Twenty/Twenty mentoring

Twenty/Twenty is the DBA’s flagship business mentoring programme, designed to take your leadership from good to truly exceptional. Expertly pairing rising industry leaders with some of the most respected and esteemed figures in design, this programme is a transformational 12-month journey.

Launched in 2011 and with almost 600 participants from over 300 businesses, Twenty/Twenty is the industry’s longest-running, most respected mentoring programme. Harnessing the wisdom and vision of the current leaders in the design industry to inspire the next generation to make more informed and impactful decisions about their businesses, their people and themselves.

Read on to discover how it can redefine your career.

Applications are open now for:

Mentees looking to go from good to great by partnering with a highly experienced industry confidant, handpicked to unlock your full leadership potential.
Mentors ready to give back and shape the future of the industry by sharing your expertise, empowering the next generation of design leaders.

Mentees – step up your success with a mentor

What is the programme all about?

The Twenty/Twenty programme is crafted for leaders in design looking to make their next big leap. Whether you’re focused on strategic growth, succession planning, scaling your business or the design function within your organisation – or something entirely different, imagine what you could do with a mentor by your side. You will:

Receive one-to-one guidance from a handpicked industry leader for 12 months, someone you can trust to discuss both your day-to-day and the broader vision with.
Work with your mentor to define your goals and create a fully bespoke mentoring plan that focuses on your own unique aspirations and priorities.
Be fully supported by exclusive training from some of Europe’s top mentoring experts.

What will I gain from having a mentor?

A fresh, re-energised perspective: Partner with an industry leader and gain a business confidant who will challenge your thinking, sharpen your vision, hone your existing strengths and amplify your impact.
Define your goals: Re-examine your ambitions and define milestones that will take you from where you’re doing well today to where you can be exceptional tomorrow.
Informed industry insight: Deepen your understanding of the design landscape, pinpoint exactly where you and your organisation fit and the opportunities ahead.
Confident, impactful decision-making: With a renewed vision and insight, you’ll approach leadership with clarity and purpose, boosting your influence.
Next-level thinking and personal growth: The strategies and insights you develop will become ingrained in your approach, continually driving sustainable, high-impact growth for the entirety of your career.

Who are the mentors?

DBA mentors are industry icons – visionaries from renowned DBA member businesses who bring a wealth of experience and a unique perspective. Our extensivee matching process ensures you’re paired with a mentor whose journey aligns with yours, creating a truly impactful partnership. Our mentors come from organisations including:

How do I apply?

Step into the next stage of your career and unlock your full potential.

Applications are open now to senior leaders in design agencies and in-house teams, including both DBA members and non-members.

The fee is £3,250+vat, discounted to £1,750+vat for DBA members. Apply via this form to join the 2025 cohort.

“The opportunity to learn from someone vastly more experienced at running a design business was too good to pass up, and our conversations gave me both practical advice and reassurance that was invaluable in the coming years.”

Warren Hutchinson, Founder and CXO of Else, former Twenty/Twenty mentee now mentor

Mentors - give back and shape the future

What is the programme all about?

As a Twenty/Twenty mentor, you’re not just sharing your wisdom, you’re playing an essential role in shaping the next generation of design leaders. By guiding an up-and-coming leader and sharing the insights that have defined your own success, you’ll empower them to amplify their impact and drive real change in the industry.

What will I gain from mentoring?

You’ll make a lasting contribution by fuelling the future of the industry and shaping leaders who will carry the torch for years to come. Mentoring also provides an opportunity to reflect on your own journey, gain fresh insights and sharpen your own leadership as you engage with the challenges and ideas of rising talent.

What’s the commitment?

You’ll connect with your mentee for at least 9, 1-hour sessions over 12 months. Our flexible framework allows you and your mentee to shape the format to fit your unique needs – whether that’s monthly meetings, active projects between sessions, or reflective conversations.

How do I apply?

Step up and leave a lasting legacy.

Applications are open now for design leaders who want to shape the next generation. There is no fee – mentors volunteer their time. Apply via this form to join the 2025 cohort.

“I’ve now been involved in three separate cohorts and I’ve been consistently blown away by the levels of trust, professionalism, honesty and integrity that underpin the process. This, in my opinion, is the DBA at its absolute best.”

Andy Sexton, Partner & Executive Creative Director, 2LK, Twenty/Twenty mentor

Find out more

Read a Q&A with mentee Jonny Kermode, Founder at Fifth House
Hear from two mentees turned mentors – Warren Hutchinson, Founder and CXO at Else and Sally Forsyth Spark, Managing Director and co-owner at Point 6 Design share their experiences from both sides of the programme.
If you had a mentor, what issues would you choose to tackle together? – DBA Managing Director, Sally Lukins delves into the different approaches to Twenty/Twenty Mentoring

Get in touch

For questions about the mentoring programme, please contact Christina Warren, Programmes Manager, or book a call with Christina to discuss participating in the 2025 programme in more detail.

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