This January, professionals from the UK’s battery sector gathered for the Innovate UK and Stemazing’s battery sector mentoring event in Kew Gardens.
The day was a gathering for two cohorts of mentors and mentees, who had, until then, primarily connected through screens. It was a day filled with networking, workshops on workplace dynamics, and inspiring talks from industry leaders. But the main mission was to ensure the UK’s battery revolution is powered by a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Importance of mentorship
The event was a collaboration between Innovate UK and Stemazing, a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to inspiration and inclusion in STEM. For Alex Knight, CEO and Founder of Stemazing, the mission is personal. Having spent 20 years as an engineer, she founded the organisation to ensure women in STEM don’t just enter the field but stay and succeed.
“Mentoring is a catalyst. As a mentee, it builds confidence and opens doors. But critically, it validates the mentor’s own worth and experience. It’s a mutual win-win that benefits the industry as a whole,” she said.
The focus on the battery sector is vital. As the world pivots toward green energy, the battery industry is a global frontline for innovation and a key part of the UK government’s Industrial Strategy. However, women remain significantly underrepresented in engineering and manufacturing. “We need diverse talent for innovation. If you don’t have mentors you can relate to or allies who understand the barriers, it’s hard to see a future for yourself in the industry,” Alex explained.
Bridging the gap from digital to physical
While the mentoring programme runs successfully online, the desire for a physical meetup came directly from the participants. Amy Ingham-Waite, Knowledge Transfer Manager for the Energy Sector at Innovate UK Business Connect, highlighted the importance of these face-to-face connections.
“The mentors and mentees really wanted the opportunity to take the relationships they developed online and have more in-depth conversations,” Amy said.
While Innovate UK offers grants like the £75,000 Women in Leadership Fund, Amy believes mentoring is the best way of supporting those first movers who are still finding their footing. “It’s about creating a more equitable, values-driven future where we can all contribute across the UK.”
The mentee perspective
For Amanda Sharp, Digital Transformation Manager at MSP Technologies, the programme has been invaluable. Despite being an experienced professional, she is currently in her second term as a mentee, proving that growth has no age limit.
“It’s great to have a person who is not inside my company but understands the sector. I can speak to her about things I wouldn’t be able to discuss with people internally. It’s like an in-between stopgap, a way to have my thoughts and ideas reviewed before I put them forward.”
Amanda’s advice to those hesitant about joining. “Don’t hesitate. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain, whether it’s job confidence or personal career growth.”
The mentor perspective
The program isn’t just for women; it relies on allies of all genders to foster an inclusive culture. Dylan Maxwell, a Senior Scientist at Nyobolt, joined as a mentor to pay forward the positive environment he experienced during his PhD under scientist Clare Grey.
“I see the value in promoting gender equality in batteries,” Dylan said. “Having that balance and different viewpoints really drives creation. It makes for a positive environment where people care about each other’s success.”
For Dylan, there have been major benefits. He has been able to improve his own leadership skills and expand his professional circle. “The network has been a huge part of it. Today has been really interesting, meeting new people and hearing how they’ve overcome common work issues.”
A sustainable future
As the event ended, the consensus among attendees was clear: the battery sector is about more than just chemistry and manufacturing, it’s about people. For Stemazing and Innovate UK, the partnership is ensuring that the future of UK energy is not just powerful, but inclusive.
Alex summarised the day: “Helping someone help themselves is the ultimate goal. It’s about empowerment so they can go on to reach even higher heights and, eventually, pay it forward.”
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