Mentoring and Professional Development

Build your career, consultancy and professional legacy in the global waste sector

A career in waste management, circular economy or international development can open many different pathways—but deciding which direction to take is not always straightforward.

I provide individual mentoring for people who want to clarify their direction, develop their professional identity, enter new areas of the sector or build a career with lasting purpose and impact.

Drawing on more than 30 years of experience across government, regulation, consulting, higher education and international development, I offer practical guidance informed by both professional success and real-world experience.

Who Mentoring Is For

Mentoring can be adapted for people at different stages of their professional journey.

Students and Emerging Professionals

For people entering the waste, resources, environmental or international-development sectors who want to understand the opportunities available and make informed early career choices.

Early-Career Professionals

For those seeking to build expertise, gain relevant experience, strengthen their professional profile and identify their next career step.

Mid-Career Professionals

For experienced professionals considering promotion, specialisation, international work, leadership or a move into consulting.

Senior Professionals and Leaders

For individuals managing increased responsibility, repositioning their careers or considering how to create a lasting professional contribution.

Aspiring and Established Consultants

For specialists seeking to develop an independent practice, clarify their service offering, identify clients, build partnerships or expand internationally.

International-Development Professionals

For people seeking to connect technical waste-management expertise with development priorities, institutions, communities and funding programmes.

What Mentoring Can Cover

Every mentoring relationship is different. We will agree priorities based on your circumstances, experience and ambitions.

Topics may include:

  • Career direction and professional decision-making

  • Understanding different areas of the waste sector

  • Identifying strengths and specialist interests

  • Moving between government, industry, consulting and academia

  • Entering international development

  • Building practical and technical experience

  • Developing a professional profile

  • CV, biography and LinkedIn positioning

  • Networking and professional relationships

  • Identifying training and education needs

  • Preparing for interviews and important meetings

  • Leadership and professional confidence

  • Consultancy and business-development pathways

  • Developing services, proposals and retainers

  • Entering new markets and building partnerships

  • Planning a long-term career and professional legacy

Mentoring is not about telling you what to do. It provides an experienced, independent perspective that helps you examine your options, make decisions and take practical action.

Career Strategy and Professional Direction

It is easy to respond to one opportunity at a time without considering where those choices may lead.

I can help you step back and consider:

  • What type of work gives you purpose and motivation

  • Which areas of the sector best match your abilities

  • What experience you still need to develop

  • Which opportunities support your long-term direction

  • Where you may need to reposition yourself

  • How to balance income, security, impact and ambition

  • What you want your professional contribution to become

Where useful, we can develop a concise professional strategy with priorities, actions and review points.

Mentoring for Consultants

Starting or growing a consultancy requires more than technical knowledge. It also requires clear positioning, commercial awareness, relationships and the ability to convert expertise into services that clients understand and value.

Consultancy mentoring can cover:

  • Defining your specialist offering

  • Identifying priority clients and markets

  • Packaging and pricing services

  • Developing project and retainer options

  • Business-development planning

  • Building a credible professional profile

  • Finding associates and delivery partners

  • Preparing proposals and expressions of interest

  • Managing client relationships

  • Moving from individual assignments to sustainable income

  • Developing an international consultancy

  • Balancing commercial work with wider professional purpose

This mentoring draws on my own experience of consulting, business development, partnership building and international project development.

International Careers and Networks

The waste and circular-economy sectors are increasingly international. However, accessing international opportunities can be difficult without relevant experience, relationships and an understanding of how projects develop.

I can help mentees explore:

  • International-development career pathways

  • Work with governments, NGOs and development organisations

  • International consulting opportunities

  • Building credible regional experience

  • Professional networks and institutions

  • Cross-cultural collaboration

  • Partnership and consortium development

  • Conferences, speaking and thought leadership

  • International bids and project opportunities

  • Building a professional identity that travels across markets

Where appropriate, I may make selected introductions from my international network. Introductions are not guaranteed and will only be made where they are relevant, appropriate and beneficial to everyone involved.

