Conflict Resolution Expert, Mediator and Coach
Resolve Conflict. Strengthen Relationships. Move Forward.
Conflict at work or at home can leave you doubting yourself and dreading the next conversation. You do not have to work it out alone. I am a CEDR-accredited mediator, conflict consultant and conflict coach, and I help founders, teams and individuals resolve disputes calmly, confidentially and for the long term.
In person across the UK, particularly in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire and the East of England. Consulting for clients online globally.
How I Can Help
Mediation
Guiding founders and small businesses through challenging interpersonal dynamics and structural conflicts to rebuild trust and restore productive working relationships.
Best for: co-founder and partner disputes, team breakdowns and family businesses.
Conflict Consulting
Identifying the root causes of workplace tension to enhance overall communication and build lasting structural resilience within your entire organisation, with training, policies and reporting routes designed around how your teams actually work.
Best for: teams and organisations that keep running into the same friction.
1:1 Conflict Coaching
Personalised support to help individuals navigate challenging personal disputes, including complex family dynamics, workplace tensions, and issues after separation.
Best for: anyone who wants support but is not ready, or able, to bring the other person into the room.
I also act as an arbitrator in maritime and international commercial disputes through my separate practice, Francesca Santoro Consulting. You can read more about arbitration here.
How I Resolve Conflict
My approach to conflict resolution is holistic. I create a space where each person involved feels safe enough to express their thoughts, needs, and emotions openly. That’s the foundation for effective, respectful communication.
We go beneath the surface, behind the words, positions, and frustration, to understand what’s really going on. Often, conflict isn’t just about strategy or money. It’s about values, identity, and the way we connect (or fail to connect) with others.
Conflict, handled well, can be a turning point. It can unlock insight, fuel growth, and strengthen your relationships and your business.
We all fight. We all miscommunicate. But that doesn’t mean relationships must break down. Together, we can find lasting solutions that help your business thrive.
About Me
I began my career as an English-qualified solicitor, working for over 15 years in high-stakes legal environments, from in-house insurance work in global conglomerates to transportation and logistics law and insurance at the United Nations World Food Programme. Whether the dispute was worth millions or was a negotiated settlement, I was drawn to the human side of conflict: the tension, the emotion, the opportunity for transformation.
In 2019, I completed a Master’s degree in Conflict Prevention and Dispute Resolution at the University of Westminster, graduating with distinction. I followed that with CEDR accreditation as a professional mediator. I’ve worked with founders, family businesses, startups, and cross-functional teams across the UK.
- CEDR-accredited professional mediator
- English-qualified solicitor with over 15 years in high-stakes legal environments
- Master’s degree in Conflict Prevention and Dispute Resolution, University of Westminster (distinction)
- Experience with cross-cultural teams, neurodiverse individuals and gender-diverse perspectives, including in volatile or high-stakes environments
How It Works
1
A free 20-minute call. You tell me what is going on, with no obligation.
2
The right approach. We agree what fits your situation best. That might be mediation, consulting or coaching, or a combination of them, and we can adjust the plan as things develop.
3
Clear steps forward. Practical outcomes and alignment, with support to keep communicating well afterwards.
What You Can Expect Working With Me
- A calm, confidential space to talk openly, without judgment
- Support through high-emotion conversations, with care and professionalism
- A focus on equity, communication and shared interests, especially in diverse teams
- Clear steps toward resolution, alignment and practical outcomes
- Coaching and tools to help your team communicate better long-term
Curious how you handle conflict?
Take my free two-minute conflict style quiz and find out which of five styles sounds most like you.
Ready to talk it through?
Book a free 20-minute call, tell me what is happening and we will work out a sensible next step together. There is no obligation.