You need inside knowledge and advice on retail at the top level of your company. A new appointment may have business skills but little knowledge of the retail sector.
This mentor role provides the comfort and support of an advisor with the knowledge and experience. This allows the director to gain confidence and authority in the retail sector by having a one-to-one expert on hand.
The mentor is usually part time and possibly at a distance. Each case is different. But I have seen the mentor role work in an excellent way to transfer knowledge at the highest level and on a strictly confidential basis.