ITFA Martin Ashurst Trade Finance Mentoring Scheme – 2021

It is that time of the year again – we are calling on all prospective mentors and mentees to join the 2021 cohort of the ITFA Martin Ashurst Trade Finance Mentoring Scheme. We are aiming to launch this year’s programme on the 12^th March, coinciding with the forthcoming ITFA Emerging Leaders (“EL”) Webinar on vaccine rollout. Expressions of interest from prospective mentors and mentees should be submitted by Sunday 7^th March.
 
This year the EL team worked hard again on making the scheme ever more attractive for both mentors and mentees and we are introducing new initiatives to increase the added value for those participating, such as:

• Kick-off webinar / live event to meet everyone and talk through best practices of mentoring
• Regular best practices sessions to guide the ongoing mentoring relationship
• One-to-one support for mentors
• Cross-mentoring opportunities for mentees (having access to more than one mentor for different skill sets – upon request)
• Dedicated online/presential networking opportunities within the community
• Closed LinkedIn group connecting mentors and mentees
• Selected community members to feature in the ITFA Newsletter and/or tradexplain.com
• Access to selected ITFA education materials to support the mentoring process and career positioning
• Full access to ITFA EL events

We are also aiming to organise a closing celebration towards the end of 2021, where mentors and mentees will come together and share experiences. The preference will be to do a live event, subject to current restrictions being lifted.
 
Who are we looking for?

• Mentors: relevant experience in trade finance, regardless of the specialist background, combined with a sense of fulfilment for empowering others with knowledge about the industry. No requirement for mentors to be ITFA members provided that they are referred by one if they are not.
• Mentees: students, existing professionals in other industries or other areas of banking, existing professionals in trade finance, all with a desire to get to know about trade finance as an exciting career path. Mentees are naturally also not required to be employed by an ITFA member. Please express your interest only if you really want to participate (we have had instances in the past where mentees applied and then did not follow through, which was an unpleasant experience for their mentors).

How is the mentoring process and how long should it last? (more details will be provided during the initial web briefing)

• Programme will run until the end of the year to allow mentors and mentees to develop a solid relationship
• Format is extremely flexible and can be agreed between mentors and mentees to suit their schedules and preferences
• Discussions should revolve around trade finance and opportunities in trade finance but experience tells us that mentoring often empowers participants much beyond careers
• No maximum number of meetings but we recommend a minimum of two

What happens next?

• Send an email to duarte.pedreira@crownagentsbank.com to register your interest and clearly state: whether you are participating as a mentor or as a mentee + any particular areas you would like to focus on; the deadline to apply is Sunday 7^th March
• We will collate all the information received and match mentors and mentees
• Emails introducing mentors and mentees will be sent on or around the 12^th March
• The process begins straight away and we will schedule the kick off webinar

This programme has impacted over 100 people since its creation and helped shape many trade finance careers. More than that, it has created life long friendships between mentors and mentees, which is at the heart of what ITFA represents.
 
Be a part of our 2021 community!