Mandy Lenton
Lead Faculty, Trainer
Short Introduction
I am passionate about equipping people with the skills and confidence to navigate conflict and have difficult conversations well. As a CEDR Lead Faculty member, I design and deliver training that combines practical insight with a supportive and energising learning environment. My approach is grounded, clear, and interactive — I want participants to leave not only with new tools, but also with the confidence to apply them in the moments that matter most.
About Work
I built my early career as a litigation solicitor, culminating in leading the Real Estate Litigation team at Clifford Chance. For the last 15 years I have been a full-time commercial mediator, working on high-value, complex and often emotionally charged disputes. In addition to mediating, I love my work as a trainer and coach. Clients describe me as clear, supportive, and insightful, helping them grow their skills and confidence.
As one of CEDR’s Lead Faculty, I train mediators at every stage of their development — from those starting out to highly experienced practitioners seeking to deepen their expertise. I bring insight from years of complex practice into the training room, and my style is interactive and energised: I listen closely, create space for reflection, and help people connect theory with real-world practice in ways that are practical and lasting.
My coaching background brings an added dimension to my training. I am a Barefoot-trained, ICF-accredited coach, building on more than 30 years of experience in dispute resolution and supporting professionals in demanding roles. I am known for listening deeply, asking the right questions, and helping people make connections that bring clarity to complex situations.
I also contribute to the development of the mediation field more widely, most recently through facilitating the Civil Mediation Council’s Launch Pad programme for new mediators and serving as a judge at the 2024 National Mediation Awards. Across all these roles, my focus is on thought leadership — creating learning experiences that are engaging, challenging, and transformative.
Sectors
- Commercial Mediation
- Conflict Management
- Difficult Conversations
- Executive Coaching
- Facilitation
- Leadership Development
- Mediation Skills Training
- Psychological Safety & Inclusion
- Team Dynamics
Key Skills
My training style is interactive and energised, combining clarity with space for reflection. I draw on years of practice as a mediator to make complex ideas accessible and to connect learning with real-world challenges. Participants often remark on the enthusiasm and energy I bring to training, alongside the clarity and insight that help them build confidence in their own abilities.
I work with a wide range of audiences, from new mediators to experienced practitioners, and from judges and barristers to solicitors, expert witnesses, and organisational leaders. Across these settings, I am known for:
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Creating safe yet challenging learning environments
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Translating complex practice into accessible learning
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Designing courses and developing role plays that bring scenarios to life
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Supporting reflective practice and self-awareness
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Encouraging confidence and adaptability under pressure
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Above all, I aim to make training engaging, memorable, and practical.
Qualifications
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Judge, National Mediation Awards 2024
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CEDR-accredited Mediator (2007)
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MA (Law), University of Cambridge
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Solicitor (currently non-practising)
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Lead Faculty
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CEDR Barefoot-trained
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ICF-accredited
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Coach Fellow
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Civil Mediation Council
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Legal 500 Leading Mediator Mental Health First Aider Signatory
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World Mediators Alliance on Climate Change Green Pledge