Menzies Distribution Limited, a company incorporated under the Companies Acts in England and Wales (registered number 01430241), registered office 2 World Business Centre Heathrow, Newall Road, London Heathrow Airport Hounslow, TW6 2SF.

Private & Confidential

Mr H S Bhurji EDSL

41 Hanover Road Birmingham

B65 9EB

29 March, 2018

Harvinder

Reference for an employment workplace mediation

Having taken over a company, the business inherited a long-standing employment dispute with one of its

directors. Whereby he was promised an increased salary and higher position.

The business tried to address the director’s issues for several months, leading to him raising a grievance,

which was appealed which was not upheld. Unfortunately, the director then threatened legal action.

Too much of the business’s time was being taken up in manpower and resources, especially as we felt we had no case to answer and had done more than required to address these concerns.

I was impressed with how quickly you responded and arranged the mediation, having contacted you on

the 8th December 2017, the mediation took place on the 19th.

At the mediation you assisted in generating various options so that a solution could be obtained. You

handled a very emotionally delicate dispute, effectively, it did not help, that the employee had not sought legal advice, which I believe made the mediation tougher on you, when highlighting the evidential burden,

he faced.

An amicable solution was found, which we are grateful for. I would be happy to endorse your employment

mediation services and would recommend you to other HR professionals

Yours sincerely

Kay Simpson MCIPD

Human Resources Director

Menzies Distribution Ltd 2 Lochside Avenue

Edinburgh Park Edinburgh EH12 9DJ

T: +44 (0) 131 467 8070

www.menziesdistribution.com

17 May 2017

Mr Harvinder Singh Bhurji

LLB (Hons) QDR (M) MCIArb MCMI Afil

Director, Commercial Mediator & Qualified Dispute Resolver

Effective Dispute Solutions

41 Hanover Road

Birmingham

B65 9EB

Dear Mr Bhurji

Workplace – employment mediation testimonial

Thank you for mediating for our organisation, we had two employees who had a number of issues with one another, stemming from a number of new changes which had been implemented, one being a senior member of the organisation.

Lack of trust, suspicion and alleged ineffective communication were all key drivers which were fueling the dispute, alongside some underlying issues.

You used a great deal of tact, diplomacy as well as being very empathetic to one of the employees who was extremely emotional, facilitating the moving of the employees from the past to the future, overall, they found the process useful and constructive and you managed to resolve this year long dispute.

I would of course happily recommend you to other organisations.

Yours sincerely John Woolley Chief Executive Officer Head of People, Culture & Governance

The Woodland Academy Trust A company registered in England and Wales. Company number 7694050

Registered address: Northumberland Heath Primary School, Wheelock Close, Erith DA8 1JE

Mr. Bhurji LLB (Hons) QDR (M) MCIArb MCMI Afil

Workplace Mediator & Qualified Dispute Resolver

EDSL, 41 Hanover Road

West Midlands

B65 9EB Friday 21st July 2017

Dear Harvinder

30th June 2017 Workplace mediation

I contacted you on the 22nd June 2017 with regards to a complex dispute we had at the trust between some of our staff members.

Due to the complex nature of this dispute, we required a mediator who not only had extensive workplace mediation experience, but one who understood employment law and the way that an employment tribunal operates, as well who could mediate at such short notice for us, essentially within eight days.

A clear the air meeting was long overdue, as both employees would need to work alongside each other again, both of whom were apprehensive to do so, within five hours, you were able dispelled all the issues that each employee had with one another, so they were able to communicate effectively.

A lot of the issues were simply down to misunderstanding and miscommunication, which you coached both employees through strategically, whereby they departed with key information the other was unaware of, had misunderstood at the appropriate times through your guidance. By doing this, you were able to facilitate the employees to agree a work plan going forward as well as what they both must do going forward, should any further issues arise.

We were impressed that not only did you resolve this matter within five hours, as it had been going on for over half a year, you got to us on time despite all the traffic, all the way from Birmingham, managed to arrange the mediation within two days and then liaised with my colleague whilst I was on leave to firm up the final arrangements

We would recommend EDSL to other organisations who require workplace mediation, we were impressed by your references, and now we know why those organisations had written such glowing references about you.

We will certainly be engaging your services in the future if the need for mediation should arise again.

Yours sincerely,

Karys Eagle Recruitment and HR Woodland Academy Trust

The Woodland Academy Trust Putting children at the heart of all we do

Executive Principal: Mrs Angela Barry Executive Head Teacher for School Improvement: Mr Phil Powell

Website: www.woodlandacademytrust.co.uk

victimsupport Please respond to: Yvonne Murray

HR Business Partner Victim Support

Tel: 07507847678 E-mail: yvonne.murray@victimsupport.org.uk

1st March 2013

Mr Bhurji LLB (Hons) QDR (M) MCIArb MCMI Effective Dispute Solutions Limited 41 Hanover Road Birmingham B659EB

Dear Mr Bhurji

Re: Workplace Mediation

I am writing regarding your recent involvement with Victim Support and the help which you gave us by providing a mediation service within our organisation.

