Speed Mentoring 2026
Speed Mentoring 2025
We are excited to inform you of our flagship WOHAA event: Speed Mentoring 2026.
Saturday, 28th February 2026
1:30 – 4:30pm
Nuffield Hall, London Business School, Regent’s Park, NW1 4RG
Now in its 14th year, this unique event brings together professionals from approximately 40 different industries for an afternoon of fast-paced, honest career conversations.
Students will have the opportunity to move between tables every 15 minutes, hearing from inspiring mentors and asking the questions that matter to you.
FREE for WOHAA 2025/26 participants, and something we would love for you to take full advantage of.
Non-WOHAA students are welcome to attend for a £10 fee
We have a wide array of mentors coming from the industries below, with more being confirmed:
Accountancy, Finance, Law, Medicine/Health, PR/Events, Entrepreneurship/Business/Startup, Languages, Oxbridge, Economics, Politics, Engineering, Technology, Music and Drama, Journalism and Writing, Design and Fashion, Health and Fitness, Travel, and International Study.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to explore future careers and build connections!
Tickets are on a First Come First Served Basis
Why we run speed mentoring?
“It is always an ambitious task to get as many mentors as possible in one room who represent a broad range of careers – this year we were delighted to host wonderful mentors from a variety of backgrounds. The below “industry” names don’t do enough justice to the breadth and depth of experiences these mentors have. Many have taken gap years, switched degrees, or not had any degrees at all,” says Smruti Sri Ram, organiser of the event. “And that’s perfectly fine! Life and the world of work is not straightforward, and it is important to recognise all aspects of work that enrich you – that improve your mind, body, our planet, and our general wellbeing -it’s not all about your pay slip at the end of the month.”
Smruti Sri Ram - Business & Entrepreneurship
Hi I am Smruti, and I am delighted to present the 13th Speed Mentoring for Wings of Hope. I went to school in London, and took a gap year (in which my friends and I started WOHAA, along with my parents!) I studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at the University of Oxford and now help run a sustainable business called Supreme Creations / Bags of Ethics. I work with beauty, design, luxury, retail, and fashion brands to create sustainable packaging. The mission is to encourage businesses and consumers to switch from single-use to reuse. I have a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from London Business School. My passion lies in working with young people, women in leadership, and nature. My current project is called Green Tree Badge aiming to get 1 million young children to learn more about the amazing world of trees.
Katy Wickremsinghe - Communications & Art
Katy Wickremesinghe, Founder KTW & The Wick: Award-winning British Sri Lankan entrepreneur, Katy Wickremesinghe is Founder of The Wick & KTW – a content hub and consultancy - bridging the gap between art, business, and culture, ‘connecting culturally curious’ audiences. She works with global brands, institutions, and collectors to build cultural equity and expand access to the art market. Through The Wick she creates expert content and creative solutions, making art and culture more inclusive and accessible. Driven by a commitment to education and diversity she is a Trustee of the Royal Academy, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Dulwich Picture Gallery and a regular commentator. Katy attended Sydenham High School GDST from 7 – 18 and following this achieved a BA in History from the University of Warwick as well as a Chartered Institute of Marketing Diploma from C.I.M. Photo Credit: RANKIN.
Neha – Medicine
I am a Consultant Urological Surgeon working at The Royal London Hospital - Barts Health, with a subspecialty interest in female, functional and robotic reconstructive urology.
After obtaining A levels in Maths, Chemistry and Biology I studied medicine at the University of Leicester. I completed my higher surgical training in the London Deanery rotating through some of the most prestigious institutions including UCLH, St George’s and Guy’s Hospital and was awarded a gold medal for my performance in the FRCS (Urol) exam. I then spent some time in France further advancing my robotic reconstructive skills.
As a doctor / surgeon, work is a huge part of your life and for that reason you really need to love what you do. The blood, the sweat and the tears but also the joy and rewarding feeling from helping others. A satisfaction like no other.
Outside of work I enjoy exercising, binge watching thrillers and sleeping of course.
Ekta - Pharmacy
Having studied pharmacy at King's College London, I am now a community pharmacist. The profession requires you not only to be an expert in medicines but also to provide as many services as possible to your patients including Smoking Cessation, Vaccinations and treating the new Pharmacy First service to name a few. Pharmacies have taken on many important roles to help ease the burden off GPs and hospitals so you play a valuable role within primary care in the NHS. I’ve always enjoyed science and received A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths.
