Creative Access & Penguin Random House mentoring programme 2025

Closing date: Friday 18th April at 12pm midday

Mentoring programme dates: July to December 2025

Do you love stories and ideas? Are you looking to gain insights into the publishing sector, develop skills and confidence, and build new connections? Sign up now to be matched with a mentor from the world’s number one publisher.

Creative Access is excited to be partnering with Penguin Random House again to launch a virtual mentoring programme, designed to reach talent from communities currently under-represented in publishing. The programme aims to break down barriers and myths, and showcase the rich mix of roles and opportunities on offer within publishing. It is open to individuals across a range of career stages, from aspiring to mid-level and beyond.

There are 75 mentee places available on this year’s programme and successful applicants will be mentored by individuals working across the different teams at Penguin Random House (including editorial, design, production, technology, sales, marketing, publicity, distribution and HR). Mentors will span a range of experience levels from mid-level through to senior leadership.

Penguin Random House make books for everyone, because a book can change anyone. Penguin was founded in 1935 by Allen Lane, who wanted to make good quality books affordable and accessible to everyone. Today, Penguin Random House are the UK’s leading publisher and home to some of the world’s most brilliant authors: from bestselling writers and bold illustrators, to big thinkers and political commentators, trailblazing entrepreneurs and wellbeing experts. The books, ebooks and audiobooks they publish enable talented people from all walks of life to tell their stories – and Penguin Random House make sure they are heard.

This programme is designed to be an equal partnership between mentors and mentees and mutually beneficial to both. Mentees will have access to publishing expertise and the opportunity to discuss their personal and professional development goals. Mentors will have the opportunity to learn from the fresh perspectives of their mentees and challenge their existing ways of thinking. To help set the new relationships up for success, Creative Access will provide training at an initial meet and greet session to both mentors and mentees.

How does the programme work?

Through the programme, Creative Access will find and match 75 people with mentors from across the different teams at Penguin Random House including editorial, design, production, technology, sales, marketing, publicity and distribution. Where possible, mentees will be matched with a mentor working in the area in which they would like to work or progress their career in.

The mentoring programme is designed for individuals over 18 from under-represented communities who want to pursue or progress their careers in publishing. This could include college and university students, as well as those with some professional experience in publishing or wider industries. We also welcome applications from those not currently in education, employment or training.

The mentoring partnerships will run from July 2025 for six months, beginning with an initial Meet and Greet session facilitated by Creative Access. Mentees will have the opportunity to meet with their mentor once a month, virtually, for approximately an hour. 

What do you need to apply?

• An interest in stories and ideas and working in a creative industry.
• An interest in at least one of the areas or departments in a publishing house.
• (If not already working in publishing) An aim to gain employment in a relevant trainee or entry-level role in the future.
• (If already working in publishing) A desire to secure support with progressing your career within the industry.
• A willingness to engage positively with a mentor on a monthly basis for six months.
• A commitment to attend a virtual Meet & Greet session in July 2025 (various date options). The Meet & Greet is a group training session designed to set you and your mentor up with everything you need to get off to a great start.

Plus, you'll need to:

• Be able to participate in 6 monthly virtual sessions with your mentor between July and December 2025
• Be over the age of 18, still in education or training, aspiring to or currently working in publishing or wider industries
• Identify as being from a group that is under-represented in the publishing industry. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who identify as Black, Asian, or from other ethnically diverse backgrounds, or people of any ethnicity who belong to the following under-represented groups: disabled people, people with the characteristic of gender reassignment, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, carers and asylum seekers.

To apply: 

• Log in to your Creative Access account or  register today  to apply for this opportunity.   
• Click the apply button to complete an application form for the mentoring programme.
• Once submitted, applications are final so please review carefully.

The deadline for applications is Friday 18th April at 12pm midday.

If you require any access support while completing the application form, or would prefer to submit your application in an alternative format (e.g. video or audio recording), please email  richard@creativeaccess.org.uk  to discuss further. 

Questions?  

For any queries or for further information, please contact Richard Clarke on  richard@creativeaccess.org.uk. All enquiries related to this programme are handled by Creative Access, so please do not contact Penguin Random House.