Coaching and mentoring are development approaches based on the use of one-to-one conversations to enhance an individual’s skills, knowledge or work performance. It’s possible to draw distinctions between coaching and mentoring although in practice the two terms are often used interchangeably.
The East of England Finance Academy is keen to support individuals in accessing mentoring and coaching support, as well as encouraging relevant individuals to take part in the Sponsorship programme. Information on the difference between mentoring and coaching, and how to apply for a coach or mentor is given below.
What is Sponsorship?
Sponsorship is similar to coaching and mentoring but has more of a focus on career development with the sponsor being someone in a senior position who is able to help open doors and make introductions. The One NHS Finance Sponsorship programme has been established to support individuals from under-represented groups.
The Sponsorship Programme is for colleagues with protected characteristics
If you are eligible find out more and request a Sponsor
Find out more and sign up hereWhat is Mentoring ?
Mentoring in the workplace describes a relationship in which a more experienced colleague shares their greater knowledge to support the development of an inexperienced individual. It calls on the skills of questioning, listening, clarifying and reframing that are associated with coaching.
One key distinction is that mentoring relationships tend to be longer term than coaching arrangements. In a succession planning scenario, a regional finance director might be mentored by a group level counterpart over a lengthy period to develop a sound approach to dealing with the board, presenting to analysts and challenging budgets.
Mentoring relationships work best when they move beyond the directive approach of a senior colleague ‘telling it how it is’. An effective mentoring relationship is where there are learning opportunities for both participants, encouraging joint sharing and learning.
The Mentoring Programme is co-ordinated by One NHS Finance.
Find out more and request a mentor
Sign up and find out more hereWhat is Coaching?
Coaching aims to produce optimal performance and improvement at work. It focuses on specific skills and goals, and may also have an impact on an individual’s personal attributes such as social interaction or confidence. The process typically lasts for a defined period of time or forms the basis of an on-going management style.
Although there’s a lack of agreement among coaching professionals about precise definitions, there are some generally agreed characteristics of coaching in organisations:
- It’s essentially a non-directive form of development focusing on improving performance and developing an individual.
- Personal factors may be included but the emphasis is on performance at work.
- Coaching activities have both organisational and individual goals, for individuals to assess their strengths and development areas.
- It’s a skilled activity, which should be delivered by line managers and others trained in coaching skills.
The Finance Academy is providing funding for coaching support via HFMA, which has been extended into 2026. Please register your interest if you would like to apply for a free place.
To register your interest in coaching or to be linked with a mentor please send an email to tracy.smith@hfma.org.uk expressing your interest and providing the following information:
- Name
- Job title
- Organisation and ICS
- A short paragraph on why you’re applying and what you hope to achieve through the coaching or mentoring
Interview Preparation with a Coach
In response to requests for support with job interviews, the academy is offering the opportunity for individuals to have a session with a coach as part of their interview preparation. These will typically be a single coaching session in the run up to an interview. If you would like to request this support please email tracy.smith@hfma.org.uk copying in jane.payling@eastamb.nhs.uk and we will try to accommodate your request wherever possible. Please give us as much notice as possible, advising the date of the interview and attaching the job description for the role.
(These free sessions are available to staff applying for NHS finance roles or for staff applying for roles outside the NHS where they are displaced due to organisational change – please contact Jane if you want to check eligibility)