Who We Are

Experts In Negotiation And Leadership Training

What do we do?

At the Centre for Negotiation and Leadership, we specialise in creating bespoke negotiation skills and leadership programs tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients. We offer support for organisations who are facing challenges and are in need of practical guidance, support and coaching to navigate negotiation processes and help conflict resolution successfully.

Through a combination of cutting-edge leadership development with advanced negotiation skills, we design customised training solutions that align with your organisation’s goals and challenges.

Our Core Offering

Vision

To promote the art and science of negotiation and develop transformative leaders for the benefit of society.

Mission

Our mission at the Centre for Negotiation and Leadership is to empower individuals and organisations with the skills and knowledge needed to lead with confidence and negotiate with integrity. Through innovative training, research, and practice, we aim to develop transformational leaders who drive meaningful change, foster collaboration, and shape a more inclusive society.

Values

Creativity: Generating new ideas, solutions, or approaches by thinking beyond traditional boundaries and combining imagination with innovation.
Curiosity: Learning, exploring, and understand new things, driven by an innate interest in discovering the unknown.
Excellence: Pursuing the highest quality of services, and performance.
Innovation: Encouraging creativity, continuous improvement, and the development of new ideas.
Integrity: Demonstrating honesty, transparency, and ethical behaviour in all actions and decisions.

Our Approach

Our approach includes personalised executive coaching, ensuring that each participant receives individualised support to strengthen their skills and achieve measurable growth. Whether you’re looking to enhance team dynamics, improve decision-making, or drive organisational change, our tailored programs provide the tools and strategies to empower leaders and negotiators to excel in today’s fast-paced environment.

The Centre for Negotiation and Leadership was founded by Enda Young through his belief in negotiation as an essential skill to resolve conflict and creative value for all leaders

Our Team

Enda Young

Founder and CEO

Enda Young is an expert in negotiation, leadership, mediation, and conflict resolution, with over 25 years of experience. As the founder of the Centre For Negotiation & Leadership and formerly the Managing Director of Mediation Northern Ireland, he has worked globally, delivering training and talks for major corporations and NGOs. He is an Adjunct Teaching Fellow and Programme Director on the Negotiating for Value programme at Trinity Business School and is a tutor and lecturer at Oxford’s Saïd Business School. A Faculty Director of the Certified International Negotiator programme in Singapore and former Programme Director at the Leadership Institute at Queen’s University Belfast.

Enda is a certified international mediator and executive coach, with credentials from Harvard and the International Coaching Federation and the International Mediation Institute. He regularly contributes to media and is committed to helping individuals and teams navigate challenging conversations effectively.

Find out more about Enda and connect with him on Linkedin

Associates

We build each programme around the unique needs of every client.

Our team of associate trainers, lectures and coaches have decades of real-world experience from around the world

Dr Michelle Murtagh

Dr. Michelle Murtagh

Michelle collaborates with C-Suite leaders to enhance strategic thinking and optimise workforce performance through systemic and cultural interventions. With over two decades of experience, Michelle has worked with top global companies, starting at PwC London, and later founding her own consultancy. She specialises in leadership development, talent assessment, and change management. Michelle also teaches Executive Education at Queen’s University Belfast and serves on executive coaching panels, delivering tailored coaching and transformative solutions across multiple industries.

Paul Fisher

Paul is the Programme Director of the Oxford Programme on Negotiation (OPN) at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, where he has played a pivotal role in its design and development since 2004. As an Associate Fellow at the school, Paul teaches negotiation, decision-making, and persuasion across a range of programmes, including the Oxford High Performance Leadership and Women Transforming Leadership Programmes.

Specialising in gender and negotiation, Paul also directs leadership programmes for prominent organisations like the UN World Food Programme and the Bank of Jamaica. He is involved in global teaching initiatives, including at the William J. Clinton Leadership Institute and as a Visiting Professor at Western University of Ukraine. Paul’s extensive experience in leadership development and negotiation makes him a trusted advisor to blue-chip organisations.

