Long Established: The Family Mediators Association – FMA – was established in 1988, now with a membership of around 350 family mediators.
Pioneering: FMA is a lead body and founding member of the Family Mediation Council (FMC), which co-ordinates regulation of and develops common standards for professional family mediators.
Training & Development: FMA is the longest-established provider of family mediation training in the independent sector in England and Wales. For over 25 years we have delivered our training to more than 2500 professionals. We remain at the forefront of conflict resolution training and offer a wide range of training courses run by some of family mediation’s most respected trainers.
The structure for the management and supervision of the family mediation profession in the UK is as follows:
Each family mediator requires current membership with both the Family Mediation Council (FMC) and at least one member organisation (MO). We very much hope you will choose FMA!
The structure for the management and supervision of the family mediation profession in the UK is as follows:
Each family mediator requires current membership with both the Family Mediation Council (FMC) and at least one member organisation (MO). We very much hope you will choose FMA!
The FMA is the only member organisation of the FMC dedicated to representing the interests of professional family mediators, whatever their background, together with the interests of the families who need help from those professionals. With a more diverse membership, we are a strong voice to challenge and support the FMC and the Government to promote family medition of the highest standard. A strong FMA means a strong profession.
Member benefits:
• Highest quality training – at discounted rates
• Supporting communities of members and helping with isolation
• Keeping you up to date – with developments in best practice, standards, emerging models, resources, case studies etc.
• Promoting you, your practice, and Family Mediation
• Family Mediation Week (we created it, so we remain hugely involved in delivering a top quality programme)
• A Strong Voice – we canvass our members’ views and feed these into FMC and (FMSB).
• to help families in dispute find and make use of high-quality family mediation services;
• to provide a home, a community and a voice for professional family mediators from all backgrounds, working within an interdisciplinary and flexible model of family mediation.
• to support and educate mediators, especially our members, in their provision of professional and sensitive assistance to families in dispute, ensuring that children’s voices are heard;
• to lead the family mediation profession nationally.
• to promote family mediation as the first step in resolving family disputes;
• to implement the regulation of the family mediation profession and to promote best practice;
• to engage our members in an active and supportive community of family mediators.
• to help people in England and Wales to find FMA mediators who work to recognised standards;
• to educate the public and other professionals about mediation, and to promote the values and practice of mediation;
• to provide consultancy and affordable training to family mediators, our fellow family justice and other professionals.
• to continue to develop a robust and flexible interdisciplinary model of family mediation that adapts to meet the needs of families in dispute;
• to help family mediators provide sensitive and professional assistance to families in dispute;
• to continue to develop standards for and to support our members in their provision of professional family mediation services.
• everyone should be given the best opportunity possible to find out about resolving their immediate and extended family disputes in a co-operative way;
• mediators must be able to provide a variety of services to meet ever more complex and entrenched family legal disputes, and must have a commitment to ensuring that the voice of the child is heard;
• mediation sometimes benefits from partnership with other professionals including lawyers, especially in difficult cases;
• mediation is a creative process, involving not only legal knowledge and expertise but also a commitment to co-operation and collaboration;
• mediation gives priority to inclusivity and respecting difference, and a family mediation organisation should do the same;
• family and other forms of mediation are part of a growing worldwide movement to resolve conflicts in a co-operative way.
Our work is supported by a number of very eminent family justice professionals, whose invaluable expertise and goodwill is provided on a voluntary basis. We are very grateful to them for all they do for us.
Mediation is an inclusive process. It is designed to support and empower the participants to make decisions about the issues that they seek to resolve. This principles of self-determination and respect are core aspects of the process. To deliver effective mediation mediators remain impartial and neutral to the participants’ background.
As a membership organisation representing mediators, the FMA is committed to the principles of Equality and Diversity. Our Equality and Diversity statement is available on request.
FMA President: Mr Justice Andrew Moylan
FMA Vice Presidents Prof: Chris Barton, Cherie Booth QC, Henry Brown (Co-founder of FMA), Lord Mackay of Clashfern, HHJ Lord Meston QC, Lisa Parkinson (Co-founder of FMA and the first Director of FMA), HHJ isobel Plumstead, Judith Timms OBE, Emeritus Professor Janet Walker OBE
Board Members:
The Board consists of a volunteer team of professionals, elected by the full members of FMA for 3-year terms. Board members devote a huge amount of time and effort to keep this membership organisation at the forefront of family mediation. As well as the full board, we break down the work needed into smaller groups to promote family mediation and build on the success of FMA for our members.
