Mia Forbes Pirie
Mediator
Professional Overview
Mia Forbes Pirie is a commercial, workplace and public interest mediator specialising in complex disputes involving organisations, leadership teams, family businesses, sustainability, energy, equality, governance and social change. With a background spanning law, science, psychotherapy and public policy, she is particularly recognised for helping parties navigate disputes that are both technically and emotionally complex.
An award winning mediator and facilitator, Mia has worked with organisations including the G7, the European Commission, the Church of England and national governments. She is widely respected for her ability to bring people together across deeply divided viewpoints and help them engage in constructive dialogue.
Experience & Mediation Approach
Mia mediates workplace, partnership, governance and commercial disputes across a broad range of sectors, including energy, sustainability, sport, technology, property, professional services and public policy.
Before becoming a full time mediator, she worked as a solicitor advising FTSE 100 companies on competition and international trade law, and later advised UK and US government bodies on energy efficiency and environmental regulation. This combination of legal, scientific and behavioural expertise allows her to work confidently with disputes involving complex technical, regulatory and interpersonal issues.
Her mediation experience includes workplace grievances, bullying and discrimination claims, board and partnership disputes, family business succession issues, professional negligence matters, equality and diversity conflicts, sustainability initiatives and stakeholder disputes involving government, NGOs and businesses.
Clients value Mia's warm, insightful and highly adaptable style. She is particularly skilled at working with challenging personalities, sensitive issues and fractured relationships, helping parties build understanding, restore communication and identify practical ways forward.
Expertise
- Employment & Workplace
- Private Client
- Commercial & Corporate
- Culture, Lifestyle & Sport
- Equality & Social Justice
- Industry, Energy & Environment
- International Trade & Competition
Languages
- English
- Italian
- French
- German (basic)
Awards
Mia is winner of the UK Independent Mediator of the Year Award 2022 (Corporate International). In addition, she has been named an Inspirational Woman by We Are the City and chosen to be part of their Choose to Challenge 100 in 2021.
Memberships
CMC member
Publications
- Chatham House
Speaker on understanding conflict. - TEDx
Speaker on overcoming the crisis of polarisation. - UCL – Disagreeing Well Series
Author and Host of the Disagreeing Well public skills video series. - HuffPost (UK)
Former Blogger. - UK Mediation Journal
Author of multiple articles. - Kluwer Mediation Blog
Contributing Author, including:
“The Brexit Stalemate: No One Is Listening Anymore – Could the UK Actually Learn Something from Its Church?”