YOUR FAMILY MEDIATION TEAM

MEET YOUR FAMILY MEDIATION TEAM

It is good to put a name to a face and that is why we have this page! We are immensely proud of our diversity and believe it gives us a unique outlook. Together we embrace difference ranging from age, gender, sexuality, race, culture, language, religion and disability.  We are looking forward to meeting you and supporting you through family mediation.
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Stuart Hanson B Mus (Hons), FMCA, PPC

Managing Partner, Internal Supervisor & Family Mediator

Stuart is a Family Mediator accredited by the Family Mediation Council (FMC) in all issues and a member of Resolution. He is also a Professional Practice Consultant (PPC) and the Legal Aid internal supervisor at the firm. He also delivers training for mediators nationally on the subject of the LGBT+ family in the mediation room and the international family. He was previously a family magistrate in Leeds. Stuart works as a mediator both in the UK and abroad. He is the founder of the company and was instrumental in building the national network of mediators which the firm has. In 2018 Stuart was presented with a National Mediation Award and for a number of years was on the board of directors at The College of Mediators.

Ferdinard Chimere

Ferdinard Chimere BA

Administrator

Ferdinard is the voice of Direct Mediation Services, as he handles all the calls coming into the business. He graduated from University of Nigeria Nsukka with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration. Previously, he was a client service and quality assurance specialist for an outsourcing company. In his free time, Ferdinard loves football, music and literature. If you have heard him speak, you won’t be surprised that he is also a voice-over artist!

 
Dorian Ramirez Sosa

Dorian Ramirez Sosa PhD

Office & Finance Manager

Dorian initially studied in his home country of Mexico and later graduated with a PhD from the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Leeds. His research focused on the development of alternative biological routes for the conversion of waste-to-energy. Dorian’s scientific and analytical approaches are applied in his managing of the company’s office and finances. He is fluent in both English and Spanish and is supporting the business in its development in Spain. 

Sandra Ospina

Sandra Ospina B.Eng

Administrator

Sandra graduated from the National University of Colombia, with a degree in civil engineering, specialising in materials testing and quality management systems. In addition to this, she is also a professional translator, English to Spanish. Sandra works alongside Dorian working on maintaining the company’s compliance. In her free time, Sandra enjoys dancing and travelling.

Jan Coulton

Jan Coulton LLB (Hons), FMCA, PPC

External Supervisor & Family Mediator

Jan has been a mediator for 30 years. She is accredited by the FMC and has held many senior positions. She was previously the Director of the Family Mediators Association and a Member of the Ministry of Justice Family Mediation Steering Group. She is also a qualified solicitor. Until 2021 Jan was the Chair of The College of Mediators and in 2018 and 2020 won Family Mediator of the Year at the National Mediation Awards. She is the firm’s Legal Aid external supervisor.

Sandra Ospina

Kawtara Zazai

Administrator

Kawtara is a highly skilled member of our admin team, dedicated to assisting clients with their Legal Aid applications. With a university degree, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Fluent in several languages, including Pashto, Urdu, and Farsi, Kawtara connects with clients from diverse backgrounds. When she’s not working, she enjoys cooking and reading. Kawtara is also a mum to her teenage son.
Lesley Dudleston

Lesley Dudleston FMCA

Family Mediator

Lesley trained as a mediator with the FMA (Family Mediators Association) in 2014. She is accredited by the Family Mediation Council in all issues. Lesley mediates on both financial and child cases with particular experience working with families with teenagers – she is a mum with two teenage children. Lesley also has experience of working with clients on the autistic spectrum. Lesley is a member of Resolution and the Family Mediation Association.

 

Alan Nairn Family Mediator

Alan Nairn LLB (Hons), FMCA

Family Mediator

Alan served in the Royal Navy for 23 years travelling the world. In 2008 he graduated with a degree in law from the Open University and then went on to train as a mediator with the ADR Group. Alan specialises in family, workplace, civil and commercial mediation. He is also a registered as an accredited mediator with the Family Mediation Council. Alan is a member of Resolution.  

Belinda Jones

Donna Robinson FMCA

Family Mediator

Donna trained with FMA in 2018 and is accredited by the Family Mediation Council. Donna spent many years in Financial Services before coming to mediation. She qualified with the Chartered Insurance Institute to a degree level. She has a wealth of experience in the financial matters covering a wide range of areas, such as property, finances and mortgages. Donna is a member of the Family Mediation Council and the College of Mediators. Throughout her career, Donna has helped a number of high profile clients, such as Anthea Turner and features in her books “How to Survive Divorce”.  Donna is a mum with two grown up children.

Alan Nairn Family Mediator

Andrew Smith LLB (Hons), FMCA

Family Mediator

Andrew (Andy) is a Family Mediator accredited by the Family Mediation Council, and is a member of Resolution. Andy is a family law solicitor with many years of experience of working with families, having qualified as a solicitor in 2007. He has worked in family law in the Yorkshire region for over 16 years. Andy mediates on all issues, including finances and children. Andy is also a full-time dad, with two young children.

Rachel Marsden

Rachel Marsden LLB (Hons), LPC, FMCA

Family Mediator

Rachel practiced as a solicitor specialising in family law for 14 years. She then decided to embark on a new challenge and retrained as a Family Mediator. Since January 2016 she has worked exclusively as a Family Mediator accredited by the Family Mediation Council and is a member of The College of Mediators. Rachel is a busy working mum with two young children. 

Fran Bishop

Fran Bishop LLB, PGDL, FMCA

Family Mediator

Fran graduated from the University of Leeds in law and later was admitted to the Law Society of England and Wales to practice as a solicitor. After working for many years in commercial law, Fran decided to retrain as a family mediator with the Family Mediation Association (FMA). She is a mum to three teenagers and in her free time Fran is a trustee of the Friends of Erlestoke, a charity which looks to the wellbeing and rehabilitation of prisoners.
Annabelle-Flinn

Annabelle Flinn LLB (Hons), PGDL, FMCP

Family Mediator

Annabelle studied law at Aberystwyth University and gained a LLB (Hons). She then went on to do her postgraduate diploma in law. Annabelle has been a solicitor for 20 years practicing in many areas. She also works with community organisations to help those who are survivors of Domestic violence and provides support to vulnerable families and the homeless. Annabelle is working towards her full accreditation. Her aim is to help families find their new normal in difficult times.

Fran Bishop

Serena Davis LLB, FMCT

Family Mediator

Serena has been a solicitor for 20 years practicing in Commercial and Marine litigation, and a commercial mediator for nearly 15 years.  She is currently working towards full Family Mediation accreditation. A mother of two, Serena is keen to support couples as they move forward, ensuring that any children are at the heart of resolution. Also a commander in the Royal Navy Reserve, her previous role as equality and diversity trainer lends itself nicely with her desire to support separating same sex couples through mediation. Her empathetic and relaxed manner, alongside a proactive and confident style ensures that parties are effectively supported throughout the process and signposted accordingly.  Serena has a clear grasp of the law and practicalities of modern family dynamics, coupled with a well refined personable style of mediation.

Annabelle-Flinn

Will Heppell, BA (Hons), MSc, FMCT

Family Mediator

Will completed his post-graduate studies at the University of Leeds and has worked in the media and entertainment industry for 15 years.  Will completed the Family Mediation Council-approved family mediation training and is working toward accreditation.   He is a committed and enthusiastic mediator with a particular interest in assisting parents to work together to determine and sustainable co-parenting plan.  Will enjoys the outdoor life and he regularly surfs, and enjoys running with his border collie and boxing.