Retail Mentoring Programme Opens Applications for 2025

Applications for Brand Licensing Europe’s 2025 Retail Mentoring Programme close on Dec. 27, giving retailers just weeks to secure one of the limited places.

Buyers, marketers, merchandisers and designers from leading retail chains participated in the 2024 Programme including The Works, Forbidden Planet, Iceland and Calendar Club, all of which were new this year. Returning retailers included groups from John Lewis, New Look, Marks & Spencer, Tesco, HMV and more. BLE’s Retail Mentoring Programme – which enters its 15th year in 2025 – is a free CPD-accredited course that educates qualifying retailers on the who, how and why of brand licensing, helping to improve their licensing strategy, enhance their CV and career path and develop relationships with fellow retailers, leading brand owners and agents.  

The 2025 RMP delegates’ first event will be the Licensing for Retail Conference, which takes place in London and will focus on showcasing the potential of brand licensing. The Programme concludes with attendance at Brand Licensing Europe, Oct. 7-9 at ExCeL, London. 

The 2025 Retail Mentoring Programme includes:  

Related:Record-Breaking Attendance Makes Brand Licensing Europe 2024 the Biggest in History

“Brand Licensing Europe has just enjoyed a record-breaking year and our retail numbers were especially strong,” says Laura Freedman-Dagg, head of retail, Global Licensing Group. “The Mentoring Programme plays an important role in that. We work hard every day to show retailers that our show is for and about retail and the work never stops when it comes to engaging new attendees. We’ve invested heavily in our Retail Mentoring Programme over the last few years and its popularity is growing.

“We already have a strong waiting list for the 2025 Programme, so I’d urge interested parties to get in touch ASAP. I would love to see more new retailers participate in 2025 to continue to bring new companies and categories into the world of brand licensing.”  

Retailers already confirmed for the 2025 Programme include John Lewis, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, The Works, FatFace, Asda, MY 1st Years, New Look and Marks & Spencer.

Do I qualify for the Retail Mentoring Programme?

The following people are all invited to apply for a place on the 2025 Programme before applications close. Access the 2025 Retail Mentoring Programme form here.

*Please note that this course is designed for employees of established, multi-site retailers with the capacity to introduce or add new high-profile licensing programs.

What retailers said about the 2024 Retail Mentoring Programme         

“I have personally found the BLE Retail Mentoring Programme to be incredibly interesting and I’ve had a blast doing it,” says Byron Williamson, junior buyer pop culture, HMV. “It has expanded my knowledge of how licenses work, what you can do with each individual license in terms of expansion and collaboration and what to expect from licensors. Not only is it an exceptional way to network with others but it also allows you to work with key companies in the licensing world, attend seminars and learn from others how to best get started in this ever-changing world we work in.”

“I loved the Programme and I am really glad I did it, it gave me such an amazing insight to the licensing world, and I came away inspired and immediately understanding what new areas I wanted to focus on within my role at work,” says Katie Burnet, card buyer, Card Factory.

“I would recommend this scheme to anyone, whether they’re directly or indirectly involved in licensing, to give them a better insight into a growing market of possibility,” says Jamie Sloan, exclusive brands account manager, Iceland.

“Being part of the Programme has helped me to immerse myself in the licensing world, learn new ways of working alongside some great opportunities to network,” says Francesca Theobold, John Lewis.

“The Retail Mentoring Programme provided me with invaluable insight into the retail licensing sector, both from a retailer and a licensor perspective,” says Emily Howe, media manager, DFS. “The time I spent with brands provided me with well-rounded knowledge, which will assist me in my career.”

“The Programme was a great insight into the world of licensing, from getting to experience a day in one of the brands to meeting a vast number of contacts in the industry,” says Megan Espley, assistant buyer boyswear, Marks & Spencer. “The course is a useful way to expand or build your knowledge but also get you excited and inspired about all the licensing out there.”

“My experience on the Retail Mentoring Programme has been fascinating, collaborative and great fun,” says Rachael Buck, assistant buyer men’s knitwear and outerwear, Sainsbury’s. “I would recommend it to anyone working in licensing whether you are a buyer, designer or merchandiser or another role, it’s a great way to learn more about the world of licensing.”

Apply for the 2025 Retail Mentoring Programme.

Learn more about Brand Licensing Europe’s Retail Mentoring Programme.

Watch: Laura Freedman-Dagg, head, retail, The Global Licensing Group, discusses the impact of retail, in a recent interview with License Global.