If your organisation would benefit from improvements in any of the following HR metrics, this event should not be missed

Hosted by the CIPD South East Scotland Branch “Less Drama, Better Resolution” will be delivered by CIPD members Fiona Gray and Colin Sturrock.

This session will examine how organisations can reduce unnecessary workplace drama and protect business success by intervening early and constructively when tensions arise. Members of Scottish Mediation Network will also be in attendance.

The event will explore the principles and practicalities of early informal intervention, demonstrating how timely conversations and structured approaches can prevent issues from escalating into costly and draining formal disputes. Participants will consider how early resolution supports clarity, collaboration and improved working relationships, and how these practices contribute to healthier, productive and more resilient workplace cultures.

The event will include insights from our experienced mediation consultants, discussion of real-world scenarios, and practical tools that HR professionals, managers and leaders can apply in the workplace.

Held on Wednesday the 7 October, 09:00 – 11:00, in the Commons meeting room at The Melting Pot, Edinburgh, the session will provide a focused environment for learning, reflection and peer exchange.

Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the benefits of early informal intervention, how it can be accessed (internally and externally), and how it can strengthen your people culture and organisational success.

Speakers Bio

Fiona Gray MCIPD is an experienced HR Business Partner. After many years as a commercial manager, she trained and qualified as an HR BP working nationally across the John Lewis and Partners network of department stores, Waitrose supermarkets, organisational logistics and shared services.

During the pandemic, Fiona added mediation to her professional portfolio. In 2021, she joined the Employment Law team at Anderson Strathern LLP, supporting a diverse range of clients across all sectors, with all aspects of the employee lifecycle, including mediation.

During her time at Anderson Strathern, Fiona became passionate about the benefits of workplace mediation and last year founded her own business, ‘Mediation with Fiona’ www.fiona-gray.co.uk. Today, Fiona draws on her vast experience working with individuals at all levels and from all backgrounds to support clients to avoid and manage workplace conflict. Fiona is a member of the CIPD SE Scotland branch and a Board Member of the Excellence Committee at Scottish Mediation.

Colin Sturrock MCIPD is an experienced HR consultant, mediator and founder of Seton HR Solutions - https://setonhr.co.uk Colin supports SMEs and growing businesses based in the Scottish Borders and further afield with practical HR advice, employee relations support, policy development and people-focused solutions that help create fair, productive and legally compliant workplaces.

Mediation is a central part of Colin’s work. As a registered member of Scottish Mediation, he helps individuals and organisations resolve workplace conflict constructively, giving people the opportunity to be heard, rebuild working relationships and agree practical ways forward. His approach is calm, impartial and focused on reducing escalation while supporting healthier workplace cultures.

Colin is an advocate of the CIPD and is a volunteer committee member of the CIPD South East Scotland Branch, serving as Special Interest Group Lead for the Scottish Borders. Through this role, he helps connect local HR professionals and promote good practice, learning and collaboration across the region.

Please note:

1. Reminder emails will be sent to you the day before, with a further reminder on the day of the event.

2. Photography and video production may be taking place at the event, and these images may be used in the CIPD newsletters.

3. By attending the event, you are giving your consent for your image to be used on any CIPD promotional materials.

4. As we are supplying refreshments, if you can no longer attend, please cancel your place either on Eventbrite, responding to this email.

5. This event may include an external speaker who has prepared their own presentation. Any views or opinions expressed by the speaker are their own and do not reflect those of the CIPD.

6. If you require any reasonable adjustments to enhance your experience, please get in contact with us by responding to this email and we will do our best to accommodate.

Description supplied by the event organiser.