EMBRACING INNOVATION AND DIVERSITY THROUGH REVERSE MENTORING AT ARRIVA RAIL LONDON
Having a diverse and inclusive culture is at the heart of Arriva Rail London (ARL). However, to help achieve this, the executive team wanted to develop their personal experience of different cultures to help them lead our business in a more inclusive way.
We are proud to announce the completion of our pioneering journey into the world of reverse mentoring which started in May this year. This pilot initiative aimed to harness the wealth of knowledge and fresh perspectives within our diverse workforce.
Bridge the Gap, Unlock Business Potential
Reverse mentoring presented an opportunity for us to bridge the gaps that can sometimes hinder communication and understanding within our organization. By tapping into the energy and fresh perspectives of our employees, we aimed to foster a more inclusive and collaborative environment.
Meet the Pioneers
Over the course of the three-month programme, ARL embarked on a transformative journey with four reverse mentoring pairings:
- Sofena Choudhury and Charlotte Whitfield
- Hakim Bouhedja and Steve Best
- Darnell Casimir and Oli Gant
- Oyinada Odunsanya and Kate Majoribanks
These pairs participated in monthly mentoring sessions, with colleagues taking on the role of mentoring our leadership team. This innovative approach was met with both enthusiasm and challenges, resulting in great learning.
In November 2023, we concluded with the programme end review and one of the key takeaways was a heightened awareness of the vast and diverse talent within ARL.
What’s Next: The Next Cohort of Reverse Mentoring
In our ongoing pursuit of a diverse and inclusive environment, ARL is gearing up to launch the first cohort of our reverse mentoring programme early to mid next year. Stay tuned for more details on the launch date, as we embark on this transformative journey.
Get Inspired!
Curious to hear about the reverse mentoring experience firsthand? Click on the following link to listen to our Toc Talk, providing an overview of how one of our pairings found the reverse mentoring experience: https://learning.arriva.co.uk/totara/dashboard/index.php?id=173.
Use your Arriva Learning credentials to login: your email and current password used to unlock your laptop.
ARL is committed to fostering an environment of inclusivity, innovation and growth. Join us on this exciting journey towards a brighter future!
For more information, stay connected with us on our official channels and keep an eye out for future announcements.