Joanne Kelly

Joanne is an accredited executive coach and leadership specialist with over 20 years of proven experience. In 2023, she was awarded Fellow Membership of the Association for Coaching, recognising her significant contributions to the profession. Joanne is renowned for her expertise in leadership development, particularly in empowering women to enhance their leadership skills and drive positive change.

Previously with the William J. Clinton Leadership Institute, Joanne facilitated executive education programmes, including MBA courses. She is also an advocate for diversity and inclusion, serving as an Assessor with Diversity Mark NI and a Women in Business facilitator. Joanne works with leaders from organisations such as Google, MetLife, and the Irish Defence Forces, helping them achieve sustainable, impactful results through her coaching and leadership programmes.

Kwame Christian

Kwame is a best-selling author, business lawyer, and the CEO and Founder of the American Negotiation Institute (ANI). Known for his expertise in negotiation, Kwame gained widespread recognition with his TEDxDayton talk and the release of his best-seller, Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life in 2018. He also hosts the world’s number one negotiation podcast, Negotiate Anything, which has over 5 million downloads globally.

Under his leadership, ANI has coached and trained Fortune 500 companies on negotiation strategies for corporate success. Kwame is the recipient of prestigious alumni awards from The Ohio State University, including the John Glenn College of Public Affairs Young Alumni Achievement Award and the Moritz College of Law Outstanding Recent Alumnus Award.

Dr Joshua Weiss

Dr. Joshua Weiss

Joshua specialises in negotiation and mediation at organisational, corporate, government, and international levels. An accomplished author, Dr. Weiss has published influential works including The Negotiator In You series and The Book of Real-World Negotiations. His upcoming book, Getting Back to the Table, focuses on reviving stalled negotiations.

He also writes children's books that teach conflict resolution skills, including the Emo and Chickie series and Dr. McFiddle’s Brilliant Book of Conflict Potions. Dr. Weiss has consulted with leading organisations such as Microsoft, Deloitte, and the United Nations. In 2018, he delivered a TED Talk on technology’s role in negotiation.

Tim Cullen MBE

Tim is an Associate Fellow of Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and the founder of the Oxford Programme on Negotiation. A globally recognised expert, Tim has taught negotiation programmes in over 25 countries and is a leading writer of negotiation role-play simulations. He also serves as a Professor at Peking University. Tim’s distinguished 21-year career at the World Bank included involvement in high-stakes global negotiations, specialising in complex international issues such as water management and hydropower investments. He later served as Senior Advisor for External and UN Affairs. Tim founded the Small Countries Financial Management Centre, supporting government financial sectors in developing nations. He was awarded an MBE in 2014 for his services to international financial management. Tim holds an MA from Trinity College Dublin and has completed advanced negotiation courses at Harvard.

Dr Marta Coelho

Dr. Marta Coelho

Marta is an Economist with a BSc in Economics and a PhD in Behavioural Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). She is a Professor and Consultant specialising in Negotiation and Influence. Since 2004, Marta has been a key faculty member at LSE, where she led a highly successful Negotiation course. She is also an Associate Fellow at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, contributing to the Oxford Programme on Negotiation.

Marta’s work in Negotiation and Decision Making, recognised by Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman in Thinking Fast and Slow, is central to her teaching and consulting. She has provided executive coaching and training for organisations like Equinor, the United Nations, and Adidas. Additionally, Marta has served as a Non-Executive Director of a global cork industry leader, where she chaired the ESG committee and was a member of the Audit Committee.

Dr. Gerry Gormley

Professor Gerry Gormley is a leading expert in Simulation at Queen’s University Belfast. His work focuses on immersive learning to equip practitioners with the skills needed to handle complex, high-pressure situations. With over 100 peer-reviewed publications and numerous international awards, Professor Gormley’s research is instrumental in advancing educational approaches to prepare individuals for emotionally charged, real-world encounters.

