Cilinnie Ngo-Pondi
๐ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฏ๐๐ถ๐น๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐๐๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ธ๐.I operate at the intersection of employment law, industrial relations, organisational governance, and cultural systems. My clients require structural clarity and a comprehensive reset of their employee relations architecture. I translate law into operational practice through governance frameworks that eliminate both compliance drift and the culture of fear that characterises procedurally rigid but culturally hollow ER systems.
My background combines LLM Employment Law, LLB (Hons.), Chartered Fellow CIPD, ACIArb, and CEDR-accredited mediation with over 25 years of experience.I specialise in strategic ER and IR within regulated, unionised environments including universities, NHS trusts, public bodies, and complex multi-union landscapes where governance rigour and cultural intelligence determine organisational resilience.
I support organisations with established trade-union partnerships and those newly entering industrial relations territory, providing diplomacy with backbone and governance with humanity across the maturity spectrum.My consultancy, The Good Work Lab, delivers diagnostics, governance frameworks, and system redesign through my proprietary Restorative Employee Relations framework, a legalโculture integrated approach grounded in Compassion, Leadership, Inclusivity, Psychological Safety, and Accountability.
Services include industrial relations maturity assessments, ER system audits, leadership capability mapping, and the design of restorative, lawful practices that reduce conflict, increase organisational trust, and create audit-ready governance infrastructure that withstands regulatory scrutiny and employment tribunal challenge.
Organisations navigating the impact of the Employment Rights Bill, preparing for recognition conversations, responding to rising employee voice, or rebuilding confidence in their ER function engage me for strategic partnership grounded in 25+ years of sector experience and measurable outcomes: 35โ60% case reduction, 50% faster resolution, and ยฃ60kโยฃ120k annual cost avoidance within 18โ24 months. I deliver structural intervention with quantified impact, not procedural adjustment with aspirational promises.
Justin Thomas
NEBOSH Diploma in Health and Safety, a level 6 qualification at degree level. CertIOSH. Level 3 Fire Risk Assessment qualification after 17 years in the Fire and Rescue Service and 10 years in industrial relations.
With strong presentation skills, IT skills, and analytical skills, and Certificate of Education in Law from The Open University, I deal effectively with grievance, disciplinary, capability, and sickness absence cases. I have experience in settlement of contract, dispute resolution, arbitration, and conciliation, and I strive to balance the needs of employers and employees through training, coaching, health, safety, and welfare, people management, well-being, and conflict resolution.
Using my comprehensive skills and experience in delivery and training dispute resolution and employee relations I work every day in the Cotswolds, West Midlands, Southwest and Wales to keep businesses functioning and profitable. I audit and assess the safety profile of businesses large, medium and small. I produce and publish audits and reports to improve the safety standing of the businesses and I produce clear action plans so the owners can easily identify what is required for full compliance, and how they can go above and beyond.
I have experience in negotiation, representation, case work, and case management, to advocate for the interests and rights of employers and employees in various sectors, including public and private, government and multinational with over 20 years of experience in this role.
Meet Us
Cilinnie and Justin sharing stories behind the mic every week.
