Adam is a practising criminal barrister and a CEDR-accredited mediator with over two decades of legal and mediation experience in both the UK and US. He founded Global Mediation in 1999 and continues to lead the organisation’s strategic direction.

Adam’s background in law, coupled with his belief in the power of impartial dialogue, has shaped Global’s reputation for calm, professional and human-centred mediation services.

Jeff is an accredited mediator and the Chief Financial Officer of Global Mediation. With over 30 years of commercial and financial experience, he brings a rare blend of analytical insight and human understanding to the organisation.

As CFO, Jeff oversees Global’s financial strategy, helping the business deliver thousands of mediations each year for local authorities, businesses and individuals across the UK. A qualified accountant and experienced adviser, he previously ran a successful accountancy firm supporting owner-managed and family-run businesses.

Jeff brings this practical, people-focused approach into his work as a mediator — resolving commercial and workplace disputes with calm authority and a focus on lasting outcomes.

Emma is a theatre director, trainer, mediator and coach with over 20 years’ experience designing and delivering training across the NHS, British Red Cross, the legal profession and the education sector. Her expertise lies in positive communication, leadership, team management and courageous conversations.

A qualified teacher and member of the Higher Education Faculty at Shakespeare’s Globe, Emma was formerly Senior Teaching Fellow at Bath Spa University. She has taught at leading drama schools including the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, LAMDA and ArtsEd.

Emma is also Artistic Director of Moving Stories Theatre Company, which creates adaptations of Shakespeare and socially engaged work — including recent projects with Women’s Aid and St Martin’s homeless charity.

Irvine is an Emeritus Professor of Educational and Child Psychology with a distinguished career spanning more than four decades across teaching, advising, research, and leadership. He has worked as a teacher, psychologist, and Principal Educational Psychologist, and served as a Government Advisor and University Course Director responsible for training the next generation of educational and child psychologists.

A specialist in school leadership and decision-making, Irvine’s doctoral research explored effective leadership in education. His pioneering work on listening to children, school systems, SEND, coaching and mediation has influenced national practice. He is the author of over 100 journal articles, book chapters and books, including The Philosophical Life Compass (2021), The Little Box of Big Questions (2012), and Resolving Disagreement in Special Needs (2003).

Irvine is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society and the Higher Education Academy, and has received national recognition for his contributions to psychology and education. As a qualified life coach and mediator, he brings academic rigour, practical insight, and a long-standing commitment to improving outcomes for children and families.

Les is an experienced organisational leader with a career spanning the UK, Europe and the USA. He has held senior roles across sectors including supply chain, manufacturing, the NHS, and both local and national government.

He brings deep expertise in lean leadership, coaching, strategic alignment and policy deployment, and plays a central role in shaping and delivering Global Mediation’s operational strategy.

Ashleigh is a board-level marketing leader with over 20 years of experience building high-performing teams, brands and digital ecosystems. She brings a strategic mindset that fuses creativity, data and technology to drive meaningful commercial outcomes.

Her career spans the full spectrum of marketing — from brand and digital to demand generation and commerce — with a proven track record of scaling global teams, shaping strategy, and delivering measurable growth. Known for her clarity, curiosity and commercial focus, Ashleigh leads with energy and purpose, ensuring Global Mediation continues to connect with the people who need us most.

Suraiya is the Mediation Director at Global Mediation, where she leads the team of Senior and Associate Mediators and upholds the exceptional standards of practice that define our service. With over 25 years of experience in education, teacher training and leadership, she brings specialist expertise to mediation — particularly in the area of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

A CMC-accredited mediator with specialist SEND accreditation, Suraiya is driven by a belief in the power of inclusive communication. She creates safe, respectful spaces for open dialogue, always placing the voices of children and young people at the heart of the process. She is on the panel for the CoM Practice Standards Committee and also for the SEND Mediation Assessors/DfE.

Her deep commitment to social inclusion is reflected in her research and leadership. She has led Home Office research into the barriers faced by excluded groups, published work on disability and inclusion, and previously served as a Disability Equality Lead, championing accessibility and equity across her organisation.

Rebecca combines a calm, supportive style with professional clarity to deliver impartial, well-structured SEND mediations. She creates safe, respectful environments where all parties feel heard — managing the process with warmth, fairness and a focus on moving forward.

As a highly experienced mediator, Rebecca helps families, local authorities, schools and professionals work together with the child or young person at the centre of every conversation.

Nigel is a highly experienced SEND mediator who has conducted over 1,000 mediations since 2013. Known for his calm, consistent approach, he continues to support families and professionals to navigate complex issues and find positive, forward-focused outcomes.

Suneta is a highly experienced mediator specialising in SEND and workplace resolution, with a strong focus on the education sector. She brings empathy, clarity and professionalism to every case — helping individuals and teams navigate challenges, strengthen communication and build lasting solutions.

Janet brings deep expertise in SEND, built over a career as a teacher, advisor and manager in the sector before training as a mediator. She is known for her calm, grounded approach, clear subject knowledge and ability to listen with care — helping participants feel heard, supported and confident throughout the process.

Nikeisha is a trained mediator with a strong background in case management and family support. Since joining Global Mediation in 2017, she has progressed from Case Manager to Area Lead, and now forms part of the IH Mediation team.

Having completed both the Foundation and SEND Mediation courses, Nikeisha brings a calm, structured approach to every case. She is committed to guiding families through the mediation process with empathy, clarity and care.

Altaf is a CMC-qualified mediator with a strong background in SEND and community mediation. He brings over two decades of experience across education and local government, with a particular focus on supporting young people with special educational needs and learning difficulties.

Holding an MPhil in Law, Altaf blends academic rigour with practical expertise in empathy, communication and collaborative problem-solving. He is committed to creating safe, transparent spaces where individuals feel empowered to resolve conflict constructively and reach lasting outcomes.

Jo brings warmth, empathy and a deep belief in the power of mediation to every case. Known for her calm presence and strong communication skills, she helps participants feel supported and heard — empowering them to work together toward fair and lasting outcomes