Dr Paul Murphy

Dr. Paul Murphy

Dr Paul Murphy is an Associate Professor at Queen’s University Belfast who specialises in simulation-based education and training. His research focuses on how students and professionals can be better trained to engage in challenging situations by constructing, delivering, and evaluating scenario-based workshops that are designed to simulate real-world situations.

Dorcas Crawford

Dorcas is a conflict management consultant. Having practiced as a solicitor in a leading Belfast Law Firm for over 30 years, whilst also practicing as a mediator, she now provides mediation and facilitation services through The Better Way’, a specialist workplace conflict management service. She delivers a range of facilitated workshops for business leaders and to Public and 3rd Sector organisations to help them develop competence and confidence in conflict management and building a healthy workplace culture using mediation skills. Dorcas is passionate about helping organisations to manage conflict in a proactive way to avoid the financial and human cost that unmanaged conflict brings. A TEDx speaker, Dorcas is also a regular speaker at business events and conferences. Dorcas is President of Lean In Ireland and a committed supporter of Bowel Cancer UK. She is also an ambassador for Community Foundation NI and NOW Group.

Serge Stroobants

Serge is the Director for Europe and the MENA region, as well as the Global Director for Security, Defence, and Intelligence at the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). He is a former Colonel in the Belgian Armed Forces, with academic specialisations in political sciences, international relations, security and defence, global risk analysis, foresight, and crisis management. He holds degrees from the Belgian Royal Military Academy, the Free University of Brussels, Université Jean Moulin Lyon III (France), the German General Staff College, and Vesalius College Brussels. In addition to his role at IEP, Serge is the Founder and Executive Director of BANTS Consulting, a strategic security consultancy focusing on open-source intelligence (OSINT) and cybersecurity. He is also a visiting professor at institutions including the Riga Graduate School of Law and Blanquerna University in Barcelona, where he teaches courses on peace, security, global terrorism, and radicalisation.

Shaun Pendry

Shauns leadership journey began during his 17 year career as an officer in the British Army. There he led soldiers, civil servants and staff drawn from a variety of government and non-government agencies. This was carried out in a variety of locations across the world. These leadership experiences have provided him with the real, first-hand leadership knowledge, skills and insights that his clients want. As a Senior Manager in PwC and a Programme Director with the William J Clinton Leadership Institute he translated these experiences into the business world where he has specialised in the support and development of leaders and teams. For 35 years he has worked across the spectrum of business sectors supporting his clients as they face their leadership challenges. In 2018 Shaun founded Pendry Leadership ltd. This venture allows him to continue to devise and deliver bespoke, high impact leadership development solutions for global leaders.

Owen Darbishire

Owen has been a tenured professor at Oxford University for almost 30 years, specialising in Negotiations. Having also been in the United States and Germany, he has a well-founded international reputation as an insightful and practical expert on negotiations, collective bargaining and decision making where he leverages his academic expertise. He is an outstanding and highly sought after executive education teacher and consultant to dozens of international companies. These have ranged from ThyssenKrupp and BMW to Equinor and Ikea, from Rolls Royce to the Qatar Foundation and the International Red Cross. Owen has won multiple teaching awards, is the Director of the Oxford Programme on Negotiation, runs the MBA and EMBA Negotiations teaching at Oxford. He has served roles such as Vice-Master of Pembroke College, Oxford and Chair of Faculty of the Saïd Business School. He advises on negotiations from the simple to the complex.

Dr. Juan Diaz-Prinz

Juan is an accomplished mediation and negotiation expert with over 25 years’ experience supporting peace processes in Europe, Africa, and Latin America. Recently a Senior Mediation Adviser at the United Nations, he provided strategic advisory support on inclusive peacebuilding, authored influential UN publications, and developed mediation training for international stakeholders. Previously, as Acting Director at the United States Institute of Peace, he led the Inclusive Peace Processes team, directly supporting mediation efforts in high-conflict contexts such as Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Venezuela. His extensive background includes leading integrative mediation initiatives across the Western Balkans, serving as an international mediator in Bosnia & Herzegovina, and teaching mediation courses at prominent universities. Juan holds a PhD in International Relations and specialises in transformative dialogue, conflict resolution training, and inclusive peace strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is negotiation?

