Mediation Services

Why Mediation?

When tensions arise, the instinct may be to default to formal processes, but sometimes that approach can be slower, rigid, and can even escalate the issue. Mediation offers a more constructive alternative:

Traditional grievance processes can be slow, formal, and can escalate tensions. Mediation offers a different path – one that’s:

• Confidential and protected by law
• Voluntary and empowering for all parties
• Adaptable to your needs – can be delivered in-person or online, and paced to suit the situation and the individuals involved
• Focused on solutions, not blame
• Allows for the expression of emotion not just fact

With a 92% success rate (CEDR 2023 Mediation Audit) mediation helps individuals feel heard, understood, and equipped to move forward together

What does Mediation look like?

Every situation is unique, and so is our approach. Our trained mediator creates a safe, impartial space for open dialogue. Donna will guide individuals through a structured process that includes:

1. Preparation and boundary setting
2. Private exploration of perspectives
3. Facilitated negotiation and solution building
4. Agreed outcomes that parties co-create and own

Whether online or face-to-face, mediation is tailored to your organisation’s needs and culture.

Building a mediation mindset

Embedding mediation into your culture means:

• Encouraging healthy dialogue over formal disputes
• Supporting inclusive communication, especially in hybrid teams
• Equipping managers with emotional intelligence and conflict resolution skills
• Creating a culture of trust, compassion, and accountability

People are more likely to speak up and offer suggestions, fostering curiosity and idea generation, which in turn enhances adaptability across the business. We help HR teams and leaders shift from reactive processes to proactive resolution, transforming how your organisation handles tension and disagreement.

Meet Donna Bonfield, Our Mediator

With over 30 years of experience in HR, executive coaching, and organisational development, Donna brings a calm, insightful presence to every mediation she leads. Known for her exceptional listening skills and deep commitment to inclusivity, she creates a safe, respectful space where individuals feel heard, often for the first time.

Donna’s background includes senior roles at organisations such as Barclays and AXA, where she developed a strong foundation in organisational design and team coaching. Today, she blends that expertise with a mediator’s mindset: honest, impartial, and focused on helping people move forward.

Donna is a member of the International Mediation Institute (IMI) as well as being PDSL-accredited and qualified. She brings a professional and ethical approach to every mediation. Donna is also a skilled facilitator of psychometric-based workshops, using tools to explore team dynamics, improve communication, and unlock individual potential. Her approach is both structured and human, empowering people to explore the root of conflict and co-create meaningful, lasting solutions.

Whether working with teams or individuals, Donna’s goal is always the same: to transform tension into trust, and conflict into connection.