and possibilities. I encourage everyone to think about how mentoring could help them in their personal development."
Thank you to all our colleagues who signed up to be mentors and those who have been open to mentoring themselves. We hope to add more to the pool in 2025 and look forward to more success stories as these relationships develop. CEO Marc Princen is also a firm believer in mentoring:
"We have such a nimble and talented group of colleagues and I encourage everyone to get involved, either becoming a mentor or seeking one. It is this collaborative spirit that makes us who we are, supports our continued success and helps us to make an impact on colleagues and patients every day.”
Etienne Claessens
Chief People Officer