Management Team

Consensio was founded by Anna Shields and Alex Efthymiades.

Our team is comprised of a diverse range of mediators, trainers, coaches, facilitators and conflict resolution professionals.

Alex Efthymiades - Director

Alex has ten years of domestic and international experience in the field of organisational conflict resolution, mediation and training. Alex trained as a community mediator in the South Bronx, New York, and made the transition to workplace mediation when she moved to London. Prior to establishing Consensio, Alex was Director of Training Services for a prominent London-based mediation provider. In this role, she was responsible for developing and delivering a wide range of conflict resolution services across the public and private sectors.

Prior to moving to London, Alex was employed by the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development in Geneva. She has worked in the field for one of Honduras' leading women's rights organisations, where she developed and delivered organisational conflict resolution training courses and workshops in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and Choluteca.

Alexandra holds two Masters degrees: an M.A. in Organisational Psychology, with a concentration in conflict resolution, from Teachers College, Columbia University (New York); and an M.Sc. in Development Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. She can deliver organisational conflict resolution and mediation services as well as training courses in English, German and Portuguese.

Anna Shields - Director

Anna is an experienced mediator and trainer who combines a deep understanding of conflict resolution with a commercial background. Prior to establishing Consensio, Anna was Director of Mediation Services for a prominent London-based mediation provider. In this role, she was responsible for coordinating the mediation service and for developing and delivering a wide range of conflict resolution services across the public and private sectors.

Anna's interest in conflict resolution dates back to the early 1990s, when she studied International History and Politics at Leeds University. Anna has acted as an intermediary throughout her career, having started professional life in executive search. She has worked for Heidrick and Struggles and was also a founding partner at Hammond Haspel, a leading City firm.

A number of years ago, Anna was able to put a name to her interest in working with individuals in difficult situations: mediation. Anna trained as a community mediator in London and then made the transition into workplace mediation. Anna's practical experience is backed by theoretical thinking: she has studied both mediation and coaching at University. Most recently, she undertook a one-year postgraduate course in Conflict Resolution and Mediation Studies at Birkbeck, University of London, where she gained a Distinction.

Anna is a certified mediator with the International Mediation Institute.