Meet The Team

Steven has been involved in Special Educational Needs since 2014 and has overseen the conversion of approx. 3000 Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) and the transition of approx. 1000 young people across various stages of education.

Steven has several years of experience in numerous aspects of administration and has interacted with multiple Local Authorities and has a keen eye for detail which has aided him in writing, annotating and critiquing of approx. 300 EHCP’s.

Steven has a great interest in technology, in both software and hardware and enjoys building his own computers, creating websites and designing his own software to help with everyday tasks.

Sophie comes to SEND Mediation from a mixture of commercial and early years foundation experience.

Sophie has a strong history in underwriting which gives her impeccable attention to detail and a really methodical approach to administrative systems and process. As a parent of two, Sophie took a short career break which lead her into the early years nursery sector as a classroom assistant.  There, Sophie gained great insight  and valuable hands-on experience with regard to the early stages of any child’s educational journey, and more specifically meeting the needs of children with SEND.  

Sophie acts as the first point of contact for parents, carers and young people in what can seem like an uncertain and unknown stage of the statutory process. Sophie is always on hand to respond to queries and try to demystify the process ahead. 

In her spare time Sophie loves to travel, particularly around  South-America, favouring Chile, Brazil, Argentina and Peru. Sophie is an avid football fan, and can often be found on the sideline at her local football club, cutting up the oranges for the under 12’s or washing the teams entire kit of a Sunday morning! 

Sacha has experience working alongside young people with SEND needs as a support mentor within an alternative provision. This fostered a unique insight into the integral role of mediation, in supporting the needs of children, young people and parents. 

Sacha has an eye for detail, having spent years processing and analysing data within research projects during her degree. Sacha also works alongside children and young people to develop activities, with the goal of meeting EHC plan outcomes. 

Sacha has great interest in nutrition and has recently become a Registered Associate Nutritionist. With a passion for promoting food literacy and healthy relationships with food, she has co-facilitated cook, eat, grow workshops for the local community. 

Dominic is the managing director of Collis Mediation Ltd. Dominic comes to mediation from a commercial background, having spent much of his 30yr career at the most senior level in industry.  As a mediator, Dominic is often instructed in complex, multi-dimensional, high-value commercial disputes and SEND.

Dominic has a very direct and solution-focussed approach to mediation which is built on his proven experience having chaired in excess of 3,500 mediations to date, placing him as one of the most experienced mediators in the country.

His judicious outlook taken alongside his knowledge, skills and expertise transfer seamlessly into SEND Practice where he has become a respected maven on statutory process, to point that he is a UK Registered Expert Witness in SEND. 

Dominic is on the Board of Director's of the CMC, a CMC Accredited SEND Mediator, Fellow member of the Chartered Management Institute, Trustee and Founding Panel Member of the Society of Mediators and his organisation is a CMC Approved Training Provider and Ministry of Justice Approved Mediation Provider. 

Dominic has a strong sense of social responsibility and ensures that the business operates with compassion, empathy and positive effect for the environment and society as a whole. This is done through both various charitable donations,  sponsorships and internal initiatives and pledges. 

Dominic is an adoptive parent of siblings and is a single figure golfer. When not on the golf course, he likes to spend his free time in the kitchen. 

Nicola comes to Mediation from a Legal background, having practiced Criminal Law for 11 years before completing a PhD in Social Sciences. 

Nicola has a wealth of experience in SEND Mediation & Disagreement Resolution as well as experience in managing complex Appeals at First Tier Tribunal. Nicola also delivers CMC Accredited SEND Training Courses and Workshops across the country to SEND Professionals and organisations.

As a SEND Parent, Nicola possesses a unique insight into the stress and anxiety parents often face when engaging with statutory processes and procedures within the world of Education, in particular when embarking on the Appeals process. 

Nicola has attended a number of courses and workshops with the National Autistic Society and the National Health Service concerning Autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorders and Speech, Language & Communication development.  

Nicola is a UK Registered Expert Witness in SEND and a registered member of the Civil Mediation Council, College of Mediators, CiLEX , Restorative Justice Council and Neurodiversity in Law.

With regard to personal interests and hobbies, Nicola is a keen equestrian and has adopted a number of rescue ponies from Redwings Horse Charity. Nicola is a Trustee for Oaks Meadow CIO which promotes green spaces designed to improve social emotional and mental health for children and adolescents living in rural areas. Nicola also likes Travelling, in particular to the Far East and French Polynesia.

