• Workers will make an average of three longstanding and genuine friendships as a result of their professional relationships.
• 72% of working adults report feeling more motivated when they have friends among their colleagues, and more than three quarters agreeing that building good relationships at work enhances their careers.
• Despite making good friends at work, only one in five (21%) women feel comfortable approaching professional contacts about mentoring or sponsorship, compared to a third of men (33%).
• The research was commissioned by Santander as part of its Women Business Leaders' Mentoring Programme, which is supported by Sarah Willingham, entrepreneur and former Dragons’ Den investor.
Workers will make three longstanding and genuine friendships during their career, new research¹ from Santander UK has found, with more than a third (37 per cent) relying on these work friends to help them overcome personal and professional challenges. Most working adults (87 per cent) report having made friendships at work, with 42 per cent agreeing that these relationships aren’t strictly confined to business.
The research, commissioned as part of the bank’s ‘Women Business Leaders' Mentoring Programme’², now in its seventh year, connects aspiring leaders with experienced mentors to foster growth, innovation, and collaboration.
Findings show a strong correlation between workplace relationships and career growth, with 76 per cent of people agreeing that building good relationships at work enhances their careers. Additionally, 72 per cent report feeling more motivated when they have friends among their colleagues.
Sarah Willingham, an entrepreneur, former Dragons’ Den investor, and supporter of Santander’s mentor scheme, said:
“Building strong, supportive relationships in the workplace is invaluable.
“This research highlights the importance of creating meaningful professional networks and friendships, and in many cases, it is key to overcoming challenges and achieving goals. Strong workplace relationships aren’t just about career success – they can enhance confidence, resilience, and overall wellbeing.
“That’s why mentoring programmes are crucial for helping individuals develop these relationships, offering a pathway to both personal and professional growth.”
Younger employees, aged 18 to 25, are especially keen on forging professional friendships, with 85 per cent agreeing that it is important to them. This stands in contrast to only 66 per cent of older employees (aged 55-64) who share the same sentiment. Gen Z workers are also redefining workplace socialising, engaging in a variety of activities to strengthen bonds with colleagues, such as weekend lunches (32 per cent), shopping trips (29 per cent), gigs (17 per cent), hikes (12 per cent), and even bike rides (9 per cent).
Making these connections is reported to improve self-confidence by 36 per cent, while another 36 per cent look to these friends for emotional support during difficult times. However, it can differ between the sexes, with women more likely (40 per cent) to seek emotional support from friendly colleagues, compared to men (30 per cent).
The figures also reveal that men are more comfortable approaching professional contacts when collaborating on projects (45 per cent vs 32 per cent), asking for career advice (42 per cent vs 30 per cent), and for job referrals (35 per cent vs 28 per cent).
When it comes to building professional connections, 34 per cent of all respondents said it’s easiest to connect with others in the same industry, while 28 per cent find it easy to connect with those of the same gender.
The research also highlights the importance of mentorships, with 65 per cent considering it vital for career growth. Among these, 41 per cent value mentors for sharing advice based on experience, while 36 per cent appreciate the constructive feedback they provide.
Susan Davies, Head of Business Banking, Santander UK, said:
“Workplace relationships are vital for career development and personal wellbeing. Having a mentor can make a world of difference by providing guidance, sharing knowledge, and fostering confidence – all of which can help people navigate their career path.
“The programme is designed to help workers create these meaningful connections, empowering individuals to thrive in their careers and beyond.”
Applications for the 2025 cohort of the Santander Breakthrough Women Business Leaders’ Mentoring Programme are now open. To find out more, or to apply before the deadline on 10 February, visit: https://www.santander.co.uk/breakthrough/resources/santander-breakthrough-women
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Notes to editors
1. The research was carried out by OnePoll between 13/1/2025 - 17/1/2025 of 2,000 UK Employed Adults
2. More information on the programme and how to apply can be found https://www.santander.co.uk/breakthrough/resources/santander-breakthrough-womenees.
Santander UK is a financial services provider in the UK that offers a wide range of personal and commercial financial products and services. At 30 June 2024, the bank had around 19,600 employees and serves around 14 million active customers, including 7 million digital customers via a nationwide 444 branch network, telephone, mobile and online banking. Santander UK is subject to the full supervision of the FCA and the PRA in the UK. Santander UK plc customers’ eligible deposits are protected by the FSCS in the UK.
Banco Santander (SAN SM, STD US, BNC.LN) is a leading commercial bank, founded in 1857 and headquartered in Spain and one of the largest banks in the world by market capitalization. The group’s activities are consolidated into five global businesses: Retail & Commercial Banking, Digital Consumer Bank, Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB), Wealth Management & Insurance and Payments (PagoNxt and Cards). This operating model allows the bank to better leverage its unique combination of global scale and local leadership. Banco Santander aims to be the best open financial services platform providing services to individuals, SMEs, corporates, financial institutions and governments. The bank’s purpose is to help people and businesses prosper in a simple, personal and fair way. Banco Santander is building a more responsible bank and has made a number of commitments to support this objective, including raising €220 billion in green financing between 2019 and 2030. In the first quarter of 2024, Banco Santander had €1.3 trillion in total funds, 166 million customers, 8,400 branches and 211,000 employees.