Marie Coombes is a highly experienced mediator. She has completed over 300 mediations in a variety of complex and often volatile environments and industry sectors. Her ability to quickly build strong relationships with frontline staff, union officials and management at all levels have smoothed the way to a successful outcome in an overwhelming majority of her cases.

In 2020 the Civil Mediation Council recognised Marie’s individual excellence in mediation when she was awarded Workplace Mediator of the Year. The judges were highly impressed with her expertise in mental health and her rapid adaptation from face-to-face to online service delivery in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. Marie also holds an MBA and is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.

Richard serves as a Senior Safer Neighbourhoods Officer (ASB) at Kirklees Council. A qualified mediator since December 2018. He uses the techniques taught in the mediation every day in his job.

After qualifying as a mediator in 2018 with 5 other members of staff, they started offering a free mediation service to 23 thousand council house residents, to try and ensure problems were dealt with earlier and didn’t escalate. Since that time, they have trained a further 10 mediators.

The listening and rephrasing methods are especially helpful to show the person you are speaking to, that you have listened and understood what they have said. Showing empathy, using body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice keeping eye contact are especially important during face-to-face discussions.

The hardest part of mediating is refraining from offering solutions. Mediators are listeners and facilitators of problem-solving. They help individuals who may be entrenched in their behaviours to talk in a controlled environment. This enables each side to discuss their problems and find an amicable solution.

Gemma Bromfield trained as a mediator in March 2022, specialising in workplace mediation. She addresses issues such as bullying, harassment, racism, and sexual harassment. Additionally, Gemma practices group facilitation, facilitating discussions between union members and managers.

As the owner of an HR Consultancy, Gemma focuses on Conflict Resolution. Her primary work involves conducting workplace mediation, workplace investigations, and group facilitation. Mediation is Gemma’s passion, and her goal is to introduce this conflict resolution method to as many workplaces as possible. She aims to help organisations understand that there is a more effective way to resolve conflicts than the traditional grievance process, which often pits employees against each other.