As you know, I had been experiencing some difficulties which were occupying a disproportionate amount of my time and which certainly required the intervention of an independent organisation in order to achieve an amicable resolution. I am pleased to tell you that your mediation has proved successful and that there has been positive feedback from the individuals concerned.

I would like to thank you and am grateful for your urgent attention to my request for assistance. Should the need arise, I would be happy to utilise your services again.

Yours sincerely

Yvonne Murray HR Business Partner, Central England and Wales

From: Lisa Rodger [mailto:@clerksroom.com] Sent: 02 April 2017 23:43 To: Lisa Rodger Subject: Case: Confidential v Ministry Of Defence - How did we do?

Case Reference: Confidential v Ministry Of Defence

Case Date: 27th – 31st March 2017 Member: Harvinder Singh Bhurji

Feedback received

We have received the following feedback from Mark.Oley@nasuwt.org

Ease of booking and administration? 9

Were the facilities satisfactory on the day? 9

Was the mediator prepared to your satisfaction? 9

On the day, was the mediator on time and available for discussion? 10

If follow up was required, was it completed OK? 9

Were you happy with the fees charged, were they value for money? 10

How good at mediation do you think the mediator was? 10

How do you rate the mediator's communications with you and your clients? 9

If agreement was reached, how significant was the mediator's input in helping 9

the parties to resolve their dispute?

Would you use this mediator again? 10

Comments:

Mr Singh dealt very well with a very complex and difficult case where there were serious issues to be resolved. Many thanks,

Clerksroom

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IISrFS

SHROPSH!RE iNDEPENDENTFINANCIAT SERVICES tTD

Green Lone,Off Upper Rood,Shrewsbury SY3 9JH

Heod Office: 01743 364381Direct Diql: 01691 6523'15Heod Office Emoil: forswunk@blconnect.comDirect Emoil: monether@blconnecl.com

Director: Mrs Rosemory HeoversedgeBSclHon, FPFS Chortered Finonciol Plonnor

Adviser: Mrs Elizobeth Monether DipPFS

6rh October,2016

Dear Harvinder

Unpaid consultant invoice, company acquisition, business dispute

Harvinder you were vital in reaching an agreement, which you somehow got us to withintwo and a half hours, thank you for mediating for me on Tuesday 27th September 2016,it is now finally over and done with and I can move on with my life.

I engaged in an oral contract with a business owner, with the intention of taking overand buying their business once I had a full understanding of the whole operation and ineffect how the business worked, its clients, turnover and profit potential.

lnitially all thal was originally agreed transpired, without issue, however a number ofdiscussions, agreement changes led to a series of disputes whereby I could no longerdeploy my said expertise for this business.

I attended with my husband, it was very frustrating, as the would-be defendant still justwent around and around in circles, to any of the questions posed to him. I am not quitesure what you did or said to him in private, but it certainly worked, finally he started tomake offers and to negotiate, which led to an amount which I could agree to. I wouldhave no issue in recommending your services to others.

Yours sincerely

4** lr?oullilMrs. Elizabeth Monether

o Aurho.i..d ond r.gulor.d by rh. tinonciot Condu.r Aurtroriry t{o 602476.Ragistered ii Englond ond Woles R6sisr€,ed Numb6, ,t644806 Regire,6d oddreB 05 dbove

Mr Bhurji LLB (Hons) ODR (M) MClArb MCMI AfilCommercial MediatorEffective Dispute Solutions Limited41 Hanover RoadBirming ham865 gEB

--7

On departing I invoiced the company for a substantlal amount, going into the thousands,which was not paid. I chased it several times with the would-be defendant, which for awhole year was met with complete and utter resistance, solicitors were instructed, andprior to issuing a claim I decided to try mediation.

DipPFS

Harvinder S Bhurji

Mediation Director

Effective Dispute Solutions

41 Hanover Road

B65 9EB Monday 22nd May 2017

Harvinder

Re: Workplace Mediation Reference

I am grateful for your mediation services. I contacted you on the 10th May 2017 and within a few days you had the mediation set up, to include liaising with me over the weekend to ensure all was

in place. On the 18th you mediated, I appreciate you doing so, at such short notice. The Trustees

and I wish to place on record our thanks for helping to put this sensitive dispute ‘to bed’ in less than one day, especially as it had been going on for a considerable period of time.

As we discussed there were allegations of bullying and negligence as a result of a manager

whistleblowing. This then led to the manger making a formal complaint against a senior member of our organisation.

This then took up an enormous amount of my time, as well as that of my colleagues to investigate,

whereby after the investigation, both employees were still unhappy with the other. We really

needed a third independent party to intervene, and I am glad we came to you, as not only were

you the first to respond to our enquiry unlike some of your competitors, some who did not even

respond, but as pre-mentioned you promptly set up the mediation and more importantly got the

parties to settle.

I am happy to endorse your services, and found that you were value for money also, I would hope

other organisations can benefit from your mediation services, as we did.

Yours sincerely

William Parkinson

CWYMCA Vice Chair

YMCA Coventry and Warwickshire Endeavour Court

20 Chelmarsh

Daimler Green

Coventry CV6 3LB

www.ymca-cw.org.uk

Registered Charity No. 1100493 Registered Social Landlord No. H 4433 Registered Company in England No. 4644358