Audit Executive Emma Spackman shares how mentoring through the Empowering Girls programme is building confidence, opening career possibilities, and shaping brighter futures for young women - and mentors alike.
Can you tell us a little about your role at Bishop Fleming?
I’m an Audit Executive based in our Exeter office, supporting organisations across a range of sectors by delivering efficient, insightful audits. I joined Bishop Fleming as an apprentice and have since completed my ICAEW Chartered Accountant qualification.
Being part of the largest team at Bishop Fleming means I work with a wide variety of people, as every audit team is different. I enjoy the collaborative nature of the role and the opportunity it gives me to learn from others while helping clients achieve their goals.
What inspired you to take part as a mentor in the Empowering Girls initiative?
I wanted to get involved in the Empowering Girls programme because it was a meaningful way to support girls as they start to think about their futures and the opportunities available to them. I wanted to help the future generation of girls to start fulfilling their potential. Starting to think about this at a young age is beneficial, as it can help guide their choices at this stage and in planning for the future.
When I was their age, I didn’t have a clear idea of what career would suit me, and I would have really benefited from having a role model to talk through ideas with. It’s an honour to be able to offer that support now. I’ve never been the most confident person, but I’ve grown in confidence over time, and I wanted to help the girls begin developing theirs. I also felt this experience would continue to support my own personal growth.
What has your experience of mentoring Year 9 girls been like so far?
I mentored over the last term and found it very rewarding. Care is taken to match the mentee with the right mentor based on interests, and although our career aspirations were quite different, we quickly bonded over a mutual love of reading, baking and TV shows!
My mentee gave her full attention to every session and really embraced the opportunity, which was wonderful to see. The school was also very supportive, organising the sessions and ensuring she could attend without missing any core lessons – making the whole experience positive and impactful for both of us.
How can mentoring help build confidence and raise aspirations for the girls you support?
The programme gives mentees time to explore the possibilities open to them and to talk through their ideas with someone impartial, there to support and encourage them to stretch their ambitions and dreams. I saw my mentee grow noticeably in confidence. She also really valued having dedicated one‑to‑one time to talk with an adult – something she doesn’t often get, and a benefit of the programme that I had initially overlooked until she mentioned it.
By the end of the programme, mentees are more aware of the career options available to them and, importantly, begin to feel that these paths are genuinely attainable.
What have you personally gained or learned from being involved in the programme?
While the programme is excellent for mentees, I also found it a very beneficial experience myself. Supporting my mentee also prompted me to reflect on my own goals, aspirations, and values – both during and outside of the sessions. One of the sessions included coming up with some positive affirmations, and I still regularly think of a couple that my mentee came up with.
Additionally, it adds some variability to the work week and an opportunity to step back from the day-to-day to focus on someone else and their future for a period each week.
Why do you think initiatives like Empowering Girls are so important for improving diversity and gender balance in the workplace?
Girls should never be held back simply because they are unaware of the opportunities available or lack the confidence to consider them. Empowering Girls reaches young women at a formative age, when they’re making choices about their study subjects and considering their future pathways. The programme gives them the chance to explore what’s possible and identify steps they can take now that may shape their future.
The programme involves mapping out their dreams and identifying achievable steps to help them reach those goals, both in the short and long term, providing active steps they can put in place right away.
What would you say to others who are considering getting involved in mentoring or supporting the next generation of female talent?
It is a fantastic opportunity to develop your mentoring skills while delivering meaningful impact in our local community. You don’t have to know everything or think you’ve got everything worked out yourself to mentor, so don’t let this hold you back from volunteering!
I’d absolutely encourage anyone who can to get involved, whether this is through Empowering Girls or another worthwhile initiative.
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