Contact details:

Wardway Farm
Wardway
North Petherton
Bridgwater
Somerset TA6 6PE

Telephone: 01278 662240
Mobile: 07710483155
e-mail: mediation@petermerson.com

I qualified as a veterinary surgeon from Cambridge University and, after three years in veterinary practice, spent the majority of my professional life with the Milk Marketing Board, where I was responsible for health and fertility in its national cattle breeding service. In 1995 I was appointed as the first Chief Executive of the Milk Development Council, funding research and development in the dairy industry and the promotion of milk to the public. More recently, I was the National Coordinator for the Veterinary Business Liaison Unit, based at the Royal Veterinary College, building better links between the UK veterinary schools and veterinary businesses. In 2004 I became an accredited mediator with the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution, and I am a member of the Civil Mediation Council.

Veterinary Experience:

• Brought up on 500 acre family mixed farm in Somerset, with main business in cereals, beef cattle and a pedigree Dorset Down flock for the ram trade.
• Veterinary education at Churchill College, Cambridge, graduating with BA in 1972 (part 2 genetics) and VetMB and MRCVS in 1975.
• 1975-1978 ­ Mixed Practice with the Hale Veterinary Group, Chippenham and R B Hooper, Lydney.
• 1978-1995 ­ Veterinary Officer ­ later Senior VO, Head of Production and Managing Veterinary Surgeon with the Milk Marketing Board and Genus Breeding.
• 1995 ­ 2001 ­ Chief Executive: Milk Development Council (MDC) Planned, directed and implemented the policies, strategies and practices of the MDC within the relevant legislation. Acted as the primary point of contact with a wide range of stakeholders, through a period of major economic and political change. The designated Accounting Officer for the MDC, reporting to Parliament and the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales.
• 2002 ­ 2004 ­ National Coordinator: Veterinary Business Liaison Unit (Royal Veterinary College) Coordinated active collaborations between veterinary businesses and the 6 UK Veterinary schools, with particular regard to student EMS placements and CPD. Developed a knowledge base for the veterinary profession and used innovative methods (particularly e-technology) to reach out to small businesses. Key liaison role with Government departments, RCVS and other professional bodies, and allied trades.

My NHS experience includes 4 years as a non-executive director of Cotswold and Vale Primary Care Trust, where I took particular interest in patient and public involvement, in clinical governance and in patient safety. I acted as the PCT¹s Complaints Convenor resolving complaints against GPs, Dentists and NHS staff. I chaired numerous appeal panels relating to NHS funding of continuing health care and procedures not normally funded by the NHS. I have recently returned to my roots at North Petherton, together with my wife Rowena, where we have a small family farm. I am a non-executive director for Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust (Musgrove Park Hospital). In my spare time I enjoy cycling, windsurfing and wine, but not necessarily in that order!

Dispute Resolution Experience:

• 28 years experience as a manager working in caring professions, 18 of them at senior/director level. The jobs I have sought and enjoyed most included elements of bringing people together. Examples include:
  • As the UK delegate to an EU team developing the international trade in livestock genetics, I helped improve knowledge and understanding between related professionals.
  • As Chief Executive of the Milk Development Council, I brought together people with diverse interests in the dairy industry to agree R&D and promotional programmes.
  • My role at the Royal Veterinary College brought together the six UK veterinary schools to collaborate in links with veterinary businesses. I also acted as Tutor to students, which involved elements of professional guidance and pastoral care.
• Personal experience of a protracted legal dispute and the financial and emotional consequences thereof. I was able to see this through to resolution, partially through experiencing the power of mediation.
• Formal and assessed commercial mediator training at CEDR (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution), leading to Accredited Mediator status in December 2004.
• I followed up the CEDR training with 6 appointments as an assistant mediator, various CPD activities relating to mediation and appointments as lead mediator in Court Scheme mediations. I am seeking and finding new roles in which to apply mediation skills.
• Post-accreditation experience as a commercial mediator. Cases include:
  • Family disputes over property inheritance and probate.
  • Professional negligence, capability and capacity issues
  • Contractual issues and disputed accounts
  • Personal injury and insurance
  • Landlord/Tenant disputes
  • Freeholder/Leaseholder disputes
  • Mortgage repossessions
  • Voluntary organisations, housing associations etc.
  • Racial and gender issues
  • Experience where one or both parties has CFA (no win / no fee agreements)
• Memberships of OXCHEPS panel of higher education mediators, Civil Mediation Council, Veterinary Association for Arbitration and Jurisprudence and Veterinary Mediation Association.

Capabilities and Personal Attributes:

• A high profile ambassador with vision and foresight to inspire and lead change. Focuses an organisation¹s mission and values, forging common purpose and bridging cultural divides.
• Proactive, structured and systematic in reviewing and balancing priorities. Initiates, focuses and directs programmes and projects to deliver progressive, measurable results.
• Innovative lateral thinker with analytical approach to complex problems. Visualises optimal solutions, then plans, creates and champions the culture and conditions to achieve them.
• Open and approachable, using empathetic listening and persuading skills to facilitate good communication. Builds and maintains strong teams and harmonious long-term relationships.
• Intelligent, idealistic, honest and loyal, seeing obstacles as challenges and persevering through adversity to achieve personal and organisational goals with benefits to society.