Nancy comes to mediation from a Nursing & Midwifery background. Nancy has also been a research fellow, a director in a successful family business, a consultant and qualified trainer in the public, private and third sector.

Nancy trained as a SEND Mediator in 2015 and is on the SEND Register, which is jointly maintained by the CMC and CoM. Nancy has worked for Collis Mediation Ltd for four years as a SEND Mediator and also takes part in training and mentoring newly qualified mediators. 

Nancy places great emphasis on creating a calming space, where all participants can feel safe in sharing their experiences, thoughts and fears with each other in order to find a way forward together. 

As well as SEND, Nancy is accredited in Civil & Commercial, Workplace & Employment, and  International Online Mediation. She has specialist mediation training in restorative facilitation, mental health and working with the vulnerable and elderly in community practice. 

Nancy works primarily by way of connected (online & telephone) mediations and trains other mediators in using Zoom. She is a registered Mediator with the CMC, member of Society of Mediators and on the board of the Association of Northern Mediators.

Nancy has a genuine interest in others and shows a great depth of resilience, patience and humility. Nancy enjoys spending her free time with family, in particular with children and baking.

Martin comes to SEND Mediation from a career in Education, including Outdoor Education, Mainstream and Specialist Provision. Since the 2014 SEND reforms he has worked in the public sector initially with the conversion to EHCP process and then in SEND management including significant experience in SEND, working collaboratively with families and settings, SEND Mediaitons and appeals to the first tier tribunal.

Martin is a Commercial and Civil Mediator and an Accredited SEND Mediator and is on the jointly maintained CMC and CoM SEND Register of professionals and a member of the Society of Mediators.

Martin has an in depth knowledge of SEND and legal frameworks that it sits within and is adept at helping others to understand the world of send and the challenges that can prevail.

Martin has a lifelong love of the outdoors and enjoys fell running, biking, walking, kayaking and triathlon. He is a qualified coach in a number of areas and is currently chair and head coach of the local Junior Triathlon Club.

Pip (Philippa) comes to SEND Mediation from a career in central government, via international conflict and the United Nations. Her early career was spent in Whitehall, before living and working in several conflict-affected countries (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Kenya), delivering programmes on the ground that sought to address the root causes of conflict. Pip uses the experience and skills she developed in international conflict environments to reduce the negative effects of conflicts closer to home and she continues to support and train UN teams.

Pip has been a Samaritans volunteer for 25 years and loves her role because it’s an opportunity to be there for someone when they really need it. A key thread throughout her career has been listening and supporting difficult conversations to be held. Her ability to communicate with people from all walks of life, at times of extreme stress, gives her a highly effective mediation style.

Pip is practical, calm and incisive.  A CEDR-trained, CMC-registered mediator, Pip now focuses on SEND mediation and also workplace and team mediations.  She quickly builds rapport with parties and works flexibly to create a problem-solving environment where constructive discussions can be held.  She routinely receives excellent feedback from clients for delivering strong results and for her collaborative, empathetic approach to supporting relationships that have become fractious and dysfunctional.

Pip is also an active trainer and delivers training both for new mediators and for managers who want to apply the mediation skill-set to support early resolution in their teams. Course participants have praised her encouraging and supportive approach to training, creating a space where they feel safe to take risks and try out their developing skillsets.

When not working, Pip loves cooking (and eating), tootling on her clarinet and saxophone and is learning to sail. Originally from Fiji, she loves to travel to warm countries and hopes that, after about 5 years of trying, this year will be the year that she finally manages to complete a Cryptic Crossword!

Zeina comes to SEND Mediation from a career in Local Authority SEND Management which began when she joined a Pathfinder Local Authority in 2013, shortly before the SEND Reforms came into force. Zeina has extensive experience in SEND Mediations, SEND Tribunal Appeals, as well as complex case management, working collaboratively with young people, parents and families to resolve disputes.

Zeina’s interest in SEND began when she worked in a Designated Special Provision in a mainstream school. She then went on to complete an MA in Child Studies – the focus of which was to put children and young people at the centre of policy and practice development, across education, health and care. Zeina’s research explored the barriers to inclusion that young people with SEND face in mainstream secondary school.

