Date and time
Application closing date
Friday 16 October 2026 16:00
Location
In person, Manchester City Centre
Contact email
hello@helptogrowmentor.comThe National Mentoring Matters Conference 2026
About this event
Two perspectives. One future. Discover how human insight and artificial intelligence can shape the next generation of mentoring
Our theme for the 2026 National Mentoring Matters Conference is: The Future of Mentoring: Human Intelligence Meets Artificial Intelligence.
This year's Conference will bring together mentors, small business leaders, programme partners, mentoring professionals and thought leaders across the UK to celebrate the impact of mentoring. Together we will challenge perceptions, spark debate and inspire fresh thinking about how human and artificial intelligence can work together to shape the future of mentoring.
As technology continues to reshape the way we learn, work and lead, mentoring is entering an exciting new era. AI is creating new opportunities to enhance learning, development and decision-making, while the human qualities that underpin great mentoring, including experience, empathy, trust and judgement, remain as important as ever.
The conference will explore how mentors can embrace emerging technologies while preserving the relationships that make mentoring such a powerful driver of personal and business growth. Through expert insights, practical discussions and real-world examples, we will examine the growing influence of AI on leadership development, business resilience and the future of mentoring.
Keynote speakers
This year, attendees will experience a unique keynote format exploring the conference theme from two very different perspectives.
One conference. Two perspectives.
A conversation about the future of mentoring that you won't want to miss.
Your Host 
View the highlights from last year's National Mentoring Matters Conference 2025 by clicking here.
Who should attend?- Current Help to Grow mentors looking to share best practices, gain fresh insights and learn from their peers
- Mentors looking to expand their network and connect with a diverse community of mentors from a range of industries and business backgrounds
- Active business mentors or someone considering becoming a business mentor
- Those interested in the topic of mentoring and how it contributes to the growth of the UK economy
- Business schools delivering the Help to Grow: Management Course
What's next?
To secure your place for this free national conference on Tuesday 20 October 2026, simply click the Register button to the top right of this page.
Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. It's an opportunity not to be missed!
Please note: doors open at 10:00 for registration and networking. Conference sessions will start at 10:30, and the event will close at 15:00.
Contact us
Have a question about the event? Email our team at hello@helptogrowmentor.com.
Not already a mentor? Click here to find out more about the Help to Grow: Management Course and the benefits of being a volunteer mentor.
The national mentoring element of the Help to Grow: Management Course is being delivered by a partnership of Newable Advice, Enterprise Nation and the Association of Business Mentors on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.
This Help to Grow Management Course event is planned and delivered by Newable Advice in partnership with Enterprise Nation and the Association of Business Mentors on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.
A range of data points must be collected during the registration process to confirm your place on the event. Newable will retain your records for no longer than is necessary and in accordance with our privacy notice. You can see our full privacy policy here.
Newable will not share your data with any other third parties that are not involved with the delivery of the event or funding of the project. Newable will share your personal data and business information with these delivery partners, information regarding the use and processing of personal data by partners can be found using the following links: Enterprise Nation and the Association of Business Mentors.
Please note this event or part of it may be filmed by audio, visual, audio-visual or electronic means or photographed, including photographs of individuals or groups of delegates.
By attending this event, you agree to permit Newable and the event organisers and/or partners listed above, or any third party licensed by Newable, to use and distribute such footage and photographs, which may feature images of You, in all or any media (including the internet and social media) whether now known or hereafter to be invented throughout the world in perpetuity for the purposes of advertising, publicity, reporting and otherwise in relation to the exploitation of such recordings and photographs.
Please inform the event organisers and the videographer/photographer on the event day if you do not wish to be included in any individual or group photographs.
Additional details
Date:
Tuesday 20 October 2026
Timings:
Registration & networking: 10:00
Conference start: 10:30
Conference close: 15:00
Location:
The National Mentoring Matters Conference 2026 will take place in Manchester City Centre at:
The Edwardian Hotel Manchester
Free Trade Hall
Peter Street
Manchester
M2 5GP