Having qualified as a solicitor in 2003, my journey as a family mediator started in 2010 when I undertook the foundation training with the FMA. In 2011 I set up my own mediation practice, Vollans Mediation, based in Leeds. I became an FMC Accredited Family Mediator in 2015 (under the old system!) and since then have I qualified as a Child Inclusive Mediator and as a Professional Practice Consultant. In the last few years I have concentrated on running the service (which includes managing a Legal Aid contract), also completing a Masters in Conflict Resolution and supervising other mediators, including those working towards their FMC Accreditation. The family mediation field has developed at a rapid pace over the time I have been in practice. It is now possible to call it a profession in its own right with a single approach to quality assurance and self-regulation under the FMC since January 2016. In this context I recognise and appreciate the special position of the FMA, representing family mediators from a diverse range of professional backgrounds. As a board member, I would be keen to continue to promote the FMA as a leading membership organisation with a strong sense of the distinctiveness of family mediation. The FMA is well placed to offer leadership and training in the development of family mediation within the family mediation community itself. It also has a significant role to play in the promotion of family mediation as an effective dispute resolution process to the general public. As a membership organisation, it is important that we maintain professional standards and practice requirements in tension with fostering creative ways of thinking about the work we do. Training, encouraging and welcoming the next generation of family mediators is also a priority. I recognise that the transition from foundation training to accreditation can be particularly difficult and welcome the current Review of the Accreditation Process. With pressure on family mediators to produce cheaper and quicker solutions in the context of narrowly defined family disputes, championing the interests of members who undertake Legal Aid work is vital.
I became an FMC Accredited Family Mediator in 2015 (under the old system!) and since then have I qualified as a Child Inclusive Mediator and as a Professional Practice Consultant. In the last few years I have concentrated on running the service (which includes managing a Legal Aid contract), also completing a Masters in Conflict Resolution and supervising other mediators, including those working towards their FMC Accreditation. The family mediation field has developed at a rapid pace over the time I have been in practice. .Having qualified as a solicitor in 2003, my journey as a family mediator started in 2010 when I undertook the foundation training with the FMA. In 2011 I set up my own mediation practice, Vollans Mediation, based in Leeds. I became an FMC Accredited Family Mediator in 2015 (under the old system!) and since then have I qualified as a Child Inclusive Mediator and as a Professional Practice Consultant. In the last few years I have concentrated on running the service (which includes managing a Legal Aid contract), also completing a Masters in Conflict Resolution and supervising other mediators, including those working towards their FMC Accreditation. The family mediation field has developed at a rapid pace over the time I have been in practice. It is now possible to call it a profession in its own right with a single approach to quality assurance and self-regulation under the FMC since January 2016. In this context I recognise and appreciate the special position of the FMA, representing family mediators from a diverse range of professional backgrounds. As a board member, I would be keen to continue to promote the FMA as a leading membership organisation with a strong sense of the distinctiveness of family mediation. The FMA is well placed to offer leadership and training in the development of family mediation within the family mediation community itself. It also has a significant role to play in the promotion of family mediation as an effective dispute resolution process to the general public. As a membership organisation, it is important that we maintain professional standards and practice requirements in tension with fostering creative ways of thinking about the work we do. Training, encouraging and welcoming the next generation of family mediators is also a priority. I recognise that the transition from foundation training to accreditation can be particularly difficult and welcome the current Review of the Accreditation Process. With pressure on family mediators to produce cheaper and quicker solutions in the context of narrowly defined family disputes, championing the interests of members who undertake Legal Aid work is vital.
Anna Vollans
Chair
I mediate on children issues and financial matters and have done quite a bit of inter generational family mediation. I am also a work place mediator. I have been sitting on the FMA national board since September 2016 and have been acting as committee secretary for the past 12 months.
When I am not working I am running after 2 young children on the weekends they are with me and I am a very keen runner.
When I am not working I am running after 2 young children on the weekends they are with me and I am a very keen runner.