Zeina has previously worked in the voluntary sector being involved in policy and research projects on the experiences of unaccompanied young refugees and the impact of Welfare Reform on charities and the vulnerable groups they support. 

Originally from the Middle East, Zeina enjoys visiting family abroad; this also helps maintain her linguistic skills (Arabic and French). More recently Zeina has taken a keen interest in health and wellbeing, practising Pilates and Meditation alongside regular Acupuncture and Reflexology treatments. Her young family keeps her busy, but when the opportunity arises, Zeina enjoys concerts, festivals, and musical theatre.

Noreen is a Mediator that comes to us from a long career in the Public Sector. She was a Case Worker and Advocate for Worker’s Rights. In that role she began to advocate for individuals with Disabilities & Specific Learning Difficulties, after being diagnosed with one herself as an adult.

She has been helping to advocate for SEND Parents rights for Flexible Working and accommodations, while going through their own SEND journey in their workplaces. She brings with her, strong levels of empathy and communication skills, that serve her well in Mediations. She’s also a parent to a SEND child, who is now grown up and therefore understands the complexities of stress and emotions for parents, while also balancing the knowledge of difficulties within the Public Sector.

Noreen is an Accredited SEND mediator and is on the jointly maintained CMC and CoM SEND Register of professionals. She has also trained in Specific Learning Difficulties and continues training, with a thirst for knowledge in the subject. She is also a qualified Civil, Commercial, Workplace & Employment Mediator.

When not working Noreen enjoys studying the Irish Language and Snowboarding. She became a Snowboard instructor, completing her BASI Training in 2009.

Maisie comes to SEND mediation from a Legal background, with a Masters in Law. During her studies, she completed a large chunk of research, and her Masters' dissertation, on Emotional Based School Avoidance (EBSA) and the need for reforming laws surrounding school attendance, to promote SEND pupil equity.

Maisie is an Accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator as well as an Accredited SEND Mediator and is on the jointly maintained CMC and CoM SEND Register of professionals. She is also a member of the Society of Mediators. 

She has a unique insight into the world of SEND from growing up in a SEND household, and so holds a personal perspective on adolescent mental health issues and EBSA, as well as the daunting EHCP process. This personal experience contributes to a nuanced understanding. 

When she is not working, Maisie is passionate about travelling and volunteering. On a more local basis, Maisie likes to keep fit by attending the gym and running - especially taking part in charity races - and hopes to complete the Great North Run later this year. In her downtime, she enjoys baking, much to the delight of her friends and family!

Simon comes to mediation after a rich entrepreneurial career in the small business, nonprofit, and charitable sectors. He is an Accredited SEND Mediator with experience in workplace, civil, commercial, and community disputes. Since 2020, he has also co-led a growing West Sussex charity he founded with his wife, supporting vulnerable people in times of crisis.

Holding an Honours Degree in Business Studies, Simon has worked in many different roles with all kinds of stakeholders including serving as a founding governor of a free school in Brighton for five years, deepening his empathy for all parties involved in special educational needs provision.

Simon’s varied experience—in sectors including microfinance, language and cultural training and now social work—has given him strong insight into interpersonal and organisational dynamics. His mediation style is calm, respectful, and hopeful, creating safe spaces for honest dialogue, understanding, and resolution.

Outside of work, Simon loves being with his family, enjoys Ceroc dancing, keeping fit, water sports, and reading. He values deep friendship and mentors several young adults, supporting their growth both personally and professionally. His interests reflect a deep commitment to connection, empathy, and the transformative power of being heard.

Phil’s route to mediation was through his twenty years as a litigation solicitor. He qualified as a mediator in 2006 and became a full-time mediator in 2008. He is a Fellow of the Civil Mediation Council.

Phil is one of the UK’s most experienced clinical negligence and personal injury mediators. His commercial practice also includes mediating acrimonious disputes about wills and trusts, and he says growing up as younger one of six children taught him a lot about family dynamics and the patience and resilience needed to work though difficulties.

Phil has designed and delivered numerous mediation training courses for lawyers and continues to assist in the education of the legal profession in effective mediation advocacy.

Phil has worked as a volunteer mediator for Law Works and for his local police constabulary and is a trained restorative justice practitioner.

Phil lives within an hour of the Lake District and goes there often to walk up the fells or around the lakes. He is also a keen cyclist and fan of his hometown rugby league team the Saints. These activities compete for his free time with a recently taken on allotment.