Mentoring Options

One-Off Career Strategy Session

A focused session for a particular decision, challenge or opportunity.

This may be suitable if you are:

  • Considering a job offer or career change

  • Preparing for an important interview

  • Exploring consultancy

  • Reviewing your professional direction

  • Deciding between education or training options

  • Seeking an independent perspective on your next step

The session can conclude with a concise set of recommended actions.

Monthly Professional Mentoring

Ongoing support for people who want to develop and implement a longer-term professional plan.

A monthly arrangement may include:

  • One scheduled individual mentoring session

  • Agreed actions between sessions

  • Limited email or message support

  • Periodic review of progress

  • Review of selected professional documents

  • Relevant resources and introductions where appropriate

The exact level of support and contact will be agreed at the beginning so that expectations remain clear.

 

Consultancy Development Mentoring

Structured support for professionals building or repositioning an independent consultancy.

This can include regular sessions focused on:

  • Services and positioning
  • Target markets
  • Business development
  • Proposals and pricing
  • Partnerships and associates
  • Income development
  • International opportunities
  • Long-term business strategy

Organisational Mentoring Programmes

Mentoring can also be commissioned by employers, universities, professional organisations and development programmes.

Programmes can be created for:

  • Graduate and early-career employees
  • Emerging managers and leaders
  • International waste professionals
  • Technical specialists moving into leadership
  • Consultants and entrepreneurs
  • Professional-development cohorts

These programmes can combine individual sessions, group discussion, workshops and practical career-development activities.

A Practical and Individual Approach

My mentoring approach is supportive, honest and practical.

I aim to help each person:

  • Understand their present position
  • Clarify what they are trying to achieve
  • Recognise both strengths and development needs
  • Make informed professional choices
  • Turn ambitions into realistic actions
  • Build confidence through preparation and experience
  • Develop a career that is economically sustainable and personally meaningful

I recognise that people think, communicate and learn differently. The mentoring process can therefore be adapted to different working styles, including the needs of neurodiverse professionals.

Professional Boundaries

Mentoring provides career and professional-development support. It is not a substitute for psychological therapy, medical care, legal advice or regulated financial advice.

Confidentiality and professional boundaries will be discussed at the start of the mentoring relationship. Any document review, messaging support or introductions will remain within the limits of the package agreed.

About Simon

I have worked in waste management and environmental protection for more than 30 years across government, regulation, consulting, academia and international development.

I am the Founder of WasteAid, established with Co-Founder Rachel Wildblood, and I have taught waste and environmental subjects in higher education. My career has involved building organisations, developing programmes, advising governments, working internationally and supporting other professionals.

This gives me a broad understanding of the different directions a waste-sector career can take—and of the opportunities, uncertainties and transitions that professionals encounter along the way.

Fees and Availability

Mentoring packages are tailored to the individual’s career stage, objectives and required level of support.

A pricing schedule is available on request. A limited number of reduced-rate places may be available for students and professionals working in emerging economies, subject to availability.

An initial conversation can be used to discuss your objectives and decide whether mentoring would be helpful.

Take the Next Step

If you would like to explore mentoring, please send a short introduction covering:

  • Your current role or career stage
  • Your location
  • The direction you are considering
  • The main challenge you would like to address
  • The type of support you are seeking
  • Lets book an introductory meeting (25 GBP/50 CAD)

There is no obligation to continue after the introductory conversation.

If you feel comfortable you can take my career strategy survey and I will get back to you with some ideas and options for moving you to the next level. 

“Working with Simon has been a game changer. His ability to combine strategy, encouragement, and practical career insight creates a coaching experience that genuinely moves people forward. He also consistently shares valuable networking opportunities, industry events, and professional associations that align closely with my professional journey and career goals.”

A Satisfied Mentee

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