Diana Pound., CEnv, MIEEM, BSc, MSc. Director

Diana is a Chartered Environmentalist with qualifications in Environmental Science and Landscape Ecology, 15 years' experience in protected area management, and over 13 years' experience in designing, facilitating, and managing stakeholder dialogue.

In 1998 she initiated a successful stakeholder consensus building process.  This resolved conflict and led to the well supported management of a coastal and marine area.  This success convinced Diana of the benefits of well-designed stakeholder dialogue and so she started dialogue matters in 2000.

In 2004, in recognition of her work, she was invited to become an IUCN (Global Conservation Union) Commissioner (Commission on Education (Participation) and Communication).  She is regularly asked to speak at conferences and take part in national and international forums.  She is a keen advocate for the integrated and equitable Ecosystems Approach and pioneered using the approach for the integrated management of a protected area. She has written and contributed to numerous articles and publications.

Kathryn A Hardcastle Adv Cert App Sc BSc, Senior Associate

Kathryn has considerable experience in project implementation and management with particular strengths in community and stakeholder engagement.  Before returning to England, Kathryn worked in Australia for 15 years on water management.  She has an impressive track record in developing strong rapport across a diverse spectrum of the stakeholder community, particularly on difficult projects with strong stakeholder interest. 

Kathryn became an associate of dialogue matters in August of 2008 and is now our most senior associate trainer and facilitator. She also continues to consult to Syrinx Environmental (in Australia) on environmental investigation projects, sustainability initiative implementation and community and stakeholder consultation.

Jim White (Dip HE, BSc, PGCE), Associate

Jim has over 15 years’ experience of community engagement in environmental work, and stakeholder participation in the last five.

Previously involved in environmental management and conservation work as a countryside ranger, Jim has also worked as supervisor on an organic market garden, primary school teacher (Geography and Environmental Education specialism) and project manager with South West Forest (a national pilot for rural development forestry).

It was in this latter role that Jim was able to develop his interest in reconciling human needs with those of the environment through effective training in stakeholder dialogue techniques with Diana. Jim has been an Associate of dialogue matters since 2009 and is currently undertaking an MSc by correspondence with Bangor University.

Mark Goldthorpe MA, MSc, PG Diploma, BSc, Associate

Mark has twenty years’ experience of researching, developing and facilitating positive action on the challenges of sustainability and climate change.  With postgraduate qualifications in environmental management, policy studies and climate change, he has led many successful initiatives while working at the UK Climate Impacts Programme (now UKCIP) at the University of Oxford and Climate South East, as well as at the University of Exeter and the Environment Centre (tEC) in Southampton.  A prominent theme in his work has been establishing and sustaining partnerships between organisations and sectors, and collaborating with others to develop best practice, whether on adaptation to the impacts of a changing climate, waste minimisation, resource efficiency, environmental management systems or organisational change.

Mark initially trained as a facilitator in 2003 and has since used these skills in a variety of contexts and partnership approaches to the complexities, uncertainties and high stakes involved in decisions on climate change and sustainability. He became an associate of dialogue matters in December 2011.

Bryony Pound, Stakeholder Process Coordinator

Bryony started work for dialogue matters in spring 2010 working part time whilst studying for qualifications in Psychology.  She supports delivery of stakeholder workshops and training courses.   She is particularly skilful at helping events run smoothly through thorough preparation, handling logistics, and anticipating and meeting stakeholder and team members needs during workshops.  She has helped to deliver numerous training courses including for 30 people in Slovenia.  She has also ensured the smooth running of a variety of stakeholder workshops including high level and tense negotiation workshops with international stakeholders. 

Alison Kelly, Office Manager and Training Coordinator

Alison has worked for dialogue matters since 2007.  She is a valued member of staff working behind the scenes to run the office and handle all the administrative requirements of a small business. She handles all the organisation, logistics and bookings for our training courses and conferences. She also supports preparation for workshops and training courses.

Associates

Other dialogue matters associates include:

Jessica Bryson, Sarah Buckmaster, Diane Dumashie, Lucy Anne Bishop, Lisa Browning and Jackie Fisher.