Sally Clark
Vice-Chair
She is also a civil and commercial mediator, a family consultant to the collaborative law process, a lecturer and mediation trainer. She is the Director and founder of Mediation North West.
She was re-elected to the Board in 2004. Between 2005 and 2012 she became the National Mediation representative on the Family Justice Council before re-joining the Board in 2012 and is currently the FMA’s representative on the Family Mediation Council. During her various time on the Board she has worked on committee’s for PPC’s, Complaints, Legal Aid, FMA accreditation (SMS), Membership, Education, Standards and Ethics, Conferences and Special events and Marketing, Beverley is a PPC, an FMC competence assessor and undertakes child inclusive mediation. She is also a civil and commercial mediator, a family consultant to the collaborative law process, a lecturer and mediation trainer. She is the Director and founder of Mediation North West.
Beverley Sayers
Secretary, FMC Liaison and Conference Committee)
and I regularly carry out training on domestic abuse, the impact on victims and children and the law. I very much look forward to bringing my skillset to the board and having the opportunity to look to the future of mediation and how it can work in the future.
In 2002 I joined Stone King and with the support of my now PPC I carried out my training with FMA and began mediating soon afterwards. I am a qualified PPC and am able to consult with children, I am also a trained collaborative lawyer. My family work consists not only mediation work but also legal work, I am a Resolution accredited specialist in Domestic Abuse and Children. and I regularly carry out training on domestic abuse, the impact on victims and children and the law. I very much look forward to bringing my skillset to the board and having the opportunity to look to the future of mediation and how it can work in the future.
Rebecca Eels
Membership Committee
I am also experienced in child inclusive mediations. I understand the process and challenges of the profession having worked in this capacity for many years.
Having spent a lifetime in the profession I have a wealth of contacts and connections with people in the Family Justice system which I feel will be of benefit to the board and FMA in general. I have trained dispute resolution practitioners both in England and internationally. I have presented extensively on the benefits of alternative ways of resolving family disputes outside of the court process. I am passionate in promoting the mediation process and I want to bring all of my passion to promoting the FMA.
I was a member of Resolution`s DR committee for many years and a past chair of Law Net. I am a member of Resolutions collaborative law working party and the European Collaborative Network. I will bring all this experience to the board and FMA. I have a wealth of knowledge dealing with complex financial and children matters. I have worked with some of the top London Family Practices. I am an experienced mediator and I am known for my ability to safely manage high conflict cases. I am also experienced in child inclusive mediations. I understand the process and challenges of the profession having worked in this capacity for many years.
Having spent a lifetime in the profession I have a wealth of contacts and connections with people in the Family Justice system which I feel will be of benefit to the board and FMA in general. I have trained dispute resolution practitioners both in England and internationally. I have presented extensively on the benefits of alternative ways of resolving family disputes outside of the court process. I am passionate in promoting the mediation process and I want to bring all of my passion to promoting the FMA.
William Hogg
Membership Committee
I have been married to Lewis, a family barrister, for a really long time, having met him on my first day at university. My life is based in London with Lewis, with occasional forays to Kidderminster and France.
I am most interested in people, but words run a very close second – reading, writing and performing them – and I know that sometimes all the words can get in the way of the people.
and as the administrator of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (now the IA of Family Lawyers). I still have some legal publishing clients, but spend most of the working week seeing family mediation clients with my splendid co-mediator Sheila Turner. I have found the mediation community a warm and supportive place to be based and would like to help it stay that way. My favourite jobs at present are actually being a grandma – currently three grandchildren, but not done yet – and as the mother of four young men (not all that young any more) and the mother in law of three very wonderful young women. I have been married to Lewis, a family barrister, for a really long time, having met him on my first day at university. My life is based in London with Lewis, with occasional forays to Kidderminster and France.
I am most interested in people, but words run a very close second – reading, writing and performing them – and I know that sometimes all the words can get in the way of the people.
Philippa Johnson
Communication, Engagement and Marketing Committee and Conference Committee
Neil has an abiding interest in the interrelationship between mediation, peacebuilding, song and sustainability and has now published a series of 17 “Conversation Pieces” for Family Law to encourage deeper thinking and dialogue. Though “semi-retired,” he is delighted to be still part of the mediation and FMA com Following graduation from Oxford University in Jurisprudence, and upon qualification as a solicitor, I practiced both family law and commercial litigation, and was a Partner at Nabarro LLP, now part of CMS.
