Unlocking Potential Through Connection: Stuart Tosh on the Power of Mentoring
By Stuart Tosh, Chief Operating Officer.
In an industry driven by efficiency, resilience, and strategic foresight, few people understand the inner workings of supply chain leadership like Stuart Tosh. As Chief Operating Officer at Visku, Stuart brings decades of experience spanning retail, logistics, and operational transformation – but it is his personal commitment to mentoring that is setting a new standard for leadership in the sector.
From his early days in hospitality and retail through to leadership roles at Tesco, Lidl, Homebase, and City Plumbing, Stuart’s career has been anything but linear. Like many in the supply chain world, he didn’t plan to end up in logistics; he discovered it through necessity and curiosity. “I never said, ‘I want to be a supply chain expert,’” he reflects, “but I realised I had a logical brain, and I loved figuring out how things work. It all made sense to me.”
Yet amid the complexity of operations and constant problem-solving, one of the most transformative moments in Stuart’s career came not from a warehouse floor or a boardroom, but from a dinner table.
At an industry award ceremony, Stuart found himself seated next to John Boulter, then Managing Director of DHL UK’s Consumer Division. After an engaging conversation about their shared experiences, Stuart took a chance. “I just asked him: would you consider being my mentor?” John’s answer was an immediate yes, and a formative professional relationship was born.
That single moment, what Stuart calls a “sliding doors experience,” became the catalyst for a vision that has grown far beyond personal development. It laid the foundation for the Visku Mentoring Scheme – a cross-industry platform designed to break down silos, connect people across borders and businesses, and offer meaningful mentorship experiences to those who need it most.
The Case for Cross-Company Mentoring
One of Stuart’s core beliefs is that company boundaries should not confine mentorship. “Some organisations won’t allow mentoring outside their own walls, I think that’s completely wrong,” he says. “The best mentoring I ever had wasn’t from someone in my business. It was from someone outside of it, with a completely different perspective.”
The platform is already seeing mentors and mentees from the UK, Netherlands, Turkey, and Belgium, a testament to the global relevance of mentorship in an increasingly hybrid world.
“Hybrid working has actually made this easier,” Stuart adds. “You don’t need to be in the same office, or even the same country, to make a meaningful connection. Technology has made mentoring more accessible than ever.”
Mentoring: More Than Career Advice
Stuart is quick to point out that mentoring isn’t just about climbing the career ladder. “It’s not about job titles,” he says. “The most impactful mentoring relationships I’ve had – both as a mentor and a mentee – have focused on personal growth, mindset, and navigating complex situations.”
He also highlights the value of reverse mentoring, having learned first-hand from colleagues returning to the workforce after maternity leave. “That experience completely changed my understanding of what support really means,” he notes. “It made me a better leader: more aware, more empathetic, more flexible.”
This dual role – being both a mentor and a mentee – has shaped how Stuart leads at Visku. In a role where strategic decisions carry weight and expectations are high, having someone to talk to outside the organisational structure is, as he puts it, “essential.” Leadership can be lonely, and mentoring provides a rare space for candid, thoughtful reflection.
Breaking down Barriers
What makes the Visku Mentoring Scheme different is its intentional focus on accessibility. There’s no catch. It’s not a recruitment tool, and it’s not a profit-driven initiative. As Stuart puts it: “This is about giving something back. It’s about making sure the next generation of supply chain leaders don’t feel like they have to figure it all out alone.”
He notes that many people don’t realise they need a mentor until they hit a wall, whether it’s a specific challenge at work or a broader question of direction. That’s where the platform can step in. “If you’re looking around the room and nobody seems able to help, that’s the moment to reach out.”
The scheme is already showing results. Matches have been made between mentees and industry veterans, including leaders from brands such as Castore, Urban Outfitters, and the John Lewis Partnership, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Stuart sees immense potential in scaling the initiative. “I’d love to see a large organisation like DHL or PWC sponsor the scheme, so it becomes even bigger and more powerful,” he says. “It’s not about branding – it’s about impact.”
He also believes that the mentoring model can and should extend beyond the supply chain, with applications across departments, sectors, and geographies. “Ultimately, this is about human connection,” he reflects. “It’s about learning from each other – not just what to do, but how to do it with integrity, empathy, and confidence.”
Mentoring, as Stuart sees it, is not a luxury – it’s a necessity for navigating modern careers. And as industries face increasing pressure to evolve, adapt, and lead with purpose, initiatives like the Visku Mentoring Scheme could be the key to unlocking a more connected, confident, and future-ready workforce.
As Stuart himself proves, one meaningful conversation can change everything.