Introduction
I am an experienced full time mediator, with a career of over 25 years behind me as a solicitor and then partner in private practice. Trained as a commercial and banking litigator, I focused on corporate and personal insolvency matters from 1996. Having acted for many clients in crisis on transactions, disputes and complex advisory work, I firmly believe that people can overcome problems, no matter how complex.
My approach
I am a calm, friendly, rational person who is naturally good with people. I like the structured process of mediation and believe it benefits clients but I also appreciate its flexibility. I have a strong reputation for professional preparation and for keeping confidences. I am a curious person who likes to ask ‘why’ and I am tenacious.
This is what mediation parties or their advisers have said about me as a mediator:
…. nicely measured and diplomatic and well able to deal with the challenges of client sentiments…
…. I was impressed with your patience throughout the process and your gentle (subtle) encouragement which I think was quite useful while maintaining impartiality…
…. I am grateful for the patience, diligence, consideration and tact which you displayed during the mediation, particularly towards [my client] in what have been very troubled waters…
…. a mediator with a calm head, who could cut a path through what had been (up to that point) a highly-charged dispute towards a sensible settlement…
…. highly professional but also practical and adaptable…
…. through sheer dogged determination and careful handling of the parties [you] managed to achieve a settlement in circumstances which at many points both prior to the mediation and at the mediation looked impossible…
What cases will I take?
I am ready to help you with any problem within the field of civil and commercial mediation. I am accredited to mediate online and experienced in doing so. My area of specialist expertise covers all aspects of insolvency and corporate rescue, so if you have a problem arising from financial difficulty, issues with a professional practice or partnership, company closure, or a dispute which concerns insolvency in any way, please do give me a call.
For a case involving family law proceedings (marital breakdown, child access and custody, financial provision), please contact the ADR Group (see below) who will put you in touch with an appropriate person.
Will I co-mediate?
Yes, I am very happy to take cases jointly and it may be that your problem would be best addressed by the appointment of co-mediators. Call me and we can talk it through.
Why do I mediate?
I genuinely believe in the process and the benefits it can bring.
My background
My father served in the military whilst I was growing up, which added to my life experience. I did my A levels at a 6th form college and took a degree in law from the University of Reading. I qualified as a solicitor with Jaques & Lewis in Gray’s Inn in London and joined their civil litigation team, working on cases large and small. I stayed with the team when the firm merged with Eversheds and after a period of transition, then worked exclusively on insolvency assignments. I joined Matthew Arnold & Baldwin as a junior partner and was subsequently promoted to head of team, full partner and London office managing partner. I was a senior member of the team when we decided we should transfer the practice in an orderly way, with members and staff joining one of 3 firms. I transferred to Dentons in London and was a partner there for about 18 months. I have been building my mediation practice since August 2017.
Outside of work, I am keen on many of the creative arts (including gardening!) and the great outdoors.
My experience
I have had a strong interest in mediation throughout my career. I was at Eversheds when its early case assessment model was developed and that encouraged a focus on ADR. My work in the insolvency field has been as much about commercial transactions as litigation and I have long experience of negotiations. Often those negotiations were unexpected, urgent and challenging. I bring management experience to mediation and also my experience of volunteering in the not for profit environment (companies, charities and working with children), together with a rounded life experience.
Memberships/recognition
I am a panel member of the ADR Group and a member of the CMC (Civil Mediation Council). I am a member of R3 (the insolvency trade association) and the Association of Partnership Practitioners. Although I am no longer practising as a solicitor or providing legal services, I remain a member of the Law Society. I was ranked as a Leading Mediator in the Legal 500 in 2022 and have been listed again as such since then.