Marie Coombes worked for Royal Mail for 17 years, specialising in conflict resolution and mediation, training, change management, employee and industrial relations and employee engagement. In 2014 she became an accredited mediator through the Open College Network. A highly experienced mediator, she has completed over 200 cases in a variety of complex and often volatile environments and industry sectors. Her strong relationships with frontline staff, union officials and management at all levels has smoothed the way to a successful outcome in an overwhelming majority of her cases.

As well as mediations, Marie develops and delivers bespoke group mediations, team facilitations and wider ranging engagement activity to help understand the root cause of issues in a particular business unit. She particularly specialises in helping organisations improve employee wellbeing and engagement by the use of resolution-focused employee relations and effective conflict management.

As an experienced trainer, Marie’s primary focus is providing courses that exceed clients and delegates expectations and throughout her career she has designed and delivered many courses to huge success. Clients have included HSBC, Unison, CWU, the Civil Service, TSB and Public Health England.

She has a particular interest in mental health and the impact conflict has on employee wellbeing and psychological safety. Prior to leaving Royal Mail she was the team mentor for mental health issues in mediations as well as a company-wide Mental Health Ambassador. She regularly speaks on supporting mental health in mediation, including a highly regarded half day CPD session. She is also Mental Health First Aider & Certified Course Instructor.

In 2020 she was nominated for and won the workplace mediator of the year award at the National Mediation Awards in recognition of her excellence in the field of mediation, and in particular for her expertise in mental health and her rapid adaptation to online mediation in the face of the Covid19 pandemic. She also holds an MBA and is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.

In her spare time, she enjoys walking her 2 dogs, listening to music, running and weight training, and spending time with her family.