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Santander International Opens Applications for Women Business Leaders Mentoring Programme

Prime Highlights

  • Santander International has opened applications for female founders and business owners in the Isle of Man to join its mentoring programme.
  • The scheme supports leadership development through structured mentoring and expert-led online training.

Key Facts

  • The programme runs from April to November and has supported nearly 1,200 women since 2019 in partnership with Moving Ahead.
  • Applications close on March 9 and are open to women-led businesses trading for at least 18 months.

Background

Santander International has opened applications for its Women Business Leaders mentoring programme, inviting female founders and business owners in the Isle of Man to take part in this year’s scheme.

Now in its eighth year, the programme runs from April to November and aims to strengthen leadership skills among women at different stages of their business journey. Since launching in 2019, the initiative has supported nearly 1,200 female entrepreneurs across the UK and Crown Dependencies. It is delivered in partnership with Moving Ahead.

Kirsty Lamond, head of retail banking at Santander International, said the bank hopes to attract 100 new mentees this year from the UK, Jersey, and the Isle of Man. Applicants must be female founders, business owners, or majority shareholders who have been trading for at least 18 months.

Mentoring sessions take place remotely, allowing mentors and mentees to be matched based on experience and business needs rather than location. Participants receive monthly one-to-one mentoring and access to interactive online training sessions.

Ruth Cooil, founder of Douglas-based Ruth Cooil Physiotherapy, joined the programme last year. She said the experience helped her develop a clear business plan, hire staff, and set long-term goals. She described her mentor as supportive and honest, offering both encouragement and challenge.

Santander also provides additional “Beyond Mentoring” sessions covering finance, marketing, digital skills and sustainability. The bank is also seeking experienced business leaders, both male and female, to apply as mentors.

Applications for the programme close on March 9.