About Nikki

As a child I lived in many countries before they were full of hotels and supermarkets and was immersed as only children can be in a kaleidoscope of cultures. I still remember vividly the deserts of Arabia, the jungles of central America and the bustle of African streets. These influenced my thinking and my eye. Later as an adult I have had many careers. Working in the city first as a commentator on foreign investment, later as a computer programmer, then later still when married and with children I developed a curiosity in how human relationships develop and why they sometimes fail. I noticed as an ante-natal teacher that those couples attending classes were often the best informed, so there was some deeper need being attended to in coming to be with others in the classes. A natural development to the work was to train and work as a Relate counsellor and then a psychotherapist. Latterly I have worked as a mediator in workplace mediation in local authorities and with family lawyers with divorcing couples and currently run action learning sets and self development workshops in organisations. In my work as a mediator and mentor I know that the most satisfying connections often come when both of the participants in the conversation actively work to appreciate the 'perfect' intention coming from the whole imperfect person sitting opposite them, understanding that they offer all that they have to offer, knowing that it may not be all that the other wishes for.

My greatest teachers in understanding what happens between people that we tend to call 'relationship', are my husband and my four children. We are that most modern of arrangements, the stepfamily, and in it, we have all learnt about how enriching differences can be if curiosity about another's perspective is the predominant characteristic. It is in that spirit that I now work in organisations. My strong belief is that whoever we are and whatever our personality, the most reliable path to true happiness and a deep feeling of purpose is in where and with whom we choose to practice our craft and make our friends.

In looking particularly at the section on colleagues, you will notice a huge variety of skills and types of work. I value each of those I work with for the quality of relationship that I have with them first and foremost.

An abiding love has been writing and photography through the years. If I had to characterise what attracts me, it is the music behind the words, what is going on behind the surface of most things, and what is often overlooked by the initial interest in what is apparent. Here then all is assembled. Each discipline borrows from the next.