BCC Launches Emerging Leaders Mentorship Programme in Luxembourg

The British Chamber of Commerce for Luxembourg (BCC) has announced the launch of the pilot cohort of its Emerging Leaders Mentorship Programme, recently introduced in Luxembourg.

According to the BCC, the kickoff session took place on Tuesday 24 March 2026 and was hosted by EY Luxembourg in Luxembourg-Kirchberg. The initial cohort is designed as a pilot phase, allowing organisers to test, refine and optimise the programme, with the objective of welcoming a larger number of mentor-mentee pairs in future editions.

The programme is structured as a six-month initiative aimed at supporting high-potential professionals through one-to-one mentoring, while fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing across Luxembourg’s broader business ecosystem. The kickoff session brought mentors and mentees together for the first time, creating a “constructive and open environment” in which participants could align on expectations, objectives and their approach for the months ahead.

Participants were introduced to the programme’s objectives, timeline and working principles, including regular meetings, monthly check-ins and ad hoc workshops. Emphasis was placed on mentoring as a “two-way partnership” rather than a top-down relationship, grounded in mutual trust, curiosity and commitment. Clear roles were outlined, with mentors expected to guide, listen and challenge, while mentees are encouraged to actively drive the relationship and follow through on agreed actions.

The first workshop, led by Katie MacWilliams, Assistant Director, Talent Attraction and Acquisition at EY Luxembourg, focused on building a professional brand. Topics included defining a professional brand, understanding target audiences, building professional relationships with intention, articulating a clear personal narrative and using platforms such as LinkedIn in a professional context. The session highlighted that a professional brand is “not static”, but developed over time through deliberate choices and behaviours.

The second workshop, led by Genevieve Machin, former NSPA Head of Human Resources, focused on mentoring relationships in practice, presenting mentoring as a “confidential, development-focused partnership”. Participants explored key principles including active listening, asking open-ended questions, building trust and maintaining regular engagement, as well as clarifying expectations from the outset.

The BCC noted that the Emerging Leaders Mentorship Programme reflects its broader commitment to talent development beyond its membership, aiming to support a more connected, inclusive and resilient business environment in Luxembourg, while encouraging cross-generational and cross-sector collaboration.

The initiative is led by the BCC Emerging Leaders Group, chaired by Juan Gasca Aristeguieta, Chair of the Emerging Leaders Group and Council Member of the BCC, with support from Yulia Kulakova (Vice-Chair), Natalia Yaneva (Vice-Chair) and Roberto Baptista, whose collective efforts made the pilot programme possible, the BCC also added.