Negotiation is the process of communication between two or more parties with the goal of reaching a mutual agreement or resolving a conflict. It involves understanding the interests of all parties, exchanging information, and exploring win-win solutions that satisfy the interests and needs of everyone involved. Effective negotiation focuses on creating value, building strong relationships, and addressing both shared and differing interests to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. Mastering negotiation skills is essential for professionals looking to enhance conflict resolution and drive successful outcomes in business, personal, and organisational settings.

At the Centre for Negotiation and Leadership we believe negotiation is a critical skill in both business and everyday life, enabling individuals to create value, resolve conflicts, and build lasting relationships. In a business context, effective negotiation can unlock new opportunities, foster collaboration, and drive mutually beneficial agreements that enhance organisational success. For leaders, negotiation is essential for managing teams, navigating complex decisions, and aligning diverse interests toward common goals.

Negotiation as a conflict resolution skill empowers individuals to handle disputes constructively, whether in personal relationships or professional settings. Mastering negotiation allows anyone to communicate more clearly, manage emotions, and find creative solutions, making it a vital skill for leaders and individuals alike in today’s fast-paced and interconnected world.

We believe leadership is a social process. It is the ability to inspire and influence others toward achieving shared goals while fostering innovation, collaboration, and personal growth. Effective leaders create environments where individuals thrive, teams work cohesively, and organisations achieve sustainable success. Leadership is about cultivating a culture of trust, accountability, and purpose to ensure organisations and teams have long-lasting impact. Leadership is not just about managing people but fostering innovation, cultivating a strong organisational culture, and adapting to change in ways that create value and drive sustainable success.

What is the relationship between negotiation and leadership?

Effective leaders must be skilled negotiators to build consensus, resolve conflicts, and drive collaboration. Clear communication, emotional intelligence, and the ability to influence and inspire others to achieve shared goals are at the core skills for both leaders and negotiators. Strong negotiation skills help leaders create value and guide their teams through complex decisions.

Negotiation and leadership are deeply interconnected, as both require the ability to influence, communicate effectively, and build strong relationships. Great leaders are skilled negotiators who can align diverse interests, manage conflict, and guide teams toward shared goals. Through negotiation, leaders foster collaboration, create win-win solutions, and drive positive outcomes, making it a key tool for successful leadership in any organisation.

Mutual Goals: Both leadership and negotiation aim to align the interests of all parties to achieve shared objectives.

Collaboration: Effective leaders and negotiators focus on collaboration, seeking solutions that benefit everyone involved rather than one-sided outcomes.

Clear Communication: Success in both areas depends on clear, open communication to understand needs and convey ideas effectively.

Conflict Resolution: Strong leaders and negotiators manage conflicts by finding common ground and crafting win-win solutions.

Emotional Intelligence: Both leadership and negotiation require emotional intelligence to build trust, foster relationships, and motivate others.

Problem-Solving: Leaders and negotiators take a problem-solving approach, overcoming challenges and generating creative solutions to achieve success.

Long-Term Success: Both disciplines prioritise long-term relationships and sustainable outcomes over short-term gains.

Transform Your Leadership and Negotiation Skills Today

Unlock tailored solutions that empower your team with advanced strategies to excel in leadership and negotiation.

At the Centre for Negotiation and Leadership we believe in the importance of positive mental health for negotiators and leaders.

We have chosen Lighthouse as our charity partner, as we feel it’s important to support their essential work. Lighthouse is a charity committed to the prevention of suicide and self-harm; the promotion of positive mental health; and the provision of support services to families who have been bereaved due to suicide.

We will support Lighthouse by offering their team ongoing support with pro bono coaching and training