Learn from someone who has
faced similar challenges.
IRDG mentoring pairs people doing R&D and innovation in member companies with senior practitioners who have already made the journey — through the structured Cross-Sector Mentoring Programme, and through one-to-one mentor matches around a live challenge.
The programme
A cross-sectoral programme for mid-career R&D&I professionals.
The Cross-Sector Mentoring Programme pairs mid-career people working in research, development and innovation with senior practitioners from other member companies. Each mentor brings a different blend of experience and perspective, and the pairing deliberately looks beyond your own sector — a different viewpoint is usually the point.
Mentees review the mentor panel and select five people they could work with, which is what makes a good match likely. Allow one to two hours a month for preparation, conversation and follow-up, over a maximum of six months.
Who it is for
Who it is for.
Mid-career, inside a member company
You work for an IRDG member company, have at least four years' experience, and can commit to the structure and timing of the programme.
Register interest →Senior practitioners with a strategic remit
You work for an IRDG member company, bring ten to fifteen or more years of professional experience and a strategic remit in your organisation. Previous mentoring experience is not essential.
Offer to mentor →The commitment
The time commitment.
The programme is designed around people with full-time delivery jobs.
- Pre-mentoring briefing session
- 2 hours, once
- Mentoring conversations — preparation, the conversation and follow-up
- 1–2 hours a month, for a maximum of six months
- Programme evaluation survey
- 30 minutes
How a cycle runs
The 2026 cycle, stage by stage.
The 2026 cycle is under way. Interest registered now is held for the next cycle — and the standing mentor match further down runs at any time of year.
February – April
Interest is gathered and mentor and mentee profiles are completed.
April – May
Mentees review the mentor profiles and select five preferences.
May
Mentor–mentee pairings are confirmed and the briefing session is held.
June
Mentoring begins — up to six meetings over six months.
November – December
Final mentor–mentee sessions.
December
Programme evaluation survey.
The 2026 panel
Mentor profiles are shared privately.
Profiles are shared privately with eligible mentees as part of the matching process. Contact the programme team to ask about access.
Outside the cycle
Mentoring for a specific challenge.
You can also ask IRDG for an introduction to an experienced innovation leader outside the annual programme, at any time of year. We consider the experience needed, availability and potential conflicts before proposing a match. Tell us the outcome you need rather than every confidential detail.
Next step
Tell us the step you want to take — as a mentee or a mentor.
Mentoring is an IRDG member service, subject to capacity and a suitable match. If you are not yet a member, start with a membership conversation. Your enquiry goes to Bernadette McGahon, Director of Innovation Services, who runs the programme.