The mentor is a resource to the owner-manager to help identify solutions to obstacles arising in the business or highlight opportunities that the mentee may have previously been unaware of.

The role of the mentor is to:

  • Listen
  • Advise
  • Provide suggestions to overcome challenges identified by the business

The service is completely confidential and the mentor effectively acts as a “sounding board” who can identify courses for action for consideration by the business involved. Whilst the mentor will suggest approaches to solving problems, their role is not to deliver these actions for the business, as they are not a consultant and cannot become involved in running the business in any way. Mentor Mayo is here to offer encouragement, support, suggestions, and advice.

Mentor backgrounds

Our mentors at Mentor Mayo are people with extensive expertise and experience in Ireland and internationally as entrepreneurs, senior business managers and consultants. They are also interested in sharing their knowledge with other Mayo business people who are starting up new businesses or looking to grow or diversify their existing businesses. As you will see from the sample of mentor profiles below, the knowledge available includes all aspects of business management. We will continue to add new mentors to cover as wide a range of business sectors and specialities as possible.

Here is a sample of our mentor profiles:

CEO of Retail Group with over 30 years’ experience in the business, whose main responsibilities are the strategic direction of group including diversification and on-line sales.

Financial Director and Business Systems Consultant, with experience at both multinational and Irish owned companies in the Medical/Pharma, Agri Food, Textile and Energy sectors for over 40 years, as well as co-founding three start-up companies.

Founder & CEO of own company based in Mayo and growing successfully in international markets. A Mechanical Engineer by profession, he set up his company after identifying a market opportunity for a product in the hospitality industry. He has subsequently gone on to develop a range of other products for the larger recycling industry and is now recognised as one of the leaders in that space.

HR Director in the Pharmaceutical industry in Ireland and Europe with experience in all aspects of human resource management for manufacturing and also for some commercial areas. Worked as Country Manager for the Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland) and UK with responsibilities for commercial, regulatory and R&D activities.

Business leader and executive coach with over 20 years’ experience as owner / manager of a multi – store retail business. Grew the business in a competitive and busy market with emphasis on employee engagement, excellent customer care and developing relationships with corporate partners.

IT Manager with a strong background in start-up operations for a number of companies in Ireland. Extensive experience in the areas of facilities management, particularly with green field sites. With an understanding of cost management effectiveness and using technology to gain a competitive edge in business.

Managing Director of his own consultancy business bringing in a variety of projects with national and international organisations. Oversaw the operations of several departments within the global healthcare industry bringing extensive experience in business strategy, organisation design and development, business process re-engineering, human resources and employee engagement.

Owner and Director of a consulting company drawing experience from his career working in the multinational sector of Food/Pharma/Med Tech industries. Extensive experience in sales growth and business expansion and new product launch on an international scale.

Website and online marketing strategist having delivered web projects for some of the world’s largest organisations to smaller owner operated businesses. Through applying proven processes and techniques, he has assisted over 500 businesses identify and remove bottlenecks limiting potential sales and target ideal markets and convert them into customers.

An experienced sales and marketing practitioner, lecturer and founder of her own family run food business. Assisting small and medium businesses seeking advice on the brand development process – from identity through to developing a marketing strategy with digital and traditional methods.

Business advisor drawing from over 20 years working with new ventures and small business development to identify key priorities across strategy, marketing and social media, finance, funding and building a team.

A leading entrepreneur and businessman, having successfully grown his business in Ireland and is expanding internationally, with extensive experience in manufacturing and sales in other continents.

Managing Director of own private company, who also previously worked in the pharmaceutical sector, with experience in selling, marketing, finance, HR, distribution. Specialist knowledge in dealing with pharmacists and members of the medical and pharmaceutical professions, along with the key influencers and decision makers within that market.

Finance Manager for two Irish manufacturing sites including one in Co. Mayo. Extensive experience in finance, strategy and business planning, as well as internationally working in a variety of geographic locations leading strategic planning and business continuity processes.

Retail & Business banking for 40 years. Has experience as Branch Manager and latterly a Senior Manager with responsibility for managing portfolios of the Bank’s SME Customers. A key part of the job included engaging with companies in the SME Sector at all stages from Start-Ups to established businesses.

With over 20 years working in a leading US multinational software provider in Ireland and the UK, his knowledge spans enterprise sales management, business systems and operations, process improvement and development. Having served on the Executive Council of the Irish Software Association, his motivation was on building networks for member companies, especially between established companies and start-ups.

Over 35 years working in the banking sector with key experiences in managing debt and financial challenges effectively. Available to suggest how arrangements can be put in place to recover outstanding debt.

Leading businessman with over 35 years experience in the retail sector, having successfully developed a number of outlets and expanding his retail venture to an online market. Specialist knowledge in business planning, general business management and sales.

High calibre business consultant with extensive experience in devising, delivering, facilitating and managing technical and business support programmes for a range of SME enterprises. Specific experience in cross-border innovation and technology transfer programmes, business networks and the food industry.

With 35 years’ experience in the export and importation of goods and services he will be able to advise on the principles and practice of moving goods over borders, particularly in the context of Brexit. He has been delivering Brexit clinics since 2018 which has proven invaluable to many small business owners seeking answers on how to manage a sustainable business post Brexit.

Working in the area of Digital Marketing and social media for over 10 years has developed an international standing as one of the most influential in this field. Has trained and coached a variety of businesses on the advantages of utilising this resource with an expertise in the Tourism sector.