Winners announced for the 2009 Yell and horsesmouth Mentoring Works Awards

The potential for online mentoring to unlock and use the wisdom of older, experienced and retired professionals is demonstrated today by the winners of the Yell and horsesmouth Mentoring Works Awards. The three awards for business mentoring, which were drawn from user nominations on horsesmouth have all been won by individuals over the age of 50.

As the Government seeks to get millions of older people online to enjoy the benefits as part of the Digital Inclusion agenda, these award winners remind us of the contribution that older people can make to the wisdom of the crowd, and specifically of how enjoyable and rewarding an activity online mentoring can be.

The winner of the coveted £1000 Mentor of The Year Award is 64-year old Keith Williams from Ackworth in Yorkshire, who uses the horsesmouth alias ‘KWilliams’. A SFEDI (Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative) accredited professional, Keith advises small businesses and social enterprises, but he is also a volunteer mentor on horsesmouth.co.uk which allows him to support people who could not afford to hire him, or who he could never geographically meet. Having created and developed many successful businesses in the last 20 years, Keith has made plenty of mistakes and learned from them. Today, he believes he can pass on this learning to young entrepreneurs on the way up and that horsesmouth is a safe and convenient way to do that. 

Commenting on the win, Keith said: “I am honoured to have been nominated and to have won this award, and believe it shows real recognition of the value people like me can offer on the horsesmouth website.

“I was keen – from the outset – to help younger people avoid some of the classic business mistakes. I would really encourage anyone who can to offer their experience and time mentoring through this medium. Not only will they be helping their mentees to become better business people faster, but the gratitude received in return will provide a real sense of fulfilment.”

One of the horsesmouth members who nominated Keith, was 38-year old Kauser Parveen, who commented: “...with his no nonsense style he was able to provide confidence and guidance as well as additional contacts and resources.”

Winner of The £500 Editor’s Prize, for the most inspiring story published on horsesmouth.co.uk, is 51-year old Jayne Bellis from Chester whose horsemouth alias is Pennysmart. The £500 M-Factor Award – for the most active business mentor with the highest rating on the site, goes to 52-year old Michael Birchmore (alias Quigon) from Portsmouth.