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Jonathan Dingle FRSA

Faculty Leader, International Mediator and Mentor 

Jonathan Dingle is an institution in mediation.  The founder of the Civil Mediation Council and later the Society of Mediators, he is leader of the Faculty at 218 Strand - the Society of Mediators' training arm.  Jonathan works across the UK, in Europe and South Africa, and in the USA/Caribbean on a wide variety of commercial, civil, relationship, and workplace matters - as well as international and regional cases involving the most complex issues.   He is working in township suburbs of Johannesburg on restorative justice mediation and on islands in the Mediterranean to develop effective access to resolution.  He has be honoured with numerous awards and is a FRSA, as well as a member of the Middle Temple, a barrister, and an arbitrator in sub-Saharan Africa. 

Jonathan has undertaken more than 2,500 mediations and ADR processes (as of April 2024) and recent matters have included nationally important artefacts, major artistic disagreements, personal relationship breakdowns, the fate of animals, armed forces issues, and cross-border commercial disputes.  He undertakes highly sensitive matters involving people from all situations and government bodies and holds relevant security clearances.   He is non-judgemental and has worked with people from every walk of life and background with feedback that includes "legendary", "a caring and incisive neutral", and "(Jonathan was) the difference between commercial destruction and the effective and durable outcome we have now achieved".

Following a career in the Royal Navy and a few small wars, and a period as Judge Advocate, Jonathan chose to specialise in conflict resolution, particularly in cases where there are relationship issues, failures of communication, serious injuries or harm, and those with a military element.  He balances his court work and a busy mediation practice with supporting four grandsons in their quests for fun, and exploring the planet on old motorcycles.   Based in London, he has ties to the South West of England and to New England, and spends much time at the moment working in Greece and South Africa, as well as the Caribbean.  

An early adopter and staunch advocate of ADR in the UK, Jonathan has written chapters on the subject for a number of legal texts as well as the best-selling handbook Practical Mediation.  He is available to mediate, to lead courses, or to be shot with NERF guns by his grandsons around the world.  +44 207 353 3936  support@218Strand.com 

John Sephton

John Sephton is an experienced mediator and leadership professional with specialist skills in business coaching, behavioural change, achievement, and conflict resolution. He holds Chartered Fellowships with the CIPD and the CMI.

Following a career as an Officer in the Royal Navy, John has utilised his skills to working with senior leaders and teams within organisations, as well as with individuals in achieving clarity of purpose and / or resolving conflict in the often seemingly intractable challenges that can be encountered in the workplace.

Richard Bull

Prior to becoming a mediator Richard Bull served as a Police Officer for over 30 years.He has been trained to the very highest levels of police negotiation and spent many years dealing with high-risk and high-profile incidents of kidnap, hostage and crisis as well as matters relating to counter terrorism.

Richard was also involved in the selection and training of other negotiators. He has found that many of these skills lend themselves to being an effective and pragmatic mediator and is keen to use his experience as a trainer to assist others in developing and refining their skill set.