When the Graduate Becomes the Guide: What Happened When Clementine Reverse Mentored Our COO

We believe some of the most powerful conversations happen when we flip the script. That’s exactly what happened when Clementine Thompson, a Graduate Structural Engineer in our UK team, stepped into the role of mentor — and her mentee just happened to be our Chief Operating Officer, Tush Doshi.

This was part of a reverse mentoring programme, an Inclusion & Belonging initiative — which opens up space for early-career voices to be heard, and for leaders to listen deeply and learn.

Over six months and six conversations, Clementine and Tush talked about everything from flexible working and supporting women in engineering to cultural differences and mental health. What started as a structured programme soon became something more personal: a shared space of curiosity, challenge, trust — and genuine connection.

We sat down with them to reflect on the experience — and why it meant so much to both of them.

Clem, what was it like mentoring one of the most senior leaders in the business?

Clementine:

At first, I was nervous. I mean, how often do you get to challenge your COO on big business topics? But Tush created an environment where I felt comfortable to share my views.

We talked about a lot — but one topic I wanted to go deeper on was mental health, especially for Gen Z. The statistics are worrying: in the UK, more people in their 20s are signed off work than in their 40s, and mental health is the biggest cause of workplace absence. It’s tied into so many things — social media, the pandemic, the cost of living.

And there’s a business case too — Deloitte found that for every £1 spent on mental health support, businesses see a £4.70 return in productivity. So it made sense to bring this into the conversation with Tush. And what I appreciated most was that he didn’t brush it off. He listened. We looked at what Kent is already doing well, and we asked where we could go further.

Tush, how did you feel going into this experience — and what surprised you?

Tush:

Honestly? I was nervous too. I’ve had mentors before — consultants, senior people — but never someone just starting out in their career. But I quickly realised Clem had so much insight, both from her life and her role at Kent.

What struck me was how generous and thoughtful she was. She didn’t come in with a list of preconceived ideas— she came in with perspective, ideas, questions. She challenged me, but with respect and curiosity. And I think that’s why it worked.

Did every conversation shift my opinion? Not necessarily. But they did expand my thinking. Clem brought things to light that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise. And that’s so valuable when you're trying to lead a global business — you have to be willing to open yourself up to different perspectives, especially ones you don’t naturally hear every day.

Clem, what did you take away from spending time with Tush?

Clementine:

So much. For one, I now understand more about the pressure and responsibility senior leaders carry. But it also showed me that people like Tush genuinely care. He wasn’t doing this as a tick-box exercise — he was open, honest, and genuinely wanted to learn.

It’s made me feel more connected to Kent. I feel listened to and valued in a way I wouldn’t have expected as a grad. That means a lot.

Tush, would you recommend reverse mentoring to other leaders?

Tush:

Without hesitation. I came away from every session feeling uplifted, thoughtful — and reminded of why we do what we do. These conversations might seem small, but they build trust, challenge assumptions, and make us better leaders.

I hope more people across Kent give this a go. It’s not just a great learning experience — it’s a human one.

More Than a Mentoring Scheme — This is Inclusion & Belonging at Kent

What started as an Inclusion & Belonging initiative turned into something real: two people, at very different stages in their careers, learning from each other with openness, care, and respect.

This is what Kent’s Inclusion & Belonging is all about — creating space for everyone to speak, be heard, and influence the culture we’re building together.

And if you ask Clem and Tush, this is only the beginning.

Want to learn more about Inclusion and Belonging at Kent? Visit: https://bit.ly/46NNREs