Outside of Pharmacy I enjoy travelling around the world which you are able to do with more flexible hours as a locum.
I have chosen the community path in pharmacy but I will also discuss the other exciting options available when graduating with a degree in Pharmacy! Please also remember as with any career… Do what you love. If you fall out of love with one path you can always explore others. Look forward to meeting you all.
Rupal – Teaching
Hi I’m Rupal. I’m the founder and lead tutor at Big Brains Tuition. I studied in London, have degrees in Business and Law and then went on to start my own business. It can be really daunting at school, thinking about what to do for the rest of your life but in reality, we all change careers many times. The career you start with is normally just the first step onto a pathway of different occupations and choices. Focus on the subjects that bring out the best in you, follow the opportunities that make you feel excited and bring you a sense of purpose. Come and visit for me for guidance on education, university choices, career prospects, well-being and a big dose of motivation!
Abhinav - Engineering & Tech
My name is Abhinav and I am a big enthusiast of learning things, big or small. By profession, I am an Additive Manufacturing Engineer at Alloyed - a company that specialises in metal 3D printing. My degree in Materials Science from Oxford combined with my passion for automotive design gives me my professional specialities in 3D-modelling and chemical processing. I am looking forward to helping you elevate your professional presentation to the next level! I was a winner of the Wings of Hope Achievement Award many years ago, and delighted to be back to volunteer.
Paul - Finance
Paul was born and lived in Geneva (Switzerland) until the age of sixteen and then moved to the United Kingdom in 2018. He studied Finance at the London Business School in 2024, he currently works in finance in London at Goldman Sachs and prior to that he has done multiple internships in the world of banking and finance. He looks forward to meeting you at the event!
Christopher Evans – Film & Production
Christopher Guy Evans is a film set designer with 11+ years creating immersive worlds for studios such as HBO, Disney and Netflix. He was recently a finalist in the BFDG awards for his work on 'A Gentleman in Moscow'. Alongside film, Chris also consults on narrative-driven branding and spatial design for clients in a breadth of other industries, approaching each creative brief with an acute sensibility to the project's context and a clear, intentional point of view. Chris has a first class degree in architecture from the university of Bath.
Patrick Mc Dowell – Art, Culture & Fashion
Patrick McDowell studied at Central Saint Martins and worked at Burberry before launching their label at London Fashion Week in 2018, with a focus on creativity, sustainability, and circular design. They have since pioneered a made-to-order model using eco-conscious materials, offering redesign and repair services to promote a circular fashion economy. As a strong advocate for education, Patrick mentors students as a Global Ambassador for Graduate Fashion Week and supports scholarships and internships at Central Saint Martins.
In recognition of their work, Patrick was named to the 2025 Forbes Europe 30 Under 30 list and received the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design. They have spoken at the United Nations on sustainable fashion, championing a responsible future for the industry.
“Sustainability is at the core of everything Patrick does, striving to reinvent luxury through a sustainable mindset.” — Anna Wintour, Vogue
Blake Falk – Business & Strategy
Blake Falk is currently a Principal at Amazon MGM Studios, supporting strategy for the studio’s original TV and film productions globally. His experience includes three years as a strategy consultant at Bain & Company in London, as well as three years as an actuary in Chicago. He earned his MBA from London Business School (2018) and graduated with a degree in economics from UNC-Chapel Hill (2013).
FAQ
What do I need?
Notepad and pen for taking notes, drink and snack if required
Does my whole team need to attend?
No, this is a chance for you to network and learn from different experiences of those in a range of industries
Can my parent/guardian come?
Due to a limited spaces, we ask that you travel on your own or with your team members/teachers
DISCLAIMER
- This workshop is delivered by a volunteer for the charity and they are not held responsible for any decisions that any student, parent, guardian, or teacher takes as a consequence for the information given in it.
- The advice is strictly that of the individual providing it and is not related or representative of the institutions they have worked at, studied, or been associated with.
- The advice is strictly confidential and any personal information should not be miscommunicated or misrepresented in any format, anywhere, (please note that this includes but is not limited to verbal communication, written communication, and social media platforms)
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