Mia Forbes Pirie
Leaders in Law endorses Mia Forbes Pirie as our exclusively recommended Independent Mediator expert in the United Kingdom. If you wish to get in touch with Mia use the contact information provided above.
An international mediator, facilitator and coach, Mia has had careers in law and science. In addition to her corporate clients and former career as a solicitor in a top City of London law firm; Mia has worked with governments, religious organisations and Members of Parliament. She has advised the US Department of Energy on using facilitated negotiation to develop controversial legislation.
Described as “a quiet storm”, Mia is trilingual. Educated in the UK, France and Belgium, she holds both a Masters of Law and Science. She has spoken at Chatham House on Conflict Resolution and hosted the European Commission’s Business Awards for the Environment. Recognised by We Are the City as an Inspirational Woman, Mia works with leaders on some of the most challenging issues of our time.
Building on her unique experience in law, negotiation, science and regulation, she approaches mediation as a process in which every party should win, following the philosophy that a jointly developed compromise generally yields the best results for all. She has a reputation for achieving practical and creative solutions whilst improving relationships. Before training as a mediator, Mia practised law for over seven years in the London office of a leading global law firm. As an EU, regulatory and international trade lawyer, she advised FTSE 100 corporations on some of the largest transactions in Europe. She further worked for several years advising the UK and US Governments on the development and implementation of product environmental performance regulation and has advised industry and international organisations on the implementation of energy efficiency regulation. She also advised the US Department of Energy on the merits of using the Negotiated Procedure, a more collaborative approach for the development of regulation.
Mia is trilingual (fluent in English, French and Italian). She has worked and lived in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, France and Italy. Recently, Mia facilitated between different parts of the Mongolian Government supporting them in developing and agreeing on new legislation. Her interests outside her professional work include sailing, yoga, hiking, poetry and arts.
Qualifications
Mia is a CEDR accredited workplace and commercial mediator. She holds a Masters in EC Law from the College of Europe, Bruges and a Masters of Science in Environmental Technology from Imperial College London. In additional to her CEDR accreditation, Mia has studied a number of other types of mediation including transformative mediation and faith-based dispute resolution. Her undergraduate degree is in Law with French Law from University College London. She has also studied coaching (including Health Coaching and Advanced Transformative Narrative Coaching) and a form of psychotherapy (Self-Leadership: IFS).
Energy, the environment and technology
Having already worked on cases involving energy and the environment, Mia left her career as a City solicitor in 2007. She studied at Imperial College where she was awarded a Masters of Science in Environmental Technology with Distinction. She was also joint winner of the Arcadis prize for risk assessment. Mia then worked for several years on two of the world’s leading energy efficiency programmes (in the UK and the US) and has also advised industry and international organisations on developing energy efficiency regulation. She has headed teams of experts developing analysis and legislation on TVs, consumer electronics and information technology.
Much of her work is focused on sustainability, energy and the environment, including facilitating on waste and circular economy for the European Commission and MCing the European Business Awards for the Environment.
Mia has visited waste treatment plants, recycling plants, sewage treatment plants and power stations. After a year spent visiting too many sewage treatment plants she decided to let go of her hiking boots!
Approach, Skills and Values
Mia’s approach is warm, friendly and professional, reflecting her skills and values. Her primary strengths are empathy and strategy (Gallup Strength test). Her business values underpin everything she does as well as supporting each other. They are:
- Authenticity and integrity;
- Humanness; and
- Excellence in delivery.
Giving back
Giving back has always been important to Mia. Alongside her career, since 2012, Mia has volunteered as a community and commercial mediator, initially in Camden and then in Wandsworth as part of an innovative model subsidising community mediation with commercial mediation. She also works on intergenerational matters.
Mia has worked on a number of projects for charities and NGOs pro-bono or for reduced fees. She donates a portion of her profits to Trees for the Future, a charity which helps plant trees.
Firm Description:
Mediation
Disputes are costly, taking time and money whilst damaging morale and ruining relationships. Mia is known for resolving difficult conflict. CEDR accredited, she mediates commercial and workplace matters, specialising in technology, start-ups, partnerships, energy and the environment. READ MORE
Facilitation
Consultation and inclusivity are essential for organisations to thrive. Being involved in the process makes people invested and committed to delivering results. Engaging, participative events and workshops lead to better conversations, better decisions, and better results. READ MORE
Coaching
Group, personal and corporate coaching help teams and individuals to overcome obstacles and reach their potential. As a trusted ally and confidante, Mia supports people in working better together and obtaining the results they most want. READ MORE
Speaking
A compelling and engaging speaker, Mia works closely with organisations to create and deliver talks that make a profound and sustained difference. Experienced and sought-after, she regularly speaks in corporate, personal development, and academic settings to exceptional feedback.READ MORE
Training
Mia develops bespoke training for a wide variety of audiences in both corporate and academic settings. Topics covered include mediation, conflict, difficult conversations, leadership, communication, team dynamics, workplace culture, diversity and inclusion, mental energy and creating change. Her style is interactive and she leaves participants with powerful practical tools. READ MORE
Consulting
You want your team to be as committed to your organisation as you are. But what can you do when they aren’t as motivated or efficient as you would like? An experienced outsider can help you pinpoint the cause, find a solution and get everyone on board. READ MORE