Neil Robinson
Conference Committee
I am a keen runner, and love hiking, yoga and pilates. I have two lovely black Labradors I enjoy walking, and like to read, knit and go to the theatre. I currently volunteer to teach English one on one as a foreign language, which has been an interesting new challenge!
Rebekah Gershuny
Board Member
at Durham University and then whilst volunteering for, and eventually being employed by, the Citizen Advice Bureau. Following my graduation, I had the opportunity to observe my now colleagues and supervisors; and I have been an ardent advocate for mediation ever since.
Oliver Dobson
Young FMA
I hosted several thousand radio shows on the BBC, and have presented and produced multiple successful podcast series, prior to becoming a mediator. I therefore have a very wide skillset around communications, media management, corporate messaging and high-quality content creation. I media train businesses and individuals, and specialise in helping people to feel confident around microphones, cameras and the digital space – be that on a simple Zoom call, or doing a live interview with Radio 4. I have extensive experience of talking to the media and have full home audio and video studio facilities in order to do so. I also still have many high profile contacts within the media. I hope I would bring a fresh perspective to how the FMA communicates, both in terms of the work it does, as well as the wider family mediation profession. I am keen to raise the profile of what we all do as mediators. All too often, it is not represented in the media during discussions around divorce and separation. As a male mediator, I am also passionate about bringing more diversity to the profession. I was a Co-Chair of school governors for 11 years and have also worked closely with many charities, large and small, over the years. I feel I have a range of skills to bring something fresh and different to the board and the association, and be part of moving it forward.
I recently qualified as a family mediator after working as a radio presenter at the BBC for 15 years, where I was on air 6 days per week at a large local radio station. I have was also a published food author. Prior to becoming a broadcaster, I successfully ran two businesses, one of them in France for ten years. I live in Hertfordshire with a combined total of 6 children and one very cute dog.
I hosted several thousand radio shows on the BBC, and have presented and produced multiple successful podcast series, prior to becoming a mediator. I therefore have a very wide skillset around communications, media management, corporate messaging and high-quality content creation. I media train businesses and individuals, and specialise in helping people to feel confident around microphones, cameras and the digital space – be that on a simple Zoom call, or doing a live interview with Radio 4. I have extensive experience of talking to the media and have full home audio and video studio facilities in order to do so. I also still have many high profile contacts within the media. I hope I would bring a fresh perspective to how the FMA communicates, both in terms of the work it does, as well as the wider family mediation profession. I am keen to raise the profile of what we all do as mediators. All too often, it is not represented in the media during discussions around divorce and separation. As a male mediator, I am also passionate about bringing more diversity to the profession. I was a Co-Chair of school governors for 11 years and have also worked closely with many charities, large and small, over the years. I feel I have a range of skills to bring something fresh and different to the board and the association, and be part of moving it forward.
Nick Coffer
Board Member
Catherine was a Finalist at the National Mediation Awards 2022, and her company, Stratford Family Mediation, was a winner at Stratford Herald Business and Tourism Awards.
Catherine is a Taekwondo black belt, an enthusiastic amateur gardener (Chair of the local gardening club), and everyday plays badminton and walks her beloved dogs, Betsy and Tuppence.
Cathy Frances
Board Member
She is deeply committed to facilitating processes that empower participants to create meaningful, lasting solutions. Her expertise in navigating high-conflict and complex safeguarding cases, supported by extensive training in various language and restorative practices and frameworks, underscores her ability to manage challenging situations with care. Beyond her mediation practice, Carlie’s passion extends to education, as she continues to deliver training in restorative interventions and conflict resolution to organisations across both the public and private sectors.
I would love to be part of the FMA Board and contribute to the ongoing work and achievements. I believe that my experience and training could add value to the Board and I would love the opportunity to support the mediation world to grow and develop further.
Carlie Norris
Board Member
Our Administrative Team
FMA is run with the help of Northern Networking Events (NNE). NNE is a professional organisation providing support to various membership organisations and has been brilliantly assisting FMA with administrative support since 2011. For any enquiries, please contact our friendly and efficient administrative team. Call the FMA telephone number 01355 244 594 or e-mail to info@thefma.co.uk
